DRUG TRENDS

Find out before your kids do

Do you know what's in your child's backpack?

You might be missing more than just school announcements and dried up
apples.

Quesnel's District Parent Advisory Council is holding their second
Drug Trends presentation, Oct. 27, 7 p.m. in Correlieu gym. RCMP
Constables Scott Cundy with the drug section and Krista Vrolyk of the
crime reduction unit will deliver the message that awareness and
communication with your children is paramount.

"The presentation isn't meant to scare the community, it's meant to
serve as a reality check," Vrolyk said.

"We all need to do our part to prevent the youth of our community from
turning to drug use."

Both officers said talking with children as early as seems reasonable
is very important.

"It's so important for parents and community members to be educated
before your children enter the higher risk age group," Vrolyk added.

Although Quesnel is a small community, drugs are here. They're in the
school and on the streets, Cundy said.

"Ecstasy is in Quesnel and kids are using it," he said.

"We're not seeing the raves like they do in the Lower Mainland but
it's here."

Vrolyk added ecstasy is a cocktail with many different
drugs.

"That's what makes it so dangerous and highly addictive," she
said.

Cundy said that marijuana and ecstasy, because they're so cheap, are
in the schools, but also said marijuana use is across the board.

Parents, who may have tried marijuana when they were a child of the
60s and 70s may not realize how it's changed, increased in potency and
is now mixed with other drugs, he added.

"We've seen marijuana laced with cocaine, crystal meth and other
drugs," Vrolyk said.

"It's a way to enhance the marijuana and a way to get users addicted
to other drugs."

Cundy said as parents, being aware the vast majority of youth are
exposed to drug use means if they know about it, you should be talking
about it.

Both constables agreed parents need to ensure their children are
engaged in healthy, positive activities as lifestyle is a big factor.

"No one aspires to become an addict but once you begin experimenting
the potential is there," Cundy said.

During the presentation, parents and the public will learn some of the
signs their child or someone they know is involved with drugs.

If rolling papers, eye drops, bongs, glass pipes or other
paraphernalia surface, questions should be asked.

Vrolyk couldn't emphasize enough how important it was to have an open
dialogue with even young children.

Pam Mooreside, QDPAC presentation organizer said many parents think
they don't have to worry until their kids are older but that could be
too late.

"Knowledge is a form of protection," she said.

"If you live in the community you need to come to the presentation and
bring a friend."

The presentation is free and open to the entire community including
children 10 years and older.

"It's of course up to the parents but children are welcome."