FILM OPENS DISCUSSION ON KIDS' DRUG USE

To the editor:

Parents today must deal with a wide range of concerns and issues when
it comes to the upbringing of their children. Times change and the
formative years we as parents remember from our childhood are
different with what kids are now dealing with today. Unfortunately,
one issue, which undoubtedly weighs on most parents mind eventually is
the use of illegal drugs.

Suspension summaries for School District No. 23 show for school year
1996-1997 the definite suspensions (up to a maximum of 10 days) for
drug use was 50 students. The latest school year figures for 2001-2002
showed a fourfold increase to 207 students. The school district data
show most suspensions for drug use begins in Grade 7 and continues
through Grade 10 and includes all socio-economic and demographic
groups. Sadly within the last three years, records show suspensions
occurring as young as Grade 4.

Between Friday, May 2 to Sunday May 4 at the Paramount Theatre in
downtown Kelowna the critically acclaimed documentary film Fix, by
Nettie Wild will be shown (including weekend matinees). This film
graphically shows the life of people affected by drugs on Vancouver's
Eastside. It was filmed with a sense of compassion and illustrates the
harsh reality of the "forgotten people" in our society. It is scary,
ugly and sad all at the same time and illustrates the grim reality of
prolonged and/or experimental use of illegal drugs for some people.

This film was made to educate people not entertain them. Community
forums will follow after each 7 p.m. and matinee shows featuring local
health professionals and outreach workers.

If you have yet to deal with the subject of drugs with your children,
this week is a good opportunity to start. Call you school and ask for
a copy of Growing Up Drug Free--A Parent's Guide to Prevention. Read
it and begin an open dialogue with your child about illegal drugs. I
believe children today grow up too fast and are influenced by too many
things, which we sometime have no control over or sadly have not
prepared them for. The effects of illegal drug use should not be one
of them.

Rick Bigger,

Kelowna