Pubdate: Tue, 23 Nov 2004 Source: Powell River Peak (CN BC) Copyright: 2004 Peak Publishing Ltd. Contact: http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?brd=1998 Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/734 Author: Isabelle Southcott TESTING YOUTHS' DRUG AND ALCOHOL SMARTS Who Wants to Have a Healthy Lifestyle booth will be modelled on Who Wants to be a Millionaire A former Powell River student is returning to school this month to help educate others about the perils of drug and alcohol. Tawnya Wodzinski is a member of the LEAD (Let's Educate About Drugs) committee and will volunteer at booth at this year's Addiction Awareness Carnival at Oceanview Middle School on Monday, November 29. Wodzinski will be stationed at the Who Wants to Have a Healthy Lifestyle booth--a spoof on the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire game show. "There will be questions about alcohol," said Susan Hill, drug and alcohol prevention coordinator for Powell River Mental Health and Addiction Services. All grade-eight students in Powell River will have the opportunity to attend the carnival on November 29. Hill said it is a good time for students to learn the truth about alcohol and drugs and how they can affect someone's life. "I'm very alarmed at the way teens are drinking," Hill told The Peak. "Some of them are drinking hard liquor straight and they're drinking large amounts." Hill said some teens--boys and girls alike--are drinking a mickey (13 ounces) at a time. "It's very scary because it's not just once. Often times they're doing this on a regular basis. They're developing a tolerance very quickly, which is a predictor for problem drinking later on." National mountain bike champion Mike Jones will be this year's guest speaker at the carnival. Jones, who is a motivational speaker and adventure seeker, will talk about alcohol, drugs and peer pressure. At the carnival students will have the opportunity to work their way through about a dozen booths and sample the popular mocktail. Wodzinski, who attended the carnival herself eight years ago, said she thinks it is important for youth to educate other youth and not just have adults do the educating. "It helps get the message across," she said. "It wasn't that long ago that I was in grade eight doing this, so I have some insight into what's effective and what's not." As in past years, brown bags distributed at Safeway during National Addictions Awareness Week and will be decorated with health promotion messages created by local elementary school students. People are also invited to participate in a swim at the Powell River Recreation Complex at 7 pm on Friday, November 26. It costs a dollar and will be aimed at elementary school students. Drug and alcohol awareness information will be available at this event. Hill's services are offered at no charge to youth who are seeking information on drug and alcohol counselling. Adults who require addiction information can contact an adult counsellor at Powell River Mental Health and Addiction Services. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin