LANGLEY HAS A DARK SECRET

Many Teens Are Using Cocaine To Feel 'They Belong'

Langley has a dark secret that most parents are completely oblivious
to. Many straight-laced, normal teenagers are experimenting with a
dangerours, illicit narcotic. I'm not talking about pot or alcohol -
even though both are dangerous themselves. I am talking about the
highly-addictive and life-destroying cocaine substance.

Not long ago, I was going to high school in Langley and found myself
drifting between a variety of different peer groups. The students that
I considered to be "bad" at that time smoked pot, frequently drank,
and rebelled against their parents and teachers. Whether or not they
took any heavy drugs I do not know, because it never came up in casual
conversation.

I am now in college and have developed several friendships, some with
students who are in Grade 12 in local high schools. To my great
surprise, many of them have bluntly revealed to me a dangerous hobby
of theirs. They have openly admitted to experimenting with coke to get
high with their friends on the weekends.

Some have even confessed to snorting it before work to get through the
day. I must reinforce that these are regular teenagers, who come from
upper middle-class families and achieve decent grades at school.

When I think about cocaine, the dreary image of homeless addicts
loitering on downtown Granville Street immediately springs to mind.
The young drug users I speak with seem to see a completely different
reality. Its powerful, seductive qualities provide them with a sense
of belonging; a feeling that many teenagers strive for. Blinded by the
euphoria of the illicit drug, they believe they are in complete
control of their situation and can stop at any time. If it were that
easy, don't you think the drug addicts on Granville would have chosen
a brighter path, and would not currently be in the unfortunate
circumstance they are in?

I am in no position to criticize parents. I do not have any children
myself, so I don't know just how challenging it is to be a parent in
today's fast paced, hectic society. What I do know is that the teens I
have spoken to appear to be using cocaine because they haven't yet
been caught.

As one with a foot in both the teen and adult world, I can see this
situation from both perspectives.

I strongly urge parents to facilitate an open discussion with their
teens about cocaine and question them on whether or not they or their
friends have ever tried it. You may be surprised just how open your
teen is to discussing this issue.

*Kristyl Cahill is a Kwantlen College journalism student.