IT'S TIME TO GET EDUCATED

Drugs isn't an easy topic of conversation within the home environment,
especially when parents have a hard time with the issue.

On Thursday evening, a presentation on Street Drugs is open to the
community to educate parents, care givers and family members about drugs
and what it can do to a person using and the people around them.

When I was growing up, the 'cool' drugs were acid and hash. Personally, I
didn't see what was co 'cool' about them, but I also wasn't very educated
on these drugs.

All I knew is that people acted dumb, laughed a lot and saw things that
weren't there. Afterwards, they would be sick, freaking out or awake for a
few days and not know why.

That didn't look like fun to me, so drugs weren't really an option for
me. I also learned that getting drugs were a big cost out of your
wallet. In Grade 8, a hit of acid, usually in small pellet forms, cost
about $5 each.

In Grade 8 (1988) that was a lot of money to me. Money that I wasn't going
to part with for something the size of a pin head.

And then, I started seeing what drugs were doing to some of my friends -
they would forget where they were the night before, forget who they were
with and forget what they did.

The next morning was filled with questions, usually targeted my way
because, of course, I remembered everything because I was the sober one.

A lot of times my friends were either ashamed of their actions or got a big
laugh out of it.

Personally, I didn't see anything that was funny.

I made the choice to ditch the friends that felt drugs were cooler than
their real friends. Drugs weren't for me and they still aren't. If people
want to screw up their life, it's their choice.

This presentation could do a lot of people some good in this town.
Methamphetamine (speed) is a problem and more people need to be educated on
drugs so they are better armed in fighting this issue.

I encourage everyone to learn more about drugs so you are better equipped
if a problem is dumped on your lap.

Education is the key.