Pubdate: Fri, 12 Oct 2001
Source: Cochrane Times (CN AB)
Copyright: 2001 Cochrane Times
Contact:  http://www.cochranetimes.com/
Address: 315 First Street East, Cochrane, Alberta T4C 1Y3
Fax: (403)932-3935
Author: Darryl Mills
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

STUDENTS TO HEAR DRUG MESSAGE

There is nothing quite like hearing it from someone who has been there.

Hundreds of Cochrane teens will have that chance at Cochrane and Bow Valley 
High Schools next week as the Citizens on Patrol is presenting the Ray of 
Hope Drugs Awareness Seminars.

Julian Madigan of Calgary and his father Jerry share with the teens about 
Julian's experience with drugs from when he was 15-years-old, beginning 
with the first time he gave into the temptation to his desperate struggle 
to escape the drug culture and the impact it had on his entire family.

Madigan has written a #1 best-selling book detailing his experiences - The 
Agony of Ecstasy.

The seminar deals specifically with so-called "soft drugs" and the culture 
that surrounds them.

RCMP community liaison officer Patty Neely said these seminars are as 
needed in Cochrane as anywhere else.

"If anyone doesn't think drugs are in Cochrane, they're either closing 
their eyes, or being naive," Neely said.

"Is ecstasy in Cochrane? Yes," she stated. "Have we seized any in Cochrane? 
No. It's not overwhelmingly prevalent."

She said raves and all-night parties aren't big factors in Cochrane, but 
just a few minutes down the road in Calgary is a different story.

Neely warned that today's youth seem to look at these drugs as harmless, 
with no long-term effects. She said everybody could end up paying the price 
for these attitudes down the road.

"Some of the long-term effects of these drugs are devastating, and I think 
our society is going to be paying a price for years to come from some of 
the permanent damage that is happening to these kids."

The reason that these students will be hearing the presentations is because 
they are among the very highest risk group for drug abuse.

"The biggest user group is 16- to 25-year-olds," Neely said. "They are at 
the highest risk for drug use. Once people are out in the work force, they 
don't have time anymore to stay up all night or do drugs.

"If you miss a class, oh well, it's a class, if you miss a day of work, you 
lose your job."

Neely was quick to add not every young person going to these raves or 
parties is getting involved in the drug culture.

"In fact, there is a whole group of dedicated non-drug users that attend 
and advertise their drug-free status," she said. "But, a large percentage 
are using."

Neely warned these drugs, which include ecstasy, LSD, hash, marijuana and a 
number of others, are becoming more and more mainstream and that it is time 
people sit up and take notice of what is happening.

She is hopeful these seminars can make a difference to some kids.

"Even if they help one student in every class they speak in make a decision 
not to get involved with drugs, that's the goal of the seminars."

The Madigans speak at Cochrane High School on Oct. 17 and then at Bow 
Valley on Oct. 18.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager