Pubdate: Tue, 28 Dec 1999
Source: Examiner, The (Ireland)
Copyright: Examiner Publications Ltd, 1999
Contact:  http://www.examiner.ie/

UK'S ANTI DRUGS WARNINGS IGNORED BY YOUNGSTERS

YOUNGSTERS are ignoring warnings about the dangers of drugs - and many are
paying with their lives.

With a 15 year old girl thought to be youngest victim in Scotland this year,
anti drugs campaigners warned that more children were being enticed to use
drugs to emulate their pop idols.

Kerry Ann Kirk was believed to be the latest victim of drugs. She was found
at a friend's house in School Street, Coatbridge, on Sunday. If her death is
confirmed as drugs related, the teenager, of Ailsa Road, Coatbridge will be
the 146th victim in Scotland this year.

Janet Betts, whose step daughter Leah died in November 1995 after taking an
Ecstasy tablet at her 18th birthday party in Latchingdon, Essex, said
children were increasingly coming into contact with drugs.

"Dealers want to make money and they do not care how young the people are
they sell to."

Many children were being lured into taking drugs in order to emulate the
glamorous lifestyles of their idols, such as pop stars who are openly
admitting they have taken drugs, Mrs Betts said.

She stressed that parents must take an active role in trying to stop the
drugs menace. "You can say this will not happen to my family but you will
never know unless you know at every minute where your child is and what they
are doing," said Mrs Betts.
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