DRUG AWARENESS WEEK

Health promoters are urging parents to talk to their teens about the
growing problem of teen drug and alcohol abuse this week. November 15-21 is
designated as Drug Awareness Week.

Talking to a teenager about the risks of drugs and alcohol shouldn't be
taboo, but a powerful tool for a parent to help their son or daughter make
the right choices," says Dawn Austin in a media release. Ms Austin is a
health promoter with the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health
Unit, and a member of the Kawartha Lakes Drug Awareness Group.

She says opening the lines of communication can influence teen attitudes
about drugs and alcohol. She cites research that says most young people are
13 when they first try drugs or alcohol. Some will require support from
families, friends and professionals.

Ms Austin says open communication can make teens more likely to talk to
parents if they face a drug dilemma.

An open discussion, says Ms Austin, puts the issue of drug use in the open
and forces people to admit there is drug and alcohol abuse by teens in the
City of Kawartha Lakes. "Denial about teen drug use is the biggest barrier
we face to dealing with the problem," says Ms Austin.

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health did a survey among high school
students in 2003. That survey showed that students in the Central East
region, which includes the City of Kawartha Lakes, had a higher drug and
alcohol use rate than the rest of the province. Seventy per cent of
students reported drinking alcohol, nearly one-third admitted smoking
marijuana and 10 per cent said they used hallucinogens.