Find out before your kids do Do you know what's in your child's backpack? You might be missing more than just school announcements and dried up apples. Quesnel's District Parent Advisory Council is holding their second Drug Trends presentation, Oct. 27, 7 p.m. in Correlieu gym. RCMP Constables Scott Cundy with the drug section and Krista Vrolyk of the crime reduction unit will deliver the message that awareness and communication with your children is paramount. "The presentation isn't meant to scare the community, it's meant to serve as a reality check," Vrolyk said. [continues 423 words]
For one parent, finding out what's going on in Quesnel regarding drugs and risks to her children, prompted her to attend last year's presentation sponsored by Quesnel and District Parent Advisory Council. This year, Pam (not her real name) wants more parents and the public to be aware of the issues in the community. "My children are young but if parents aren't educated, they can't educate their children," she said. "Many people don't realize the drug problem in Quesnel. It's more than a street issue, its in the schools, affluent neighbourhoods and in the offices and businesses, it's everywhere." [continues 467 words]
The word on the street isn't always something parents understand, which becomes critical when youth get involved with drugs. Quesnel's District Parent Advisory Council felt a frank and open discussion with the two RCMP officers most closely connected to Quesnel's drug scene might shed some light on the issue. "We were looking for something that would benefit the whole community," DPAC's Pam Mooreside said. "We had more than 100 people show up." Cpl. Luiz Sardinha said that was an excellent turnout. [continues 548 words]
Addressing The Treatment And Attitudes Towards Marginalized People Harm reduction begins with how you think. After reflecting on the people lost to their risky life and how marginalized some segments of the community are, street nurse Kathy Wrath, former street nurse and current CNC nursing instructor Bruce Self and UNBC associate professor in the school of social work, Heather Peters, felt compelled to do something about the treatment and attitudes towards those most marginalized. Last Friday, 273 front line workers in health and social services as well as students just entering the professions, gathered at the community campus for a Harm Reductions in Rural and Northern Communities conference. Knowing how pivotal physicians are in the effective assessment and treatment of marginalized people, the group tailored many of the subjects to this group. [continues 439 words]
Near Fatal Beating Brought Addict Back to Life Steven (not his real name) lived for stress and chaos. Living a double life - one side honest work, the other drugs - he juggled the demands like a circus performer. When he burned all his bridges, the 30-year-old was broke, badly beaten and with no place to turn - decided to find a way to turn things around. His life with substance abuse began with sneaking alcohol from his parents when he was 12. [continues 962 words]
As the lights dimmed in the QSS gym, girls giggled and the boys yelled "Yo". Psychedelic lights flashed as gutsy, raw Wrap music belted out of two banks of speakers drowning crowd noise. Cranked was up and running. The dream child of Michael P. Northey, Cranked presents the gritty, terrifying truth about crystal meth. In the one-man show, Kyle Cameron, wraps out the story of a young man, Stanley, who sinks into a crystal meth zombie world. The words speak of the unspeakable, crank-heads eating their own scabs to recycle the high. [continues 179 words]
United Steelworkers executive in locals 1-424 and 1-425 in Prince George and Williams Lake are concerned about substance abuse and gambling addiction amongst their members. Presidents Frank Everitt and Bill Derbyshire took their concerns to USW's wood council and received unanimous approval to address the issue. A national advisory council was formed, which includes substance abuse specialists and Substance Abuse and Gambling Addiction program was developed. SAGA provides training to identify and educate USW members on how to create an earlier support system for those suffering from substance abuse or gambling addiction. [continues 356 words]
Crystal meth is coming to a town near you. In fact, indications are it has already arrived. Lee Mason recently presented a workshop designed to bring the brutal truth about crystal methamphetamine to students and resource workers in an effort to stop the use of this deadly drug before it grips the community. Mason, of the Young Warriors Network, received a grant from Union of B.C. Municipalities to bring this message to 20 northern communities. With the aid of a very graphic video, which chronicles the effects of the drug on several young people, an array of potentially deadly household chemicals that are used in the production of crystal meth, and a message of hope, self-esteem and value, Mason sat comfortably in front of a circle of teenagers. [continues 577 words]
During Addictions Awareness Week, November 17 to 23, it is not only important to recognize what addictions are and how they affect both the addict and their family and friends, but it is also important to publicize some of the options available when an addict wants to quit. Quesnel Addiction Services (QAS) operates from the old wing of G.R. Baker Hospital. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., but the counsellors can often be found working far past those perimeters. [continues 365 words]
