PARENTS URGED TO HEED 'RED FLAGS' ON DRUG USE

A 25-year veteran narcotics officer from Calgary says parents need to
be aware of the "red flag indicators" warning them their kids may be
using drugs.

"Red flag indicators are not in and of themselves 100 per cent
determining factors but two or three red flags at least warrant
further investigation," Steve Walton said Friday.

"I'd be wary of a dramatic drop in grades. I'd be wary of children who
are changing their activities ... and they quit - whatever the
activity is - and also, because there are powerful drugs being made
available today I would look for a change in the appearance of young
people who are drug consumers."

Walton, who recently retired as a detective from the Calgary Police
Service, is considered to be one of the top drug experts in North America.

As the author of the best-selling First Response Guide to Street
Drugs, he now works as an independent consultant to police and social
agencies.

He spent Friday in Grande Prairie talking to local health-care
workers, social workers, teachers during the day and, in the evening,
talking to parents.

Everyone's drug IQ is a little different so Walton said he likes to
start his talks, of which he does close to 100 a year, with a few of
the basics.

"A lot of people aren't familiar with what drugs look like," he
said.

He then covers some of the old standbys in the narcotics world, such
as marijuana and cocaine, before providing an update on some of the
newcomers, like GHB, a highly-potent synthetic tranquilizer, and
methamphetamine, or meth, which acts as a super-stimulant.

"A professional seminar like this is designed to bring people who are
involved in areas where drug consumers are part of their client base.
It just helps them be more current with what's going on," Walton said
after the day-long session for professionals.

Another essential element he covers is how to assess and handle users
while ensuring both the suspected user and the worker involved remain
safe.

He says he cannot stress enough this is something that must be handled
by a trained professional.

"The issue for people who are not trained is that they do need, No. 1,
to be aware of the fact that under the influence of drugs people tend
to be irrational, that under the influence of drugs people aren't
processing information properly," Walton said.

"The handling of people who are stoned should be left to people who
are trained in it - like law enforcement and emergency medical staff."

While the types of illegal drugs out there are becoming more varied,
complex, and dangerous, Walton says he sees a better the future.

"It can get better because we learn more," he said.

"In medical health we learn how to treat people more effectively, and
in enforcement we learn better skills that lead to interdiction
practices that are more successful."

He adds what he saw in Grande Prairie Friday reinforced his optimism
that the war on drugs is being slowly won.

"I'm encouraged by young people - they have a tendency to make good
decisions if we provide them with information," he said.

"And when I see a room like this where we have 40 or 50 professionals
gathered it tells me that people care and they're willing to dedicate
time for training. So it looks good to me."