NAAW RAISES AWARENESS OF ADDICTIONS

Nov. 17 to 23 is National Addictions Awareness Week. What began as a
provincial drug awareness campaign in Nova Scotia in 1980 grew to a
national awareness week in 1985.

When considering some of the facts related to addictions, it's not
surprising that this year, the focus is on communities working together to
prevent addictions early in life, with children. The facts, from Alberta
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (ADDAC) are:

- - In 1998 - 99, there were 4,132 calls to the 1-800 Alberta Gam-bling Help
line with 53 per cent concerning VLT gambling.

- - In Alberta in 1992, substance abuse cost more than $1.6 billion, or $613
per person. Alcohol abuse accounted for $749 million, tobacco use was
estimated at $728 million, and illegal drug use accounted for $135 million.

- - In 1999, 12,274 Albertans were charged with impaired driving. Over the
past decade, Alberta has had one of the highest rates of impaired driving
among all provinces and territories.

- - During 1998, 2,960 adolescents were admitted to treatment facilities run
by AADAC and its funded agencies.

- - Ecstacy (MDMA) can produce mild intoxication, a sense of pleasure, and
euphoria. Users may feel full of energy and confidence. As well, ecstacy
may cause sweating, increased blood pressure and heart rate, nausea,
grinding of teeth and jaw pain, anxiety attacks, blurred vision and
vomiting. Other negative effects could last for weeks and could include
depression, confusion, panic, insomnia and convulsions.

- - Per capita consumption of alcohol for Albertans 15 years or older
decreased from 9.8 litres of absolute alcohol in 1989-90 to 8.7 litres in
1998-99. (The equivalent is 512 bottles of beer.)