DRUG PROGRAM DARES PARENTS TO BE SMARTER

Parents have even more reason to be concerned that their child is
experimenting with illicit drugs like marijuana, mushrooms and
cocaine, according to a local drug prevention officer.

Drugs are getting stronger and more prevalent, said RCMP Cst. Geoff
Carpenter of the DARE program.

"In this area alcohol will always be there," Carpenter said. "I also
think marijuana use is growing and there is a small element that use
crack and cocaine."

Crystal meth is not in widespread use in southern Alberta, he added.

"I've heard of crystal meth and mushrooms (being used locally), but I
believe crystal meth is almost non-existent," Carpenter said.
Carpenter will hold a three-day session for parents interested in
learning more about drugs and how to discuss drug use with their
children later this month.

The DARE program for parents will cover topics like current trends in
the drug culture, identifying the signs that your child may be using
drugs and how to discuss drugs with children.

Carpenter said parents should be aware that the drugs of today aren't
the same as the drugs in circulation 20 years ago.

For example, the potency of marijuana has increased 16 times since
the 1970s, Carpenter said.

"The effects are more powerful," he explained. "We tend, as humans,
to want to be quicker and stronger and faster and our brains feed on that."

Parents need to show even more interest in their children as they
move into their early teens and keep a close eye on any changes in
their attitude, clothing and friends, Carpenter said.

Being a friend to their children rather than being a father or mother
is a common mistake parents make, he added.

"If parents are using drugs like alcohol, marijuana or tobacco, for
example, and they are a friend to their child then often they want to
get involved in that lifestyle," he said. "All children need
structure in terms of rules and guidelines and they have to
understand there are always consequences or else they will begin to
make poor choices in all walks of life."

Carpenter said during the three DARE sessions parents will also be
able to tell their own stories and exchange ideas from their own experiences.

At the first DARE parents program held in High River in March,
parents with children of all ages and experience attended the
meetings, Carpenter said.

"Some with young children wanted to know how to deal with the issue
in the future, some were in the midst of it and others had already
dealt with it," he said.

The first of three two-hour sessions will be held May 23 at the
Okotoks Health and Wellness Centre starting at 7 p.m.

Subsequent sessions will be held May 29 and June 5. To enroll call
Carpenter at 601-1616.