EDUCATION ESSENTIAL ON TEEN DRUG ABUSE

Many parents feel like they're fairly sophisticated and knowledgeable
about the recreational drugs available to their kids. And many parents
don't. And either way, they probably don't know enough, according to
Constable Richard De Jong, drug awareness officer for the RCMP.

"Today's drug scene is radically different from what it was even 10
years ago," says de Jong. "The drugs are different.

The way they're used is different. They present medical risks and social
dangers that earlier generations couldn't have dreamed of." De Jong is one
of four featured panellists slated to appear at 'Your Kids And Drugs: Get A
Better View', a parent education evening presented by Mulgrave public
programs on Monday, October 17. The program brings together a cop, a doctor,
a parent, and a treatment expert to share their perspectives on various
aspects of today's recreational drugs, and offer parents tools and resources
for keeping their kids drug safe. Other panellists will include: Dr. Dooley
Goumeniouk, clinical professor of pharmacology and therapeutics at UBC. He
will present no-hype facts about the physiological effects of alcohol and
today's most common recreational drugs; Kerry Jackson, a lower mainland
mother who lost her son, Ryan, to methamphetamine addiction.

She will offer insight into the reasons children turn to drug use, and
discuss concrete strategies for parents of both younger children and
teens to keep their kids alcohol and drug-free; Carrie De Jong, a
counsellor at North Shore Family Services, who will cover the local
resources available to families who suspect that a child may be
drinking or using recreational drugs.

The program will include video and slide presentations, and plenty of
time for questions and answers, according to Susan Nash, head of
Mulgrave School's public programs committee. "This will be a full
evening, but well worth it," said Nash. "The goal is to give parents a
unique opportunity to get a better view of the situation their
families are in, and move forward with the information they need to
deal with the drug issue intelligently and effectively." The program
runs from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 17 in the Linda Hamer
Theatre at Mulgrave School, 2330 Cypress Lane in West Vancouver. Nash
emphasizes that they are expecting a sellout event, and strongly
recommends that people buy their tickets early.

Tickets are on sale at Mulgrave School for $10, and may also be
purchased at the door on the evening of the event for $12. For more
information, contact Mulgrave School at 604-922-3223.