ALCOHOL, TOBACCO STILL LEADING DRUGS OF CHOICE

Alcohol and tobacco still lead the way as drugs of choice in Sylvan Lake,
according to a drug abuse counselor.

Jill Draper, a counselor for Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission
(AADAC) comes to Sylvan Lake every Thursday to provide counseling services.
She said marijuana, cocaine and crystal methamphetamine are part of today's
drug culture but she believes drug usage in Sylvan Lake is on par with
other communities.

"I think Sylvan Lake is average as far as drug use goes," she said. "(On
the other hand) the town has a whole pile of really good kids." Draper said
age is not a determining factor in drug usage though crystal meth users
tend to be in the 14 to 30 year old category.

"I'm not seeing a lot of crystal meth in Sylvan Lake, but I certainly see
some," she said.

Draper pointed out that a gambling addiction may have a negative impact on
families as equal to a drug addiction.

"The emotional and financial impact on families is often quite
devastating," she said. "The gambling problem is significant here even
though we don't have VLTs in Sylvan Lake. They are in Red Deer and there
are the casinos."

Draper said AADAC considers drugs, alcohol or gambling to be a problem when
it is used or practised to the extent that it has a negative impact on
their life and they still continue to do it.

"The amount of use can vary," she said.

Draper said denial is often the biggest problem with addictions.

"The user thinks that it's not that big a problem and they have a handle on
it and the family has trouble believing it could be a problem in their family."

Addictions need to be addressed by the family, even if the user refused to
do so, she added.

"The impact is a ripple effect," she said. Members of an addicted family
often experience loneliness, frustration, fear, anger and shame. They may
also feel a sense of hopelessness about the situation.

The use of drugs and alcohol and the practice of gambling helps people cope
with emotional pain, provides stress relief and may be used as an escape
from reality.

"As you depend more on drugs or gambling, you lose coping skills or they
may never have had a chance to develop in the first place," she said,
adding that it is a process rather than an event. As use continues, the
individual may begin to focus more on the alcohol, drugs or gambling than
they do on the other areas of their lives.

Draper does not recommend confrontation as a way to deal with someone
suspected of drug use.

"If you confront them they will become angry and defensive. Talk to them in
a calm way." She said observing changes in behaviour and appearance and
gaining information about the suspected drug is important.

"Changes in behaviour are very much the same in adults and children," she said.

Draper said counseling can help individuals identify and use their own
strengths.

"You can work on what's strong in a person, not what's wrong with them.
Even an addict has all kinds of strengths that you can help them discover
that they can use to overcome their addiction. No one wants to become an
addict," she said.

In Sylvan Lake Alcoholics Anonymous and AL-ANON Family Group (a 12-step
program to help family and friends who are affected by someone else's
drinking) as well as AADAC counseling are available. In Red Deer Gamblers
Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous programs are also
available.

To book an appointment with Draper in Sylvan Lake contact the Red Deer
AADAC office at 340-5274.