LOCAL YOUTH GETTING MESSAGE FROM DRUG AND ALCOHOL TASK
FORCE

Since March, 2007, the Golden and Area Drug and Alcohol Task Force has
been working to educate Golden residents about the perils of drug and
alcohol abuse.

According to task force co-ordinator, Nikki Kaiser, and the results of
a drug and alcohol survey of the East Kootenays, the message has been
getting through.

Kaiser notes the recent survey of high school students in the East
Kootenays conducted by Dean Nicholson showed that drug and alcohol use
amongst teens in the region has decreased since 2005.

But she also says there are still some areas of concern, such as the
use of marijuana by youth during school and while driving, as well as
the problem of crystal meth and ecstasy.

"Youth in our area tend to use marijuana on school days, and at
school," Kaiser says. "They also seem willing to drive while under the
influence of marijuana. While the message that drinking and driving is
risky and unsafe seems to have gotten through to youth, there seems to
be a misconception that driving while high is safe."

Though ecstasy is one of the least-used drugs amongst area youth,
according to the survey, Kaiser points out that it's shown the most
increase in frequency of use since 2005.

"Ecstasy is a dangerous, unpredictable, and potentially addictive
drug," Kaiser says. "RCMP studies have shown ecstasy is often cut with
other substances, such as crystal meth, strychnine, and dexidrine.

"It's hard to know what the effects of the drug will be for each user,
and it has the potential to become addictive, due to the various additives."

The keys to deterring youth from dangerous drugs like ecstasy, and
driving or attending school while high, are education, and providing
activities that give them the opportunity to stay away from drugs,
Kaiser says.

This is where programs like the Golden and Area Drug and Alcohol Task
Force come in.

"Dean Nicholson's conclusion is that programs like this one are
working," Kaiser says. "It gives youth a choice, as well as the
information and opportunity to make responsible decisions."

Since the beginning of March, Kaiser has held monthly meetings which
have been well attended, and also developed a large mailing list, she
says.

The task force has also brought in some guest speakers, such as Doctor
Gabor Mate, who works with people in East Vancouver that have severe
addictions, and Dean Nicholson, who presented the results of his survey.

In addition, they ran a drug and alcohol-free dance for local youth in
late June.

In her interim report released over the summer to the Town of Golden,
Kaiser outlined the future objectives and plans for the task force.

These objectives focus on furthering community education about drugs
and alcohol, learning more about the impacts of drugs and alcohol on
the community, and continuing to provide activites for Golden youth.

"Currently we have two pamphlets about ecstasy in the works," Kaiser
says. "One gives the facts about the drug. The other is a sort of
'party safe' pamphlet."

She also notes they'll be bringing in more speakers geared toward
adult audiences so local adults will also have the opportunity to be
educated about such things as the effects of drug and alcohol use on
families.

The task force is also planning on doing a survey about drug use
amongst adults in the community to figure out the extent of the problem.

They also plan to continue giving the youth something to do on the
weekends other than drink or use drugs, Kaiser says.

"We're going to have more events geared towards teens and pre-teens.
We'll have more dances and maybe a battle of the bands for the teens,
and a sports night for pre-teens," she explains.

"There will be another dance at the end of the month. It will be a
semi-formal Fall Ball," Kaiser says.

She adds they had great attendance at the last dance.

Kaiser is also open to suggestions from the community about possible
activities.

She encourages everyone to come out to the monthly meetings, or to
contact her with any questions or comments.