Pubdate: Wed, 27 Jun 2012
Source: Kamloops Daily News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 Kamloops Daily News
Contact:  http://www.kamloopsnews.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/679
Author: Jennifer Thuncher

IF NARCAN WORKS, BRING IT ON

While vacationing in Kamloops this past weekend, I read the Saturday 
article on the possible use of Narcan to treat heroin users.

The article stated that the region has the highest per-capita rates 
of drug-related hospitalization. This was a bit of an epiphany for 
me. Raising my sons in the Lower Mainland, we have had to discuss and 
educate them on drug use from a ridiculously early age.

At pre-school age we were forced to talk to them about needles and 
used condoms, which were both found on their playground. By 
kindergarten, when they were walking more in the community around the 
school, we discussed what a drug addict looks like and what to do to 
avoid becoming one.

Today, with four teenagers, we discuss what each drug, which they 
encounter on the way to school, and what it does to the body and how 
to say no (or yes responsibly).

We go through the Downtown Eastside on our way to and from events so 
they see the carnage of a drug lifestyle. I am also ever watchful of 
my sons and their friends for signs of trouble.

For years, I have felt somewhat guilty that my children had to be 
exposed to these things, but reading this article has made me wonder 
if it is also what is protecting them.

Perhaps in Kamloops and area, the relative wealth and idyllic 
setting, the envy of those of us in the concrete jungle, also creates 
a false sense of security where parents, friends and relatives don't 
think about, or watch for the signs of addiction until it is too late.

In regards to the debate around Narcan, I can only offer that 
anything that helps gets people clean is a worthy endeavour. Drug 
addiction is an ugly reality for people from all walks of life and 
for both urban and rural citizens. If we drop the judgment, open up 
the conversations and our eyes, perhaps we can reduce the number of casualties.

Jennifer Thuncher

Burnaby
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom