ALMOST NO ASSISTANCE IN HALTON FOR YOUTHS WITH DRUG PROBLEMS

Imagine your 14-year-old son landing in the hospital as a result of drug
use. Imagine the shock and anger you feel discovering he's using illegal
drugs. Imagine the fear you feel for his health, his safety, his future.

Now, imagine the frustration you feel when you discover that there are few
services in Halton to help you deal with him and his problems.

That anger, fear and frustration was front and centre at a recent meeting
of Halton Parent Watch.

About 50 parents, most articulate, well-dressed and seemingly affluent,
admitted they have run out of ways to cope with their children.

Despite what parents say is a pressing need, there's no detoxification
program for young people in Halton and few answers for parents who want to
help their kids get off, and stay off, drugs.

Parents spoke of taking time off work to monitor their children and keep
them clean, but most admit that's only a temporary solution to a problem
that seems to be growing.

Grade 8 when it starts

A 1999 survey of drug use by Halton kids found that students are most
likely to have their first experiences with alcohol and tobacco in grade 8.

By grade 10, they've moved on to experimenting with cannabis, and by grade
12 and OAC, they've tried other illicit drugs.

"I didn't know my daughter started in grade 8," admitted one woman,
shrugging in disbelief. "I didn't have a clue."

Added another woman, "The problem starts in grade school, and nobody wants
to hear that."

Not only do parents lack adequate supports to deal with the problem, the
school system also seems to be failing in its efforts to handle drug
issues, said many parents.

Within the school system, drugs are "not only prevalent, but reasonably
rampant," said one woman.

Parent Watch group members believe people need to admit the problem is
growing and pressure for local solutions and services.

"It seems incredibly naive that a community the size of Halton doesn't
choose to recognize its problem," said one man.

Jim Harkins, founder and president of Family Adolescent Straight Talk Inc.,
said many people refuse to admit there's a drug problem in Halton.

However, a 1999 Halton survey found drug use among grade 7 to OAC students
in the region mirrors that of other communities across the province.

Mr. Harkins, whose Oakville-based, non-profit organization offers some
services for families dealing with drug use, said he expects to serve 300
youth this year.

Still, his organization receives no government funding, leaving parents to
fork out cash for the social services their kids need. Along with a
shortage of treatment facilities and programs for Halton kids, the region
also has to ship homeless children out to Hamilton and Mississauga because
of the lack of youth shelters.