Pubdate: Tue, 21 Feb 2012 Source: Abbotsford Times (CN BC) Copyright: 2012 The Abbotsford Times Contact: http://www.abbotsfordtimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1009 Author: Rochelle Baker, The Times APD'S OPERATION X TARGETS ECSTASY Police Focusing on Youth Belief Ecstasy Is Safer The Abbotsford Police Department launched a community-wide street drug prevention campaign dubbed Operation X on Monday in response to a recent string of ecstasy deaths in Abbotsford and the Lower Mainland. The goal of the campaign is to make youth aware that no street drugs are safe, said Sgt. Casey Vinet of the APD youth squad. Many teenagers mistakenly believe ecstasy is safer than other illegal drugs such as heroin, cocaine and crystal meth, said Vinet. "One of the things we keep hearing from our young people is that they think ecstasy is a safe drug," he said. "There is no such thing as a safe illicit drug and we are determined to spread that message as far and wide as possible." The first wave of the campaign features warning messages alongside images of bagged, brightly coloured pills that will appear on posters, bus benches and in materials that will be distributed in the city's schools. A nutritional label outlining the potentially toxic chemicals to be found in the drug and some of the health risks associated with ingesting it are also featured. Additionally, the APD has sent an information letter home to parents in the school district in both English and Punjabi to help them educate themselves about street drugs, and to help initiate meaningful discussions with their children about ecstasy. The information package outlines reasons why young people take drugs and the signs and symptoms of drug use. It also provides approaches parents can use when talking to their children about drug use. The APD also has a dedicated 24/7 Youth Line for teens and parents who need advice or who would like to talk to police about any drug issue. Two Abbotsford youth, 17-year-old Cheryl McCormack and Tyler Miller, 20, died in recent months after overdosing on the drug. Another 24-year-old woman was hospitalized in critical condition after taking ecstasy on New Year's. A wave of young people have died in both the Vancouver and Calgary areas after taking the drug, which in some instances has been laced with a toxic chemical. For more information on Operation X, visit the APD website at www. abbypd.ca. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr.