PARENTS, TEENS CAN GET THE DOPE ON DOPE

Drug Expert to Give the Straight Goods on the Dangers, Risks And
Misconceptions of Drugs

Cochrane is a growing community, an influential
town, with a high standard of living, but that doesn't mean there
aren't illegal drugs present.

And instead of looking away, pretending there isn't a problem,
community members, parents and children alike, should all be aware of
what the dangers of recreational drug use can pose.

They can get the Dope on Dope at an information seminar with that name
May 16, presented by the Cochrane Family and Community Support
Services (FCSS), the Calgary Health Region, Bow Valley High School and
Bow Valley Peer Support.

Speaking will be Steve Walton, a renowned drug detective, and the
author of the award-winning bestseller First Response Guide to Street
Drugs.

Walton was unavailable at press time, but passed on the message that
he was excited to visit the community and provide his support on the
subject.

"Education for parents and kids is paramount," says Claire Young, a
resource worker with the FCSS, who works directly with families every
day.

Young says that while Cochrane has no worse a drug problem than
anywhere, it has no better of a situation either.

"People just don't know how addictive these substances can be," she
says.

"Even marijuana has addictive substances laced in it that it didn't
years ago."

Dope on Dope 2, because a similar program was offered last fall, will
contain some of the same and some new information.

It's for anyone who wants to know about paraphernalia, the different
drugs available and how to recognize them.

"By all means, it's not just for parents. Kids are invited too," adds
Brenda Sine, FCSS staff member who specializes in childhood care and
development.

Sine is the previous executive director of the Boys and Girls Club of
Cochrane and Area, and she has seen first-hand that there is a drug
presence here.

"For anyone to say there are no drugs in the community, it's naive,"
she says.

Both Young and Sine agree that awareness is key to helping your child
or teen get through the years where drugs are being introduced in
their lives.

"It's so important to inform people of the dangers, the brain damage
it can cause," Young adds.

And they also agree that the common misconception that drugs are a
low-income problem is just that-a misconception.

"Anywhere where there's a lot of money it's a problem too," Young
says. "The type of drug may vary, people with money may be able to get
the more expensive drugs, like cocaine, but the problem is still there."

Dope on Dope will begin at 7 p.m. May 16 in the Bow Valley High School
gym, and it's free.

For more information call the FCSS at 932-3400.