Pubdate: Tue, 30 Oct 2001
Source: Strathmore Standard (CN AB)
Website: http://www.bowesnet.com/strathmore/
Address: Box 2250, 136-2nd Ave. Strathmore, Alberta T1P 1K2
Fax: (403) 934-5011
Contact:  Asa Purdy
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

AADAC OPENS SATELLITE OFFICE IN STRATHMORE

Local Office Best Bet To Fight Addictions, Say Community Members

After years of anticipation, the Strathmore community saw the opening of an 
AADAC office on Oct. 1.

AADAC addictions counsellor Shannon Fraser is assessing and providing 
counselling for individuals, couples and families with alcohol, drug and 
gambling problems. In some cases, depending on the severity of the problem 
and other factors, clients may be referred to a treatment centre.

Last May, community members met with Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse 
Commission representatives to talk about the need for a permanent AADAC 
office in Strathmore. At that time, an AADAC representative had already 
served the community for about five years, but members said a local office 
would serve the town and area better.

As AADAC received more government funding this year, it was able to open 
satellite offices in Strathmore, Cochrane and High River.

And so far, the feedback from the community has been very positive.

"The response has been wonderful," said Fraser. "AADAC feels very welcome 
here."

She extended her thanks to Hearthstone Child & Family Services, which 
offered her office space.

Fraser has been with AADAC since 1987 and has worn many hats since then, 
including supervisor of the Calgary office.

She would be glad to speak about alcohol, drug and gambling issues to 
community groups or schools.

Early intervention is crucial, said StoreFront school principal Denise 
Peterson, and there needs to be more education about the dangers of drugs 
in schools.

One of her students, who preferred not to be named, said there was no such 
education available in high school. The student, who moved here from 
Calgary, added there are more drug dealers here than in the city. However, 
she pointed out, as Strathmore is a small community, drug abuse is 
therefore more visible.

The town is doing better than most communities, but it still has problems, 
said Peterson. Use of marijuana is the biggest problem. The drug halts 
emotional growth and drives away all ambition.

"They can't get out of bed in the morning," she said. "If they do secure a 
job, they can't keep it."

Drinking is pervasive, but it's not as bad as it was 10 or 20 years ago. 
However, teenagers still drink too much.

Peterson has seen an increase of designer drugs, such as Ecstasy. Kids 
believe the drug isn't addictive. Some females use it to lose weight. Some 
kids get high to escape everyday life.

"Many have holes in their lives," she said. "They fill it with drugs. It 
kills the pain."

In other cases, taste is just as important as the effect.

"I have kids who say to me 'I love the taste of beer'," said Sharon 
Blanchard, a family/school/community resource worker, who works with kids 
with behavioral problems all over Wheatland County.

There are some warning signs that parents should keep in mind: withdrawal, 
change of friends, a drop in grades. It could be a spiral of addiction 
starting.

If so, many parents initially have feelings of denial and later blame 
themselves for what happened.

To help drug addicts, there needs to be a community involvement, said 
Blanchard. She would also like to see a support group for parents and 
children respectively where those affected share their problems.

Shannon Fraser said she would like to run a support group for parents.

If you have a drug/gambling problem or know someone who does, call Fraser 
at 901-1326. This is a confidential voicemail. Confidentiality extends 
beyond the office; if you meet with Fraser, she will not acknowledge you in 
public unless you acknowledge her.

Some people say you cannot save everyone with a drug problem. But Denise 
Peterson strongly disagrees.

"You sure as heck can save every single one with help from the community."

(SIDEBAR)

ABC For Drugs

Alcohol

Alcohol actually acts as a depressant on your central nervous system, 
slowing down brain functioning.

A common effect of drinking alcohol is a sense of well-being. This feeling 
could be accompanied by drowsiness, dizziness and flushing. After one or 
two drinks, you may not appear drunk, but you have already lost some of 
your coordination skills. Drinking more alcohol will affect your speech, 
balance and vision. Drinking heavily over a long period of time can lead to 
serious health problems such as stomach ulcers, sexual problems, liver 
disease, brain damage, and many kinds of cancer. Excessive drinking is 
often responsible for financial, legal and family problems.

Ecstasy

Ecstasy is a hallucinogen related to amphetamines. It is a chemical 
(methylenedioxymeth-amphetamine or MDMA) made in drug labs. Ecstasy is also 
called E, XTC, Adam, Euphoria, X, MDM and Love Doves.

Ecstasy is popular at "rave" parties, all-night dances often held in 
abandoned warehouses. Ecstasy usually comes in gelatin capsules or tablets. 
The tablets are small, can be any colour, and may have a dove, a hammer and 
sickle, or a diamond on one side. Ecstasy can also come in a powder, which 
is snorted or dissolved and injected.

You can feel the effects of Ecstasy about 20 to 40 minutes after taking it. 
The high can last four to six hours.

Ecstasy can make you feel mildly intoxicated, relaxed and energetic.

You feel trusting, loving and warm towards others. You may feel that you 
are experiencing spiritual insights.

Ecstasy also makes sensations stronger (especially touch).

Ecstasy can also cause jaw clenching, teeth grinding, anxiety or panic 
attacks, blurred vision, vomiting, and increased sweating, blood pressure 
and heart rate.

It may cause depression, irritability, poor concentration, forgetfulness, 
exhaustion and paranoia (delusions of persecution). These effects can last 
for several days.

Ecstasy has been involved in deaths due to severe dehydration and heat 
exhaustion, abnormal heart rhythms and liver failure.

There is evidence that high doses of Ecstasy can damage brain cells.

Gambling

Gambling problems can range from minor to quite serious. The gambling may 
cause only occasional problems in the gambler's life - for example, making 
it difficult to pay the utility bill or rent some month. Or it may progress 
and have an ongoing negative impact on the gambler and his or her even 
illegal activity.

Here are some signs that a person may have a gambling problem:

* Spends large amounts of time gambling. This allows little time for 
family, friends or other interests.

* Begins to place larger, more frequent bets. Larger bets are necessary to 
get the same level of excitement.

* Has growing debts. The person with a gambling problem is secretive or 
defensive about money, and may borrow money from family members or friends. 
Pins hopes on the "big win." The problem gambler believes the big win, 
rather than changing the gambling behaviour, will solve financial or other 
problems.
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MAP posted-by: Beth