PRESENTATION OFFERS INSIGHT INTO IMPACT OF DRUGS ON FAMILY
LIFE

As a young teen struggling with low self-esteem and easily influenced
by others, Erin began experimenting with drugs at the age of 16. And,
it wasn't long before the consequences of her actions began to stem
to her family.

Erin and her mother Susan, who have asked their last names be kept
anonymous, are bringing forth a very powerful message of tragedy and
rebirth to the Leduc community about drug abuse and how it can happen
to any family.

As part of a series of educational presentations being hosted by the
Leduc Community Drug Action Committee, next month's presentation by
Susan and Erin, based on the real-life struggles and the impact drug
abuse had on their family, are hoping other parents will learn from
their experience.

"It wasn't until an actual home invasion, where four guys with guns
and swords, broke into my house and demanded drugs and money, that I
decided to get clean," said Erin, who's now 25.

"As a young teen I had low self-esteem and I'd always cared about
what others thought. When I was 16, I got into using marijuana and
drinking a lot."

By the age of 19, Erin began using meth, crack and ecstacy. And, from
there she got into dealing.

"I got into dealing meth and ecstacy because I didn't want to work
and I needed to support my own habit," she said, adding it wasn't
until a near death experience that she realized she needed help.
"Parents are unaware. They need to know this can happen to any
family. There's a lot of denial that it can't happen in this
community, but it can and is."

While Erin will be sharing with the audience her experiences with
drugs and the life she led, Susan will be sharing the impact her
daughter's drug abuse had on the family.

"Ultimately I want this presentation to be a message of hope. If our
family can survive and come out of it, anyone can," said Susan.

Susan said the biggest hurdle she found herself hitting up against
was the lack of resources in the community.

"It's a poor reflection on a community our size that we don't have
the resources available here," she said, adding driving back and
forth from Leduc to Edmonton isn't feasible for everyone. "If I
decide today that I need help, and this is the only window (we're
going to seek help), I have no help. Someone's going to tell me I can
talk to them in one or two weeks, but there's nothing now."

Susan said what she thought were just signals and signs of a young
person going through the phases of becoming a young adult, weren't.

"There are certain personality types we have to watch out for that
make them (teens) far more susceptible to going down the wrong path,"
said Susan, adding prevention and community awareness is what she
hopes to share with parents.

The presentation, A Family in Recovery -- A Message of Hope, is
taking place at the Maclab Centre for the Performing Arts, April 12
at 7 p.m., free of charge.