Pubdate: Fri, 23 Apr 2004
Source: Toronto Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2004, Canoe Limited Partnership.
Contact:  http://www.canoe.com/NewsStand/TorontoSun/home.html
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/457
Author: Jason Botchford
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)

PARENTS: BE AWARE OF WHAT KIDS DOING

Families of Users Fear the Worst

TORONTO PARENTS and the general public have their "collective heads in the 
sand" when it comes to cocaine, say people whose children have used the 
drug. "People are out of touch," said the mother of Matt, a 19-year-old 
former cocaine user who told The Toronto Sun cocaine use was rampant in his 
school.

"My kids will talk openly about who is dealing and who is using. I tell 
them to tell the police and the police do know. But nothing is done."

Matt's mom said the family lives in an "upper-middle neighbourhood" and the 
drug is "very prevalent."

WORRYING SURVEY

According to recent surveys the number of young people who believe cocaine 
is a "safe" drug has doubled in the past six years.

Benjamin Reed, whose son is a recovering addict, said the teens he has 
spoken with told him the drug is "safer than ecstasy."

Ontario's chief coroner said they couldn't be more wrong.

During the past six years in Toronto -- since Ecstasy became a topic of 
heavy media coverage -- cocaine killed 27 people on average while Ecstasy 
killed three.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager