Pubdate: Tue, 16 Nov 2004
Source: Pincher Creek Echo (CN AB)
Copyright: 2004 Pincher Creek Echo
Contact:  http://www.pinchercreekecho.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1835
Author: Darby Gilbertson
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?135 (Drug Education)

DRUGS TOPIC OF SESSION

Pincher Creek Echo -- Around 30 people turned up for a Nov. 9 Community 
Policing Committee information session on drug use and prevention at the 
Community Hall, featuring Calgary RCMP Drug Awareness coordinator, Sgt. 
Carmen McKnight.

McKnight presented a slide show illustrating the different types of drugs, 
showing symptoms and effects of each and telling the crowd that a study 
done years back showed the average age for first time use was 10 years old 
for tobacco and 12 years old for both marijuana and alcohol.

"Nobody is exempt," McKnight told the crowd. "Some small communities have a 
bigger problem than big cities."

Listing the effects of cannabis and other drug use, McKnight told attendees 
that a study done on flight staff illustrated the fact that marijuana stays 
in the system much longer than alcohol.

"Twenty-four hours after smoking a joint, eight to nine out of 10 pilots 
crashed on a flight simulator," stated McKnight.

McKnight also spoke about methamphetamine use, noting that it's a growing 
problem, especially in both northern Alberta and Montana and that "meth is 
emerging as the number one drug problem around the world."

"One thing in our favour is that we are ahead of the game, the U.S. is to 
the point where it's almost epidemic," said McKnight, crediting the RCMP's 
development of a methamphetamine strategy involving increased public 
awareness of the drug.

While McKnight listed some of the signs of meth use, including increased 
activity, he told the crowd that there were "no set rules and signs" for 
drug use.

Fielding a question on how to tell if your child is using drugs, he told 
parents to look for changes in behaviour, truancy in school, change of 
friends and grades going down.

"The biggest thing is communication and education," McKnight stated.

"You have to talk to your kids."

For more information on drug prevention, please visit www.nida.nih.gov, 
www.aadac.com or contact your local RCMP. 
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