EDUCATION IS THE ONLY CURE

A recent report on youth alcohol and drug use released by Pacific Community
Resources came up with some alarming provincial statistics. The use of all
drugs except alcohol is on the rise in teens. The most reported age for
marijuana and alcohol use is 13, with cocaine use reported by age 14, and
ecstasy by 15.

In addition, the survey confirmed all drug types are readily available to
youth within 24 hours.

Staff Sergeant Charlie Schaal of the Ladysmith RCMP detachment says the
community needs to be more aware of drug use in town. "This community has
to address drug abuse," said Schaal. "They have to take more ownership at
some point."

Schaal deals with both youth and adult drug problems in Ladysmith, but says
most people believe the myth small towns are immune to drug problems.

Gerry's Story

Take 'Gerry' for example.

A drug abuser for most of his life, he struggles every day to stay clean.

Now 44, he remembers being raised by physically abusive parents and picking
up bad habits at a very young age.

"I was raised with a heavy hand," he said. "I grew up with both parents
alcoholic and abusive."

Gerry remembers his mother adding half a valium and a little shot of
whiskey in his milk so he would sleep nights. By the time he was 10, Gerry
had started using alcohol on a regular basis.

"My peer group were all alcoholics," he said. "I wanted to be just like
them. They were in no pain."

By the tender age of 13, he'd had his first heroin injection. And trying
heroin changed his life forever.

"I thought, 'This is how I want to stay for the rest of my life'," he said.
"You're always chasing that first high, I guess."

Local agencies work hard to help young people avoid a similar fate.

Kim Chadwick is the youth worker for the Ladysmith Resources Centre. Dennis
Lait is the executive director. "Family history is the strongest indicator
of abuse," said Lait.

Chadwick added the first question she asks of a child referred to her for
drug/alcohol abuse is about family history. There is a strong correlation
between trying hard drugs early and addiction.

"If kids can stay away from drugs and alcohol until the age of 19, they
have a 95 to 97 per cent chance they will not have problems," said
Chadwick, who sees clients age 12 and older. "It's because their brains
have not fully developed until 19."

Gerry seems to have had all the indicators mentioned by Chadwick and Lait.

Growing up in Calgary, there was little problem for Gerry to get whatever
drugs he needed to feed his growing habit. Later, he moved to Nanaimo, a
port city where heroin is even easier to obtain.

Just recently, Gerry moved to Ladysmith in an effort to get away from some
of the ghosts of his past.

While he says it's difficult to get heroin locally, other drugs such as pot
and cocaine are easily obtained.

Chadwick confirmed just about any type of drug an addict could want is
available here in Ladysmith, including cocaine, ecstasy, heroin, mushrooms
and speed.

Users get alcohol and drugs from the school yard, older siblings, even at
home from their parents supplies, said Chadwick. Some parents supply
alcohol for their teenage children in an effort to keep them out of harm's way.

"They say they'd rather have them drinking at home, rather then on a
logging road somewhere," said Chadwick.

The Partnership of Drugs and Crime

Another issue related to drug use is crime.

"Crime is on of the most popular ways to fund drugs," says Chadwick. "And
if you continue along the path [of addiction], odds are you're going to
come into contact with the police."

Young people may start by taking money from their parents or selling
personal items. From there, some progress to theft and petty crime.

Before Chadwick gets a chance to talk to addicts, they have usually had at
least one run-in with local police.

The types of drug-related incidents include possession, trafficking, petty
crime, and related crimes committed by addicts looking for drug money.

"We do get crime sprees here on certain nights," said Schaal. "Later on we
may hear it was someone looking for a heroin fix."

Addicts will steal anything, including CDs and stereos from vehicles to pay
for their habit.

Here again Gerry is a good example of what walking down that path means.

Out of his fondness for hard drugs, he developed a criminal record.

He has been charged with a number of petty crimes, including possession.

And while he's free right now, Gerry has no illusions about why he
committed the crimes.

"Drugs and alcohol have played a factor in each and every one of those
[arrests]," he said.

Where is the Help?

Young people in trouble with drugs have a place to go.

The Resources Centre provides counselling and education for youth in
crisis. They may refer themselves, or be referred by family, friends,
teachers or the community.

And while getting kids clean is the ultimate goal, Lait and Chadwick are
realistic in dealing with cases of serious addiction.

"If a student reduces to weekend use rather than every day, then that's a
success," said Lait. "Total abstinence is very unrealistic."

While there is help for youth at risk in Ladysmith, adults with addiction
problems must go to Nanaimo for help.

The Resources Centre has requested a local program for adults from the
Ministry of Health, but the funding is currently not in place.

"There is a tremendous need locally for support and counselling services
for adults," said Lait. "Right now we refer them to Nanaimo."

Lait added adult addicts who come to the centre for assistance are often
taking a risk, and should be addressed as soon as possible. "When they
come, it's a major step for them," he said. "If they don't have reasonable
access, the chances of them following through are slim."

Often addicts are given an appointment in Nanaimo several weeks away.

In addition, many (including Gerry) simply don't have access to
transportation. They've either lost their driving privileges or can't
afford a car.

"Transportation is a big issue," said Lait.

While some do ask for help, others end up dealing with the law before
trying to get straight.

"Sometimes we talk to them about de-tox or refer them to the resource
centre," said Schaal. "If they're in crisis, we might take them to Nanaimo
hospital."

A Future Full of Pain?

What does the future hold for those who don't get help?

Gerry has no delusions about what he's done with his own life, and he would
prefer to see others get the help they need. "There's just one real cure
for all of this and that's education," he said. "One person can make all
the difference."

His move to Ladysmith has certainly not been the cure for his issues, as
he'd hoped.

"Ladysmith is not without its problems," he said. "I had hoped to get away,
but I found out everyone else was hiding here."

Gerry recently went through the loss of his partner, a heavy cocaine user
who contracted HIV. Gerry nursed her until her death from cryptococcal
meningitis. He himself has been HIV positive for 10 years.

While his health is good at the moment, he has had several serious bouts of
illness related to both drug use and the virus. "I think I knew all the
ambulance drivers in Nanaimo by name," he said.

For the rest of his life, Gerry will be struggling with the choices he
began making at a very young age.

"I'm hanging in there," he said. "Right now, every day is a present."