PARENTS ALERTED ON DANGERS OF SEX, VIOLENCE MESSAGES

Kids are bombarded every day with hundreds of messages about sex, drugs and
violence - and the RCMP wants parents to be aware of what those messages are.

The RCMP Drug Awareness Service is sponsoring a month-long tour of B.C. for
Dan Frazell, a drug awareness officer with the Bangor, Maine police department.

He'll be telling parents what messages their kids get from video games,
music, television and the Internet and what parents can do about it.

"I've had parents absolutely shocked," Frazell said. "Some have an idea but
most are just dumbfounded."

In his 17 years as a drug awareness officer, he's seen firsthand how his
students' attitudes have changed.

He can point to how music videos have changed the way young men see women.

"That's some pretty hardcore messages that kids get," Frazell said.

Even sports broadcast on television have their messages.

"You can't watch a baseball game without being bombarded with alcohol ads,"
Frazell said.

Parents, police, teachers and people who work with youth are invited to
attend Frazell's speech Thursday (May 5) at Wellington secondary school.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m.