Pubdate: Wed, 19 Sep 2007 Source: Wanganui Chronicle (New Zealand) Copyright: 2007 APN News & Media Ltd Contact: http://www.wanganuichronicle.co.nz/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4336 Author: Lin Ferguson Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?135 (Drug Education) MORE YOUTH SEEKING DRUGS EDUCATION WANGANUI'S young people are asking for more detailed and earlier drug education for them, their peers and younger brothers and sisters. Wanganui Youth Services Trust manager Jean Benge said yesterday that after publicity about the rising rate of the serious sexually transmitted infection (STI) gonorrhea last month, more than 300 young people booked appointments with the service. With so many new clients booked in, trust staff decided to draw up a general questionnaire asking what did they consider their needs were and how did they need the service to help them. The overwhelming answer given by most, who were aged between 14 and 22, was for more and detailed information on drugs. Most of them them said they didn't just want the information for themselves and their peers, but wanted it for younger siblings at home. She said it was amazing and very heartening to realise these young people trusted staff at the service enough to talk to them about other issues that were troubling them as well. A lot of them were there for an STI check, but most just wanted to talk to us. It was the call for more drug information that had really surprised staff. Especially that information about drugs should be given out much earlier in schools, she said. Their main concern was for young siblings, not wanting them to get hooked into the drug world because once you're in it's hard, hard time trying to quit. Ms Benge believes that young people in the city are becoming more aware, especially about health and drug issues. They are talking to us and we're very happy because it shows there really is a growing awareness out there among our young people at last. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom