ADVOCATE FOR CHILDREN

Helping develop self-confidence and being an advocate for your
children, are just two suggestions to help youth avoid drugs made by
parent Kerry Jackson Tuesday night.

"Over his lifetime and many times since then I've said to myself - if
only I knew then what I know now," said Jackson during a presentation
sponsored by the Oceanside Community Crystal Meth Task Force.

She was referring to the loss of her only son, Ryan, who was addicted
to crystal methamphetamine. Ryan committed suicide nearly four years
ago -just days before his 27th birthday.

Jackson says of all the things she's learned about addiction, crystal
meth and mental illness since his death, the most productive
information she felt she could share with others was early signs and
vulnerabilities to drug addiction.

For example, her son had suffered early childhood trauma, including
the death of his father and sexual molestation by a babysitter. He had
also fallen a few times, causing what Jackson suspects was a frontal
lobe injury. As a single mom, Jackson says she also moved around too
much - not knowing what experts have told her now about the need for a
stable home, especially for kids at age two, and between 12 and 14.

Her vision in retrospect, she says, is 20/20, which is why she's
started a support program called 20/20 Parenting Inc.

Jackson's presentation was a part of an evening sponsored by the task
force. It also included a presentation by Oceanside RCMP Constable
Kevin Day, and a viewing of the video Ruined Lives.

The comments that followed Jackson's presentation ranged from
questions on the amount of use in the Oceanside area, to the
effectiveness of law enforcement in treatment of addiction.

Jackson reminded everyone that the most important preventative measure
for youth is open communication with those around them - something
parents have to start by modeling the behaviour themselves.

"We're setting the wrong example for our youth - we're not talking
about our feelings."