Pubdate: Fri, 08 Mar 2002
Source: Oakville Beaver (CN ON)
Copyright: 2002, Oakville Beaver
Contact:  http://www.haltonsearch.com/index.html?category=5D4GWHWX
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1600
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

SENDING THE WRONG MESSAGE

We don't understand why caring parents should have to leave Halton to get 
help for their drug-addicted children.

The lack of treatment programs and facilities in this region was made loud 
and clear at a recent meeting of Parent Watch, a not-for-profit 
organization that aims to help parents of troubled children.

Dozens of parents gathered to speak about their feelings of helplessness 
and despair where their child's welfare is concerned.

The cumulative effect of watching their sons and daughters get deeper and 
deeper into trouble with drugs made these parents do what some apparently 
won't -- talk about the growing problem in public.

According to Jim Harkins, founder and president of Oakville-based Family 
Adolescent Straight Talk Inc. -- a non-profit organization that predicts it 
will help the families of 300 young drug-users this year -- the lack of 
services stems from society's refusal to admit Halton has a youth drug 
problem that can start before children have reached high school.

And yet Harkins says a 1999 Halton survey revealed drug use among Grade 
7-OAC students mirrored that of communities across the province.

Many parents who have gone public with their concerns say they have taken 
time off work as a temporary measure to help keep their children clean. One 
mother admitted to not having a clue her daughter had started using drugs 
in Grade 8. Another revealed that both her teenage sons are drug users.

For their willingness to speak publicly about the problem, these parents 
deserve to be heard and applauded. What's more, they have earned the right 
to see an effort made to establish a detoxification centre to serve the 
needs of young Halton residents.

It's hard enough for individuals and their families to admit there's a 
problem. By not making treatment more readily available, our society sends 
the wrong message about where its priorities lie.

Attacking the supply of drugs by raiding grow houses and arresting dealers 
is only half the battle.

We must also reduce the demand by helping break the addiction of those who 
use and by preventing our children from getting hooked.
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MAP posted-by: Alex