IT AIN'T FUNNY

It's funny how some words take on different meanings with the passing of time!

Take the word "gay" for example. There was a time when it was perfectly
normal to say that you were "happy and gay." But that's changed. Now most
of us will use another expression such as we're "happy and full of fun" or
just "happy and happy" rather than use the "g" word.

I remember back in the 1950s and early '60's when we left home it was by
boat because that was the mode of travel for us islanders. One of the
regular passenger boats was one called the "Gay Rambler." I have a funny
feeling that today that boat would have been long since renamed. Probably
to the "Happy Wanderer" or the "Merry Rover" or something like that!

Remember when the word "tweak" was the action used by your mother or
grandmother if you weren't paying attention, particularly at church? They'd
reach out and with forefinger and thumb give your ear a smart little nip or
"tweak." It was enough to get your attention - your full attention - so
that you behaved as you should.

But today that word "tweak", too, has taken on another meaning. It's really
the same action by reaching and picking with a sharp pull but this time
it's not funny. No way, blue jay! "Tweaking" is one of the possible side
effects that comes with the use of the drug crystal meth. Sometimes when an
individual is coming down from an overdose of meth, he has the feeling and
belief that spiders are crawling over his flesh - and this could be
anywhere on his body. This causes the person to "tweak" or pick at the
spot, an action which is highly concentrated and continuous. Even after the
tweaking opens a sore, the tweaking will continue until there is a gaping
wound - and the action still continues. Frightening.

For the unenlightened, crystal meth is short for crystal methamphetamine -
and most of you, like myself, are still unenlightened because that word is
just too big and complicated. It's like the young student told his teacher
when asked to spell the word Mesopotamia - "it can't be spelled, sir!" was
the answer. But, accept the fact that it indeed is a word and that it
stands for something you'd rather not hear about and certainly not come in
contact with.

Crystal meth, for short, is the street drug which today is seemingly
getting the most attention, and, sad to say, is getting the attention
particularly of youth. And it's dangerous. Highly dangerous. What is worse,
some of the so-called lesser drugs, such as marijuana, are often laced with
meth and the user is totally unaware.

Professionals tell us that you may use crystal meth once and get away with
it - use it the second time, and you're hooked. And it's frightening.

How dangerous? The Internet tells us that crystal meth use "is associated
with numerous serious physical problems. The drug can cause rapid heart
rate, increase blood pressure and do damage to the small blood vessels in
the brain - which can lead to stroke. Chronic use of the drug can result in
inflammation of the heart lining. Overdoses can cause hyperthermia
(elevated body temperature), convulsions and death."

And if that's not enough, individuals who use crystal meth also may have
"episodes of violent behaviour, paranoia, anxiety, confusion and insomnia.
The drug can produce psychotic symptoms that persist for months or years
after an individual has stopped using the drug."

Those who inject the drug open themselves to further complications. And it
ain't funny.

Just recently here in Twillingate a joint effort by groups of concerned
adults presented an addictions program through the elementary school. And
the program, it is understood, was instituted to a large extent because of
the concern with the growing prevalence of crystal meth in today's society.
The program consisting of messages from students, RCMP and addictions
counsellors should have been made mandatory for everyone - every chick and
child and grandmother - to see.

The program, called "Forever Free," had the honor choir of Twillingate
Island Elementary introducing the program with an impressive 30-minute
demonstration of talent. They started and ended with a pledge to remain
"forever free" of drugs and alcohol and they gave their reasons in song and
dialogue why they had chosen that stand. Yet, we know from past experiences
what will happen to a number of them, too, by the time they reach their
mid-teens, if not earlier.

The answer in attempting to avert that scenario, I would suggest, is the
provision of far more role models, and I mean good role models who just
don't adhere to the "do as I tell you" approach but actually live it. Those
models along with more education such as was provided through Forever Free
should help those young people face what lies ahead of them with the will
and self esteem to handle wisely the situations that will undoubtedly
confront them.

Otherwise, there will be a lot of heartache. Believe me, it ain't funny!