DR. TO SPEAK OUT ON DRUGS AT C.C.H.S.

What Are The Dangers Of The "New" Illegal Drugs Out There?

Promoting awareness about the dangers of illegal drug use is nothing new.

But what is new these days are the cunning ways street drugs are being used
to induce different and potentially fatal reactions in their users, says
Florence Desaunoy, parent advisory council chairman at the Crowsnest
Consolidated High School.

Lethbridge emergency room doctor Dan Banman will be presenting "New Drugs
on the Street" Monday at 7 p.m. at the high school. Also in attendance will
be local RCMP to help out with the discussion. A specialized presentation
will be conducted for junior and senior high students the next day.

"He has seen a lot," says Desaunoy of Banman's experience in the emergency
room. "He's in the know about what's out there. It's not 'just a joint'
anymore."

There's still a public perception in the Pass that illegal drug use is not
a problem here. That's a wrong, deadly perception.

"I have seen first-hand groups of kids using right in their parents'
backyard,"said Desaunoy. Either the parents realize what their kids are
doing and turn away or, they don't realize what their kids are getting
into, she noted.

That could be disastrous with some of these new methods people are coming
up with for bigger and better highs. "Some of these reactions can be
fatal," she said.

As for the "same old, same old" discussions about drug use and how even
discussing such things can give people ideas, "I don't think there is too
much information when it comes to drugs. There are fatal consequences to
what they are doing," says Desaunoy.

Because the high school's advisory council has no money for workshops, the
community support it has received for such a presentation is deeply
appreciated. Bistro on Main has donated a gift certificate for Dr. Banman
and his wife to have a meal while they are here and the Goat Mountain
Get-A-Way has provided accommodations.

"Dr Banman is overwhelmed at the hospitality from here," says Desaunoy,
adding that she first heard of his work through a teleconference at the
Crowsnest Pass Hospital where she is employed.