Pubdate: Fri, 11 Aug 2006
Source: Beacon Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2006 Parry Sound North Star
Contact:  http://www.parrysoundbeaconstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3695
Author: Shannon Mills

SIGN ME UP TO HELP YOUTH

To the editor:

I have been following the progress of Parry Sound's H.A.R.T. (Helping 
Addicts Restore Themselves) initiative since I attended the group's 
first meeting. It was with interest that I read the findings of the 
recent Building a System study (in the North Star August 9). I am 
hoping that the researchers involved in this study, who aim to 
"identify and address service gaps in the West Parry Sound catchment 
area," as Wednesday's article explains, are as interested in 
preventative measures as they seem to be in prescriptive ones. Yes, 
Parry Sound needs a detox centre, but our community also needs to 
invest its energies in preventing individuals, especially our 
vulnerable youth, from developing addictive habits before they spiral 
out of control. As the old saying goes, "An ounce of prevention is 
worth a pound of cure."

I may not be a parent, but as a teacher at Parry Sound High School, I 
know very well the worry and pain that accompanies the realization 
that a promising young person has developed a debilitating addiction 
to alcohol or drugs. At H.A.R.T's initial meeting, it broke my heart 
to hear two of my former students introduce themselves to the 
audience as "recovering addicts." I am certain that every adult in 
the audience shared my sense of shame in not having identified their 
addictions, and intervened, before they needed the help of a detox 
centre. Part of the problem, I think, is the naivete of many adults 
when it comes to alcohol and drug addiction. When I came to Parry 
Sound, I arrived with the mistaken assumption that small towns don't 
have big drug problems. The information I heard at H.A.R.T's first 
meeting blew that illusion away; however, I still find it hard to 
accept that some grade nine students arrive at our high school 
already hooked, on drugs.

It's difficult to understand that for some teens, alcohol and drug 
use is not a Saturday-night recreation, but a daily, all-consuming 
appetite which destroys the physical and psychological well-being of 
smart, talented kids.

The availability of addictive substances to minors, and the ease with 
which an individual can access them, is alarming.

Even more mind-boggling is the knowledge that some addictions start 
right at home -- a cycle of dependency passed from parent to child.

In the article, Mr. Deane recognizes that PSHS "has done some very 
admirable things, but there are other areas where I think they could 
be doing better." Sign me up. Following the courageous disclosures of 
those two young men to their battles with addiction, I pledged to 
work harder to prevent any young person under my influence from 
suffering the same ordeal. I know that my colleagues feel the same. 
Working together, I am certain that our townspeople can both prevent 
the spread of addiction, and facilitate the healing of those who have 
already been impacted.

Shannon Mills

Parry Sound
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