DRUG USE PRESENTATION FOR LOCAL TEENS

Corporal Shannon Haubrick, from the Prince George RCMP, drugs and
organized crime awareness service last week to present information on
drug and alcohol awareness to local teenagers at Lake Babine's
Margaret Patrick Hall.

A large number of young children, teenagers, adults and elders from
Lake Babine Nation turned up for the presentation and were able to
gain valuable information and ask questions.

According to statistics that Haubrick presented from a May 2008
Canadian study alcohol use starts as early as the ages of 12-13,
marijuana use typically starts at the ages of 13-14 years old and
14-16 year olds are trying cocaine, meth-amphetamines and ecstasy.

"The study shows that 80 per cent of teens, by the age of 17 had tried
alcohol, 44 per cent of those had binged on alcohol and 58 per cent
had also tried marijuana," Haubrick said.

Haubrick also presented facts related to commonly used drugs including
marijuana, alcohol, crack, cocaine, ecstasy, meth-amphetamines and
alcohol.

Common symptoms and side effects included changes in personality,
cancer, restlessness, sweating, nausea, tremors, vomiting, rotted
teeth, profuse scratching and also death.

"Drugs have a large effect on the community," she said.

There is an increase in petty and violent crimes, business dollars
decrease, drug use creates longer wait times for local health care
resources, wait times increase for social services and first response
agencies, youth addictions, increase in [community] frustrations, a
decrease in safety, organized crime, laundering and corruption,
impaired driving incidents and also an increase in the use of RCMP
resources.

"So why do people use drugs?," asked Haubrick.

"Because they gain something from their use," she added.

Altered feelings generated by the drugs interaction with the brain
chemistry, an escape from reality, a sense of accomplishment, the
thrill of risk taking and also an increase in the social acceptance of
drug taking.

"There are negative consequences .... loss of family and friends and
relationships, changes in goals and aspirations, low risk drug use can
also lead to high risk drug use, mental illness developing,
depression, drugs can also lead to people breaking rules and laws and
changes in behaviour, missing school and work and failing in class,"
Haubrick said.

Alcohol too is a problem in B.C. with an average of 4,980 alcohol
related collisions every year which results in 3,170 related injuries
and 116 deaths across B.C. every year.

"Alcohol related harms [incidents] cost British Columbians $2.2
billion each year," Haubrick added.

Haubrick told the group that binge drinking constitutes five or more
drinks in a single sitting for males, and four or more drinks in a
single sitting for women.

"Drinking 10 beers plus a 26 ounce bottle of whiskey equals death,"
she said.

"A total of 53 per cent of alcohol consumed in B.C. is done in a way
in which the drinkers health and safety is at risk," she added.

Haubrick also noted that parents should educate themselves on the
effects, signs, symptoms and paraphernalia of drug use.

Parents should also recognize the influence that peer pressure may
have on their children and to communicate regularly and meaningfully
with their children, recognizing that praise and reinforcing positive
qualities of their children are important.

"Drug prevention is the duty of every parent," said
Haubrick.

"Why does all this matter," asked Haubrick.

The consequences of casual drug use are severe; interruption of
learning at school; reduced employment opportunities; the risk of
addiction; gaining a criminal record; chance of catching sexually
transmitted diseases and AIDS, and developing a mental illness
triggered by drug use or dying.

"When you are out at a party or a bar be aware of your surroundings,
GHB a date rape drug looks like water, is odourless and colourless and
is also tasteless," she said.

The easiest drink to spike is one in a glass.

"Do not put your drinks down, hold on to them, be aware of what is
happening, date rapes not only happen to women but to men too," she
added.

According to RCMP border integrity the total number of B.C. made
ecstasy pills is on the increase. A total of 40,000 B.C. ecstasy pills
were seized in 2003 by U.S. border officials. In 2007 this number
increased to 2.2 million pills being seized in the first nine months.

"It all starts with poor choices being made," said Haubrick who added
that it is important to make the right choices, and for parents to
recognize the signs of drug use.

Signs of drug use may include; Ecstasy - confusion, depression, panic
attacks, nausea, dilated pupils, grinding teeth, overheating, and
dehydration; Meth-amphetamine - rotted teeth, elevated moods,
scratching, increased alertness, increased movement and speech, high
euphoria, decreased appetite, dry mouth, reduced fatigue and tremors;
Alcohol - intoxication, distorted mood, aggression and impaired
judgement; Marijuana - memory loss, red dilated eyes, distorted
perception, trouble thinking and problem solving, depression,
increased hunger, personality problems, respiratory problems,
increased heart rate, lack of convergence, eye-lid tremors, sluggish
movements, laughter, decreased muscle strength, disorientation,
relaxed inhibitions and low body temperature; Cocaine - high euphoria,
feelings of pleasure, feelings of strength, hyperactivity, heavy
perspiration, tremors and twitching, erratic movements, aggressive
behaviour, elevated heat and blood pressure, paranoia and depression,
decreased appetite and seizures.