CDHS STUDENTS GET THE STRAIGHT GOODS ON DRUG AND ALCOHOL
USE

Campbellford - "They're getting the goods from the right people," said
Jeffrey Stewart, principal of Campbellford District High School.

He was talking about a series of drug education and awareness
information sessions called Positive Decisions, Positive Choices that
was held Jan. 5 at the high school for the Grade 9 students.

The brainchild of the Trent Hills Community Policing Committee, the
event was so successful in its first year that the decision was made
to hold it again, this time with a few changes as a result of student
input.

"The interactive activities are new this year," explained Janice
Allen, a member of the policing committee.

The presenters not only talked about the dangers of substance abuse,
current laws, what is happening in Northumberland County, and
treatment and support options, they also engaged the students in a
number of activities. The Northumberland OPP demonstrated breathalyzer
tests using student volunteers, the Four Counties Addiction Services
Team (FOURCAST) showed the recovery position for someone thought to
have overdosed on drugs or alcohol, and Rebound Child and Youth
Services Northumberland gave the teens goggles that simulated what
their vision would be at various levels of intoxication.

"These people here today are the experts," Stewart said. "The students
might say they are informed when asked but what they know is mostly
rumour and innuendo. These experts can talk to the kids and that's
something that is very real to them. This day is important so the
students can make informed decisions.

Fourcast addictions counsellor Amanda Bongard put questions to the
students to make them think about the ramifications of using drugs or
alcohol. She got their attention with photos of celebrities whose
lives have been affected by substance abuse, such as singer Amy
Winehouse who is addicted to crack, and the late Heath Ledger, the
Australian actor who died of an overdose on prescription drugs. She
explained how addiction develops, describing how people can go from
experimental use to recreational use to becoming totally dependent on
drugs or alcohol, and then she spoke about the consequences.

Stephanie Ratz, a health promoter with the Haliburton Kawartha Pine
Ridge District Health Unit, focused on the many drugs that are
available, including everyday substances such as caffeine, alcohol,
and over-the-counter drugs. She brought with her samples of caffeine
drinks, Gatorade and Red Bull, an energy drink popular with kids.

"Alcohol is the most common drug used by teenagers," she said. It
slows down the heart rate and "your entire central nervous system."

Ratz gave the students some statistics to think about, such as the
fact that more teens die each year as a result of road crashes than
any other cause of death.

"Approximately 40 per cent of teens who were killed in a motor vehicle
had been drinking alcohol," she said. "Three-quarters of these teen
fatalities had blood-alcohol concentrations over the legal limit of
.08," she said.

Other partners in the special initiative included Trent Hills Police
Services, Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board, Haliburton
Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit, and the Centre for Addiction
and Mental Health (CAMH).

For student Jonah Allen-McLean, the event had an impact. "It's good
for awareness," he said.

Cole Mahoney having experts come to the high school was "a good way to
learn the consequences of using drugs and/or alcohol."

Student Leah Carson said she learned "that the effects of drugs and
alcohol stay with you a long time. I also learned that you can
determine if someone is suffering from the overuse of these by the
colour of their skin and breathing pattern."

"I also learned you should call 911 immediately," she
added.

Linnea Kalchos, who tried out the breathalyzer set up by community
services officer Const. Chris Dewsbury, was impressed by the
information sessions. "I learned more about drugs and alcohol and it
was about the pros and cons and I found it a new way to approach the
subject. . . . more on our level. It wasn't just the old message
saying don't do drugs."

Grade 9 student Ryan Orrell decided to give the sobriety test a go.
Students were asked to wear goggles that simulated three different
levels of alcohol intake, ranging from below the legal limit for
drinking and driving to above it.

"Today I learned a lot and it changed my opinion about drinking and
driving and the number of accidents it causes. I also learned about
the bad effects of alcohol, for example, in the liver, where it is
absorbed," he said.