HIGH SCHOOL PARENTS GET A DOSE OF REALITY AT DRUG TALK

In a no-holds barred manner, substance abuse counsellor Norbert
Georges, delivered a poignant and at times haunting message to parents
in attendance at the Mother Teresa High School Substance Abuse
Awareness evening on Tues., Mar.10.

Although the gymnasium in no way reflected a packed house, the close
to 25 parents that did attend went home not only more educated about
the facts of substance abuse and their youth, but stunned at the facts
and statistics.

George's power point presentation was at times graphic - an effective
tool to "shake up" students and their families about the harsh
realities of drinking and driving and the cycle of substance abuse.

"I'm here because I care," said the former paramedic.

"I'm here because I don't want you to end up underneath the blue,
green, or yellow body blanket. That's what they'll throw over you."

Using both parents and youth in a demonstration of the "high cycle",
George's information was delivered in a simple, easy to understand
manner.

"Talk to your kids about drugs and alcohol," he said.

"Parents are always asking themselves what they are doing
wrong.

I simply tell them this - find out, talk to your child and ask
questions. They'll just rebel if you tell them, 'don't drink and
drive.' What you have to say is - 'it's okay not to drink; it's okay
not to use drugs, it's okay to say no."

Georges explained that many teens feel using alcohol and drugs is
expected of them. "They don't want to drink. They don't even like it.
It's the peer pressure."

Addiction is the disease of the feelings and the downward spiral
follows a pattern of four stages.

At Stage 1, parents will not know their child has an addiction
problem.

This is where mood swings come into play. At stage 2, the child is
good at hiding their problem and although everything will look fine,
they are seeking the high. Stage 3 - the child's grades may be
slipping. Preoccupation or obsession comes into play. Stage 4 they are
using just to feel normal, but their brain has built up a tolerance to
the alcohol or drugs and this is where trouble starts.

The cycle is comprised of a revolving door of drug use that goes from
pain to normal to high, with normal eventually being bypassed altogether.

"By the time you come across your child's drugs or alcohol, they have
reached the Stage 3 level.

They become sloppy.

Perhaps their personal hygiene has declined. They are skipping school
or work. Seem angry and moody.

They are bringing alcohol or drugs to school or work with them. The
pattern becomes exhausting. They find they can't get high anymore and
have to use more and more. If no intervention takes place at this
point, they go beyond Stage 4 - overdose death," explained Georges.
"It is the worst nightmare of a parent - a knock on the door.
Policemen at 3:00 a.m., and a trip to the morgue to identify their
child.

"I don't want you to end up here!" said Georges, pointing to a slide
of a body in a morgue." While pointing to a disturbing, graphic slide
of a mangled vehicle involved in a drinking and driving collision,
Georges said, "we're not born winners; we're not born losers; we're
born choosers.

Don't choose death.

I'm just a paramedic that doesn't want this to happen to
you."

Georges explained to parents that drinking and driving and substance
abuse are not the problems - they are simply symptoms of their problem.

"Something is causing your children to drink and take drugs -
depression, anxiety, anger.

There is something under there and you must sit down and figure it
our. Show your kids that you can talk to them without getting angry,"
he said. "My advice to parents: "let your kids be who they are, as
long as they are not hurting themselves or anybody - fine."

Georges then used volunteers from the audience to demonstrate the four
levels of addiction and the cycle of the high.

"Do you just go out and decide to become an addict? Somebody has to
feed it to you first.

One hit of crystal meth and you will be addicted from the get-go,"
said Georges. "Addiction is the disease of the feelings - Stage 1 -
learning the mood swings. 2. seeking the high. 3. preoccupation or
obsession. 4. using to feel normal. In other words, to get rid of
their pain, they self-medicate."

"Our focus was to present topics of interest to parents," said Mary
Jean McAleer, organizer and parent council representative. "The kids
don't want to be shielded from reality.

They want to learn the truth and he delivered an incredible, factual
presentation. The kids were mezmerized. The morning seminar delivered
to students was so well received. It was incredible. By the end of the
seminar, some 30 students, mainly males, approached Norbert and wanted
to shake his hand and thank him. Anumber of girls wanted to speak to
him personally as well. The students felt safe and comfortable with
him since there is the element of anonymity. He doesn't know them and
they don't know him. They felt a real connection with him and the kids
need that."