Pubdate: Thu, 21 Nov 2002 Source: Kitchener-Waterloo Record (CN ON) Copyright: 2002 Kitchener-Waterloo Record Contact: http://www.therecord.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/225 Author: Anne Kelly MOST TEENS WHO GET SICK ON ALCOHOL ONLY DO SO ONCE KITCHENER -- Alcohol is the drug that most commonly brings teens to the emergency rooms of Waterloo Region's three hospitals. "We see at least one case a weekend, sometimes a handful," said Brenda Hoyt, manager of the emergency room at St. Mary's Hospital in Kitchener. Numbers rise during school breaks, such as March break. Teenagers sickened by a drinking binge typically are brought in by concerned family members or friends. "It's usually some poor kid who was out at a party and over-indulged," Hoyt said. Repeat visits are rare. "It's a one-time experience and then they learn." David Richards, program manager of ambulatory care, continuing care and mental health services at Cambridge Memorial, said emergency staff don't see a lot of illicit drug use. "Alcohol seems to be the one. They tend to party with their friends. Maybe the parents are away and they get into alcohol and get sick and call an ambulance." None of the region's three hospitals keeps statistics on teens treated in emergency for the effects of alcohol or drugs. St. Mary's and Grand River say the incidence appears to be static; Richards in Cambridge thinks the number is rising. Bruce Adkins, clinical director of the emergency room at Grand River Hospital, concurs that drinking triggers many visits, but not just because alcohol has made a teen ill. "They may have fallen and hurt themselves or gotten into a bit of a scrap" while drunk, he said. Richards said young people are often unaware of the dangers of too much alcohol. "It could cause death," he stressed. Hoyt said when teens come in intoxicated, their blood is screened for drugs. If the alcohol level in the blood stream is high, intravenous fluids are given to flush out the system. Remedies for other drugs vary, depending on the substance. A teen is then monitored until staff say he or she can safely return home. In a worst-case scenario, a breathing tube may have to be put down a teen's throat. If medical personnel pick up on a family problem which seems to be related to the drug or alcohol use, the patient will be seen by a social worker, who can recommend where to go for help in the community. Hoyt said drugs are more frequently seen in the summer months -- the most common being marijuana and ecstasy. At Grand River's crisis clinic, about one-third of the teens seeking help for a mental health crisis acknowledge using alcohol or drugs, clinic co-ordinator Fred Wagner said. "They consume a large amount of alcohol or drugs and maybe prescription drugs. It may be precipitated by a breakup or situational problem. "If they come in that intoxicated or under the influence, we typically get them registered in the emergency room right away." Once stabilized, crisis nurses begin the task of helping with the mental health issues. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart