Pubdate: Mon, 30 Mar 2009
Source: Aurora, The (CN NF)
Copyright: 2009 The Aurora
Contact:  http://www.theaurora.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3219
Author: Cpl. Keith MacKinnon
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

WHAT DOES IT TAKE? THE EVIL IN YOUR BACKYARD

Four girls became seriously ill while attending a wedding celebration
on the Paul First Nation, west of Edmonton, early Sunday morning and
were taken to hospital after allegedly taking what they thought was
ecstasy. Police were called after the girls suddenly became sick.
Three of the teens were rushed to hospital in Edmonton. Two died.

The RCMP has checked the pills and has confirmed there is NO evidence
the drugs were laced with anything. That's straight fact. The very
same ecstasy is available in virtually any community in Newfoundland
and Labrador. See, it doesn't have to be laced with anything to be
deadly.

Just yesterday I was called to a local elementary school where the
principal found a smoker outside the school and we disposed of same
for him. Young people that try drugs have the feeling of
invincibility, that it won't hurt them, only someone else. But it
doesn't work that way. This is not big city stuff; drugs are easily
transported, smuggled through the mail, in vehicles etc. to your
community. These unfortunate youth were not the first and will not be
the last fatalities from drug use. So how do we get the message
through to the next potential victim-who could be your own children
that decide to experiment?

We have to educate them and continue to remain abreast of developing
trends in the area. Talk about drugs at home. Teachers need to talk to
them in the schools about drugs. Peer issues need to be discussed
openly. We have to encourage less pack behavior and more individualism
and responsibility. Caregivers have to step up to the plate. I had a
grandparent tell me they didn't need any drug information as their
kids had grown up. So what about the grandchildren? Education never
stops. My thoughts go out to the families and so should yours. We can
learn from this and take something good away from it. Drugs will never
stop but you can do your part in lowering demand by raising awareness.
There is nothing this powerful stimulant ecstasy does to "recreate",
it only can destroy. It has that much in common with so many other
illicit drugs available to youth today. Learn and learn some more,
then share it around a bit. The life you could be saving could be your
own child.

One blog I read on the CBC website quotes the frustration some feel
over such a horrible event:

"Too young to have been taken away from their family and friends, all
through the innocence of being young and exploring with what some
people call recreational drugs. While these two girls' families
struggle with this tragedy, there is someone, somewhere living high on
the hog, not contributing in any way to society that should be put
away with all other people who make, promote, and distribute these
recreational drugs to our innocent youth."

There is a reason these are illegal, and why it is against the law to
have them. The law exists to protect society and the youth within it.
Colourful pills with designs on them are only a cruel disguise. Be
smart, be informed and share the knowledge.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin