Pubdate: Thu, 01 Dec 2005 Source: Common Ground (CN BC) Copyright: 2005 Common Ground Publishing Corp. Contact: http://www.commonground.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3491 Author: Laura Anne Walton Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?241 (Methamphetamine - Canada) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/oxycontin.htm (Oxycontin/Oxycodone) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) HILLBILLY HEROIN AND JASMINE'S CRYSTAL DEATH A couple of years ago at Teensmag, we published an article warning teens about the serious dangers of experimenting with the synthetic chemical OxyContin, a strong painkiller that is toxic when used for non-medical purposes. Since then, another horror story has emerged. Last October, in the northern Ontario city of Timmins, OxyContin, which is known on the street as "hillbilly heroin," ruined one student and killed two people. The pusher was 18, and his two victims, who both died from an overdose, were only 17 and 19. The little red pills appear to have been MS Contin, a powerful, timed-release analgesic agent with opiate-mimicking powers and an extremely addictive nature. The pills are supposed to be swallowed whole, but some users grind them up and ingest them as a powder, making them much more toxic. In any event, the two victims ingested some of them, went to sleep and never woke up. There are several versions of OxyContin; the little red pills noted here represent only one version. It goes without saying that one should steer clear of them. An additional problem is that some of these pills are now being made in underground labs, where impurities and additives make them very unsafe. Again, let us be clear. Your health is important and being alive beats the alternative. Meth takes Jasmine by Laura Anne Walton It's a Saturday afternoon and two sisters, 15-year-old Aimee and her 17-year-old sister Jackie, had their two friends Tara and Jasmine over. After talking about guys for over an hour in Jackie's bedroom, Jackie, Tara, and Jasmine made their way into the livingroom, where Aimee was watching her favourite TV show Clean Sweep. "Hey Aimee," said Jackie. "You wanna go do something?" "No," said Aimee. "Clean Sweep is on." Aimee never misses Clean Sweep. "Why do you even watch that show," asked Jasmine. "It's so boring." "I think Eric Stromer is hot," said Tara. "Say, you guys wanna do something new?" Jackie asked, looking at her friends. "Like what?" asked Tara. "I don't know; something different?" "What are you thinking of?" asked Jackie. A short time later, Jackie, Tara, and Jasmine are back in Jackie's bedroom. Jackie opens a drawer in her jewellery box, and takes out a small bag full of white powder. "Have either of you tried crystal meth before?" "No," said Tara. "Never." "Me neither," said Jasmine. "The two of you wanna try it?" asked Jackie. "I don't know," said Tara. "I hear that stuff is dangerous." "Oh, no, they just say that. I use it all the time and nothing has ever happened to me. I mean, nothing bad. It makes you alert so you can study harder." "Oh, really?" said Tara. "Yeah," said Jackie. "So, you wanna try it?" "OK," said Tara, "but only a little bit." Jackie then takes out some straws from her dresser and teacher her friends how to snort the crystal meth. After a couple of snorts, Tara feels that she's had enough and leaves the room. Jasmine and Jackie take a few more snorts, then Jackie leaves the room. A short time later, Jackie and Tara stopped watching handsome Eric Stromer on Clean Sweep. They wondered what Jasmine was up to. They left the living room and went back to Jackie's room to find Jasmine lying on the floor unconscious. "Oh, my God," cried Tara. "Jasmine!" Tara plunges to the floor. "Oh, my God! She isn't breathing!" cried Tara. Jackie looked devastated. She knew Jasmine had most likely overdosed on the crystal meth. She immediately called an ambulance. But unfortunately it was too late. Jasmine had died. Jackie and Tara would never forget that day, especially Jackie. They gave up crystal meth after the incident. What is the point when you lose your friends? Reprinted with permission from Teensmag. Laura Anne Walton, a student at Kelly Road Secondary School in Prince George, BC, won third prize in the 2004 Teensmag writing competition. Both articles reprinted from Teensmag, a publication written by teens about alcohol and drug abuse education and prevention. The editor and publisher is Dr. Merv Mason, a psychologist with many years of experience in alcohol and drug-abuse education and prevention. This publication is a useful resource tool in helping to educate teens against the dangers of substance abuse. It has contributed an important part in drug awareness and prevention education over the past 17 years. It is distributed through corporate sponsorship to BC secondary schools, police detachments, the aboriginal community and substance abuse centres. Here are a few places to call for help: BC Distress Line 1-866-661-3311 or email www.youthinbc.com Alcoholics Anonymous 604-434-3933 Narcotics Anonymous 604-873-1018 Alcohol and drug information lines: BC 604-660-9382 or 1-800-663-1441 Alberta 1-866-332-2322 Ontario 1-800- 463-6273 Life threatening emergency call 911 - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman