Pubdate: Mon, 05 Dec 2005
Source: Edson Leader (CN AB)
Copyright: 2005 Edson Leader
Contact:  http://www.edsonleader.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/780
Author: Jessica Kerr
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?241 (Methamphetamine - Canada)

U OF A SEEKS METH STORIES

One University of Alberta researcher is exploring why young people
start using crystal methamphetamine in hopes of helping parents
protect their children from addiction.

Dr. Lori Harach, a professor of Human Ecology at the university, was
first intrigued by the idea after reading letters to the editor in a
community newspaper. They were from parents concerned about their
children's addictions.

"Parents who were just frustrated and beside themselves," she
said.

"They would say in these letters that they had no idea or
warning."

Harach's area of expertise is parent/child relationships, so the new
project fits in with what she has already studied.

She said the project is still in the planning phases, but she is
hoping to get input from people in order to help her set the final
direction.

Harach is looking for testimonials from Albertans who have been
affected by the drug in one way or another.

"There's really no research out there yet," Harach
said.

"If we can figure out what is leading adolescents to the drug, then we
have a better idea of where we need to step in."

"When it comes to crystal meth, it's a completely new area that hasn't
been touched," she said.

"I believe there are some variables that will overlap between
substance abuse literature that is already out there and crystal meth
issues, but the fact that it is so cheaply made and so cheap to buy,
makes it unique."

Harach said she has two goals she hopes to accomplish with the
project, one is to look at what risk factors put youths more at risk
of using; the other is to find out what is protecting adolescents from
crystal meth.

"I'm interested at looking into both sides of things," she
said.

"That information could be used at the family level for awareness, but
it could also be incorporated into counselling or workshops for
communities."

At the family level, the project will look at parenting styles and how
parents monitor's their children's friends and activities. She will
also look at the quality of time and how much of it a family spends
together.

"I'm interested in how and when parents and children are together and
how they are spending that time," she said.

Submissions to Harach can be anonymous.

She can be contacted via e-mail at  or through
regular mail at Lori Harach, 302 Human Ecology Building, University of
Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 2N1.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin