SEX-DRUG CONNECTION DETAILED BY POLICE

Sex, drugs and no curfews -- some teens are dying to break away from
their parents' rules.

"The life expectancy of a kid on the streets is seven years," says
RCMP Cpl. Janis Gray, who will speak in Penticton today. "It's not
just street kids being lured into prostitution and the drug trade.
It's everybody's children."

Gray, who spent seven years in drug enforcement before her transfer to
the prostitution unit in the Lower Mainland, will speak about the
police perspective on drugs and sexual exploitation during a youth
conference at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre.

Safeguarding our Communities and Street Proofing our Youth will host
some 350 First Nation young people from all over the Okanagan and many
of Penticton's Grade 9 students, for a day-long conference examining
problems facing young people today.

"It's all about control," said Gray of the confrontations between
parents and teens. "When we're a young teenager, we rebel against
control. Normally, it's parental control. Every child goes through
that in some form."

Those confrontations work in favour of pimps and drug
traffickers.

"The way they work is they lure them with things they think teens want
and can't get at home," said Gray. No rules, no curfews and lots drugs
and alcohol can appeal to teens seeking freedom from parental
constraints.

For a short time, kids get all the drugs, alcohol and freedom they
want. A few months down the road, however, it's payback time.

"The pimp will say something like: 'Remember all that stuff I gave
you? You owe me $2,000.'"

The shocked teen will carry drugs or becoming a sex trade worker to
try and cover the debt, said Gray. "What they don't know is they'll
never make enough money to pay them back."

By that point, most teens will be hooked on crack cocaine or heroin --
the drugs of choice for pimps and traffickers. "Pimps want that kid
100 per cent dependent on them so they'll be out on the streets
turning tricks," explained Gray.

"We as Joe Normal have no idea what it is to be addicted to something
like heroin or crack. Nothing means anything but where they're going
to get their next hit."

Drugs and prostitution go hand in hand with organized crime -- the
Hell's Angels and street gangs, she said.

"How do the bikers control a hooker at Main and Hastings? They might
not control her, but they certainly control her pimp. They're
interested in the escort services, the massage parlours -- all that
stuff that's a front for prostitution."

When it comes to child prostitution, adults can open their eyes and
see the real picture, said the officer.

"Call Crime Stoppers or the police. Don't just turn a blind eye to it.
These girls are victims."

Gray will be among several presenters speaking about drugs, youth and
the law, life on the street, teen pregnancy, sexually transmite
diseases, suicide prevention, and drunk driving.