DRUG USE MONITORED

Airdrie Echo -- The Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC) will
survey Grades 7-12 students every two years in an effort to monitor the
status of drug and alcohol use in that age group.

"If AADAC staff can see what road youth are taking, we can plan for
treatment needs in the near future and we can refine our prevention programs
to help influence young people to make better choices in the long term,"
AADAC said in a report.

In its first survey, AADAC found that of the 3,400 Grade 7 to 12 students in
Alberta polled, 56 per cent of respondents said they had consumed alcohol in
the past 12 months.

In comparative studies, nearly 66 per cent of Ontario students and 52 per
cent of those polled in Nova Scotia admitted the same. As well, more Alberta
teens smoke crack and chew tobacco than those in the other provinces, while
less experimented with marijuana, magic mushrooms, crystal meth, ecstasy and
cocaine.

"The overall vision of the survey was to get a picture of Alberta youth as
they are today and try to envision the adults they may become," said the
AADAC report.

The survey also examined risk factors associated with developing substance
abuse or gambling problems. Lack of parental support, a family history of
addiction and poor school performance are among the risks. Good parental
monitoring, participation in positive extracurricular activities and being
surrounded by positive peers were listed as protective factors. All of which
comes as no surprise to the Airdrie Youth Justice Committee, which is
sponsoring two upcoming seminars designed to educate parents and educators
on street drugs.

"We wanted to take a preventative approach with the Youth Justice Committee
on a topic that doesn't get much attention," said committee spokesperson
Diana Lebedeff.

"The purpose of the seminars is to educate parents and teachers on drug
awareness and drug prevention," she added.

Although quick to note that street drugs are likely a far more rampant
problem in larger cities, Lebedeff said Airdrie is not immune.

"Drugs are everywhere, though to what extent is unclear," she said. "These
seminars are more preventive as opposed to being reactionary down the road."

Retired police officer Steve Walton, who served 25 years on the Calgary
Police Service drug unit, will share his considerable expertise on the
matter as the presenter of the seminars.

The free seminars will take place Sept. 24 and Oct. 1 at Bert Church
Theatre. Both start at 7 p.m.