Pubdate: Tue, 07 Jun 2005
Source: Abbotsford Times (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 The Abbotsford Times
Contact:  http://www.abbotsfordtimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1009
Author: Christina Toth, Staff reporter

ESCAPE FROM PARENTS AND THE DRUG CULTURE
On the outside wall of Impact's new lodgings, a big exuberant
explosion of blue, red, yellow and black lettering exclaims,
"Drug-free!"

The graffiti art reflects the energy of the young people inside the
drug counselling centre - they too are a little loud, exuberant and
celebrating being drug-free. Or at least they're trying to get there,
and Impact opens a huge door for them to find their way back to reality.

"It's definitely a safe place. When I'm tweaking out at home and my
parents don't know what's going on, I can come here," said Leah, 18,
an Impact veteran.

For 14 years, Impact has been educating local youth about the downfall
of drugs, offering them a sanctuary from their drug-culture friends,
and even parents and teachers.

"They might hear the same thing from us that they hear from their
parents, but sometimes the message gets in when it's coming from
another source," said executive director Sean Spear.

Impact, funded by the Fraser Health Authority, offers group and
individual counselling and information at outreach talks at local
schools. Requests and referrals come from all local public and private
high schools and middle schools, Spear said. The centre sees about 200
young people a year and up to 20 kids regularly attend group meetings.

Spear, the tattooed, punk rock musician who keeps his tiny Boston
terrier in his office, understands the challenges the kids face. He's
a veteran of his own battle with drugs, having survived 10 years of
drug use and life in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver.

"It's really like a relationship with the drugs. It becomes more
important than anything else. You take the drugs away and there's a
complete void," he said.

Impact can fill that void.

"If this wasn't here, I'd be getting high, for sure. I choose to come
here," said Ian,16, who was ordered to attend Impact.

For drugs, Ian sold his XBox and games, borrowed money and stole. He
also got caught. He spent a couple of months in juvenile detention for
stealing equipment from his uncle's work site, and it's not an
experience he wants to go through again. He doesn't even want to talk
about it. He kept coming after his mandatory sessions were over.

The young people gather a few times a week in the back room, which is
furnished with couches, a foosball table and billiards. It's where
they share their war stories without fear of judgments from the adults
in their lives. There's peer pressure here, too, but it's positive and
supportive. The Impact kids also bring their friends.

"We talk about problems and stresses at school, how to deal with
anger, how to stay clean," said Jessie, whose experience includes
coke, heroin, ecstasy and a "lot of drinking" and violence.

For some, drugs become a shield from hard issues like gay bashing,
peer pressure, violence, anger and family.

"You're trying to find yourself and your group and it's hard to say,
'No,' especially when you're young. You get high for eight hours, but
you still have to come down and your family problems are still there,
only it's worse. You still have to deal with your problems," said Jessie.

The kids here talk a lot about reality. Instead of focusing on getting
high, getting money to get high and meeting the approval of drug
culture buddies, they talk about getting jobs and college.

Leah wants to be a lawyer, Jessie wants to be a cop. For now, Ian is
just happy to stay clean. 
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MAP posted-by: SHeath(DPFFlorida)