Pubdate: Tue, 24 Oct 2006
Source: Peace Arch News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 Peace Arch News
Contact:  http://www.peacearchnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1333
Author: Steven Addison

PACS TEEN DRUG AWARENESS VIDEO PLANNED

The Peninsula's largest social services agency has  received $25,000 
from Fraser Health Authority to  finance another drug awareness video 
for teens.

Peace Arch Community Services will tap into an  Addictions Prevention 
Grant to bankroll High School  Confidential, a drug awareness and 
education video  aimed at curbing substance abuse among young people, 
aged 13 to 24.

"It's going to look at all kinds of different drugs,  not just one 
drug," explained Peace Arch Community  Services' Kevin Letourneau.

The film will also look at ways people can manage  stress and find 
excitement without using drugs.

It's designed to ultimately be shown in high schools  across Canada.

Letourneau is working with director Michael Neitzel of  Pacific 
Television and Film to produce the video.  Completion date is March 2007.

The two also teamed up to produce 2005's Death by Jib  and this 
year's Cold as Ice, which looked at the impact  of crystal meth on 
users and their community.

The films are important educational tools, Surrey-White  Rock MLA 
Gordon Hogg said.

"Many young people are tempted by the lure of drugs and  as a society 
it is important we raise the consciousness  about the damages that 
result from substance abuse,"  Hogg said.

"The pressures placed on our youth to explore drugs and  alcohol are 
strong and this can lead to addiction and  abuse.

"By educating them through a medium through which they  can relate 
and understand, hopefully our youth will be  less likely to 
experiment with these harmful  substances."

White Rock Mayor Judy Forster said the documentaries  create dialogue 
in the community.

"They have a tremendous influence on youth," she said.

"Drugs affect everyone in society...because the root  cause of crime 
is because of drugs.

Backing for the latest production is part of a one-time  funding 
initiative in which 23 Fraser Health  organizations split more than 
$580,000 for substance  abuse programs.

Letourneau said High School Confidential will not only  feature 
stories from people who have used and abused  drugs and alcohol. It 
will also include people who  abstain.

"I want to hear from them. I want to hear them say  aEIt's stupid to 
do drugs and these are my reasons.'

"You'll have a product that can literally be shown to  thousands of 
kids for years and years."

Student feedback from PACS' first film, Death by Jib,  shows it is 
having an impact.

Of 815 students surveyed after watching the short  documentary, 48 
per cent they were made more aware of  how addictive crystal meth is, 
while 76 per cent said  they'd be less likely to try the drug, even 
if their  friends have done it.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Elaine