SCARE TACTICS PANNED IN YOUTH-DRUG FIGHT

When it comes to deterring youth from using drugs, scaring them
straight isn't going to work.

"Scare tactics don't work, we know that," Lori Middendorp told nurses
at a pediatric nursing conference Friday at Canad Inns Polo Park.

The nurses were also told that drug and alcohol questions should be
part of any health assessment.

Maria Steeds is a registered nurse who follows that advice. "You see
that often the child or a family member of the child has an addiction
issue."

Middendorp worked at the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba for 16
years before becoming the provincial co-ordinator of the Youth
Addictions Centralized Intake Service. It's a province-wide service
that offers assistance to families and community agencies that need
referrals or advice.

The service started the same day that the Youth Drug Stabilization
(Support for Parents) Act came into effect last year. The act allows
parents to apply to have their children detained and stabilized if
they are heavy substance abusers.

"It has been a lifeline for parents who have tried everything else,"
said Middendorp, who estimated that 56 youth have been detained so
far.

Middendorp told the nurses that there tends to be a lack of public
awareness of addiction services for youth. In other cases, callers are
well aware of the services, but aren't sure which would be best.

She also offered some sobering statistics on substance use from a 2004
study that showed alcohol and marijuana were the top two choices for
teens. Middendorp has noticed that even parents sometimes downplay the
two until their child's drug use escalates to drugs like cocaine.

The addictions presentation was part of the mental health discussion
at the Children's Hospital's annual pediatric nursing conference.