WHAT'S THE REASON FOR RISE IN TEEN DRUG USE?

Two items in today's Times may have more in common than meets the eye. Our
front page story referred to a sweep by police from May 25-28 resulting in
drugs uncovered at all seven local highschools. A Health Canada survey
showed that the use of marijuana among young people is on the rise. Why?
Perhaps part of the reason can be found in the letter on page 7 which
relates to a proposed skateboard park.

The person who wrote the letter was concerned that skateboarding was going
to be a permanent addition to a neighbourhood park on Princess Street.

The letter stated a concern that older skateboarders may also hang out,
resulting in drug use and vandalism. But the most significant point of the
letter was the skateboard park being a Band-Aid solution by city council.

What is needed is a permanent fix. Teens with nothing to do can easily get
into trouble. What is needed is activities and facilities which our youth
can look forward to and enjoy from one week to the next. Make activities
available for different age groups. But that requires planning. It's one
piece of the solution to an ongoing and complex problem.