HILLBILLY HEROIN AND JASMINE'S CRYSTAL DEATH

A couple of years ago at Teensmag, we published an article warning
teens about the serious dangers of experimenting with the synthetic
chemical OxyContin, a strong painkiller that is toxic when used for
non-medical purposes. Since then, another horror story has emerged.

Last October, in the northern Ontario city of Timmins, OxyContin,
which is known on the street as "hillbilly heroin," ruined one
student and killed two people. The pusher was 18, and his two
victims, who both died from an overdose, were only 17 and 19.

The little red pills appear to have been MS Contin, a powerful,
timed-release analgesic agent with opiate-mimicking powers and an
extremely addictive nature. The pills are supposed to be swallowed
whole, but some users grind them up and ingest them as a powder,
making them much more toxic. In any event, the two victims ingested
some of them, went to sleep and never woke up.

There are several versions of OxyContin; the little red pills noted
here represent only one version. It goes without saying that one
should steer clear of them. An additional problem is that some of
these pills are now being made in underground labs, where impurities
and additives make them very unsafe. Again, let us be clear. Your
health is important and being alive beats the alternative.

Meth takes Jasmine

by Laura Anne Walton

It's a Saturday afternoon and two sisters, 15-year-old Aimee and her
17-year-old sister Jackie, had their two friends Tara and Jasmine
over. After talking about guys for over an hour in Jackie's bedroom,
Jackie, Tara, and Jasmine made their way into the livingroom, where
Aimee was watching her favourite TV show Clean Sweep.

"Hey Aimee," said Jackie. "You wanna go do something?"

"No," said Aimee. "Clean Sweep is on." Aimee never misses Clean Sweep.

"Why do you even watch that show," asked Jasmine. "It's so boring."

"I think Eric Stromer is hot," said Tara.

"Say, you guys wanna do something new?" Jackie asked, looking at her friends.

"Like what?" asked Tara.

"I don't know; something different?"

"What are you thinking of?" asked Jackie.

A short time later, Jackie, Tara, and Jasmine are back in Jackie's
bedroom. Jackie opens a drawer in her jewellery box, and takes out a
small bag full of white powder.

"Have either of you tried crystal meth before?"

"No," said Tara. "Never."

"Me neither," said Jasmine.

"The two of you wanna try it?" asked Jackie.

"I don't know," said Tara. "I hear that stuff is dangerous."

"Oh, no, they just say that. I use it all the time and nothing has
ever happened to me. I mean, nothing bad. It makes you alert so you
can study harder."

"Oh, really?" said Tara.

"Yeah," said Jackie.

"So, you wanna try it?"

"OK," said Tara, "but only a little bit."

Jackie then takes out some straws from her dresser and teacher her
friends how to snort the crystal meth. After a couple of snorts, Tara
feels that she's had enough and leaves the room. Jasmine and Jackie
take a few more snorts, then Jackie leaves the room.

A short time later, Jackie and Tara stopped watching handsome Eric
Stromer on Clean Sweep. They wondered what Jasmine was up to. They
left the living room and went back to Jackie's room to find Jasmine
lying on the floor unconscious.

"Oh, my God," cried Tara. "Jasmine!" Tara plunges to the floor.

"Oh, my God! She isn't breathing!" cried Tara.

Jackie looked devastated. She knew Jasmine had most likely overdosed
on the crystal meth. She immediately called an ambulance. But
unfortunately it was too late. Jasmine had died. Jackie and Tara
would never forget that day, especially Jackie. They gave up crystal
meth after the incident. What is the point when you lose your friends?

Reprinted with permission from Teensmag. Laura Anne Walton, a student
at Kelly Road Secondary School in Prince George, BC, won third prize
in the 2004 Teensmag writing competition. Both articles reprinted
from Teensmag, a publication written by teens about alcohol and drug
abuse education and prevention. The editor and publisher is Dr. Merv
Mason, a psychologist with many years of experience in alcohol and
drug-abuse education and prevention. This publication is a useful
resource tool in helping to educate teens against the dangers of
substance abuse. It has contributed an important part in drug
awareness and prevention education over the past 17 years. It is
distributed through corporate sponsorship to BC secondary schools,
police detachments, the aboriginal community and substance abuse centres.

Here are a few places to call for help:

BC Distress Line 1-866-661-3311 or email www.youthinbc.com

Alcoholics Anonymous 604-434-3933

Narcotics Anonymous 604-873-1018

Alcohol and drug information lines:

BC 604-660-9382 or 1-800-663-1441

Alberta 1-866-332-2322

Ontario 1-800- 463-6273

Life threatening emergency call 911