CHURCHES TEAM UP TO FIGHT DRUGS

The Niagara region ranks number one in drug use among teenagers according
to a Welland pastor.

Mark Brule - pastor at Wellspring Community Church - says according to
statistics from the Canadian Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, South
Central Ontario region - which includes Niagara - has the highest
percentage of users (Grades 7-12) in every category of drugs. This includes
alcohol, marijuana, crystal meth and cocaine.

Brule and a group of his colleagues want this to stop.

"These statistics are very alarming," he said.

Brule, Dave Anderson from Elisha House, Carl Matthews from Open Arms
Mission and Ryan Braam from Grace Christian Reformed Church along with two
other pastors will be holding a session called How to Drug Proof Your Kids,
at the Welland Civic Square on June 16 and 17.

The session will be open to 20 sets of parents from across the city and
will discuss a number of ways to prevent teens from getting involved with
drugs, or get them off drugs.

"It's critical that we see the parents and help the parents," Brule said.

Matthews and Brule are both self-admitted former drug users. Matthews says
one of the major reasons for a high number of drug users is a lack of
activities.

"I believe there isn't a lot of things to do," he said. "Boredom actually
opens the door to drugs."

Brule says there are a number of reasons including boredom, peer pressure,
stress, curiosity and the "attitude a city has about itself."

"We've had a low self esteem about ourselves," he said. "There is a shift
in that."

The program that will be used was developed in Australia by an organization
called Focus on the Family. It's currently used in a number of countries
around the world.

Anderson says lecturing teenagers about drugs doesn't work. He says parents
need to discuss their experiences with their kids.

"We need to communicate with our kids," said the father of five.

Brule says the reason they are holding the first session now, is because
this is the time when Grade 8 students are likely to start experimenting.

"Between Grade 8 and 9 is often the discovery stage,"Brule said.

He is hopeful that this will deter some youngsters from getting involved
with drugs when they enter high school.

He says they are planning more sessions in the fall. Brule would like to
run another event around the same time teenagers start school in September.

The group is hopeful the program will become a staple. Brule says all of
the members of the group are experience facilitators. The cost for the
event is $15 per person and the group has partnered with the City of
Welland. To participate in the program call 905-788-3800. Only the first 20
will be accepted and then there will be a waiting list.