DRUGS AND ALCOHOL PART OF YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULT SCENE IN WHISTLER

Community workers strive to educate kids on dangers of substance abuse

The results of a new Lower Mainland drug and alcohol study are mirrored in
Whistler, said a community youth outreach worker.

"I think the usage is quite high for our young adults between the ages of
18 and 24," said Greg McDonnell.

And kids as young as 12-years-old are already experimenting with alcohol
and marijuana.

But McDonnell and others are working in the schools and in the community to
make sure kids, parents and others understand the risks of this type of
behaviour.

A couple of weeks ago Grade 7 and 8 students got together for candid
discussions with youth workers to find out more.

"They were amazing workshops which took on a Harm Reduction theme," said
McDonnell.

Harm Reduction accepts that youth are going to experiment with drugs and
alcohol. The focus is on providing them with some decision-making skills
and some knowledge about what some of the consequences are.

"We came up with three pillars to educate these youth," said McDonnell.

"They were to chart your own path, take care of yourself and others, and
have a plan.

"If you find yourself in a situation where you have lied to your parents
about going to a movie, you've gone to some party and the buddy you went
with got smashed, what do you do?"

Those are the types of situations kids and parents have to be prepared for
said McDonnell.

The high school's Drug and Alcohol Committee has already had its first
meeting and has drawn up strategies to focus on parental education, and
alcohol and drug use. It is also looking at hosting a dry grad again in the
wake of the hugely successful one last year.

Whistler also has an active outreach service for both youths and young
adults, including a drop in centre in Millennium Place. Many kids consider
it a safe haven and use it if they find themselves in a bad spot.

While no parent wants their children to be abusing substances, it's a small
comfort to know Whistler youth have somewhere safe to go for help if they
can't get home or aren't ready to face their care-givers.

The Lower Mainland study found one quarter of young people have used the
drug ecstasy, one in five has used cocaine, and almost the same proportion
have experimented with speed.

The Pacific Community Resources study also found evidence of heroin use or
experimentation among seven per cent of people aged 12 to 24.

When asked what drugs they had tried during the previous 30 days 58 per
cent of respondents said they had used alcohol and 42 per cent they had
used marijuana.

Males were more likely to use marijuana and females to use alcohol.

More than 80 per cent of those surveyed said they could purchase marijuana
or alcohol within 24 hours.

Sadly that's a statistic Whistler can beat.

"I'll tell you right now that 100 per cent of people in Whistler can get
that in five hours," said McDonnell.

Part of the problem youth and young adults' face in Whistler is the nature
of the community. It is totally geared to having fun and partying. The
activities are really aimed at adults but if that's what youth see that is
what they are influenced to do.

And the availability of the drugs is a big concern to McDonnell and others.

"What concerns us if those drugs are readily available, is if they are
trying it at 13 to 15, are they going to be more inclined to use it when
they are 18 to 24?" he wondered.

The pressure to use drugs can be quite subtle.

"Marijuana, because it is so socially acceptable here in the young adult
population, is affecting the youth population," said McDonnell.

"The youth population observe that young adult population on the chair
lift, in the village, and they are then desensitized by it because it is
socially acceptable.

"The peer pressure is not overt it is more, hey, that snowboard kid who is
sponsored and who's got all the nice clothes and is popular in the school
is doing it so next time I am at a party I'll do it too."

And then there is the issue of parents using too. Kids copy what they see.

"Parents really have to ask themselves what kind of modeling they are
doing," said McDonnell.

"It's bloody unhealthy after all."

There are a number of resources adults and youth can access to get
information or counselling on these issues.

McDonnell can be reached at 604-938-3902. Tessa McLaughlin, youth outreach
worker for young women, can be reached at 604-905-1728.

Free drug and alcohol counselling can be found at 604-932-3312.

Despite the alarming statistics from the Lower Mainland study McDonnell
believes Whistler kids are making the right choices.

"Whistler is well served," he said.

"The kids at the high school have lots of support and there are lots of
programs. They are great kids making good decisions.

"They are experimenting like any other kids on the planet. But I think they
are making relatively healthy choices."