Pubdate: Sat, 06 Aug 2005
Source: Nanaimo News Bulletin (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005, BC Newspaper Group
Contact:  http://www.nanaimobulletin.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/948
Author: Beth Blackburn, RCMP
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

DRUGS, BOOZE A FACTOR IN RISKY BEHAVIOURS

This week I thought I would answer some of those questions that readers 
frequently ask.

Are alcohol and marijuana "gateway drugs"?

The term "gateway" drug is a term coined by the media that has different 
meanings to different people and how they choose to interpret it.

I don't like the term gateway because then it leads people to believe that 
everyone that uses alcohol or marijuana will then use or abuse other drugs 
such as cocaine, meth or heroin. In fact, we know that this is not true in 
every person.

What we do know is that the earlier in life that a person makes the choice 
to engage in risky behavior and unhealthy choices the greater the chances 
are that they will become a user or abuser of substances. This is why 
prevention is so important and that we need to educate our children at a 
young age.

If we can prolong the age of first alcohol or drugs use among youth then 
the chances of them misusing or abusing a substance greatly decreases.

When a person is under the influence of an intoxicating substance we also 
know from research and experience that they engage in activities that they 
would not normally engage in. Also their judgment is clouded and they make 
decisions and choices that they would not normally make.

As a police officer entering my 20th year of policing, I have heard clients 
make this statement over and over again: "I would not have done this or 
made that choice if I had not been intoxicated, impaired or drunk."

Alcohol and drugs aren't necessarily gateway to other substance use but 
they are proven to be a contributing factor in risky behavior and unhealthy 
choices.

What drug is the most widely abused drug in Nanaimo among youth?

The answer to this question surprises most people when I respond to this 
question.

Alcohol is the drug that is the most widely abused substance. Youth are 
exposed to alcohol at a very early age and when they see adults abusing or 
misusing this substance they feel that once they reach the age of 19, then 
it is a free-for-all to get drunk.

Educating not only youth about the dangers of alcohol misuse is important 
but parents also need to remember that they are role models for their 
children and their behaviour is closely monitored by their children.

Alcohol impairment is the leading factor for hospital emergency room visits 
among youth who have overdosed.

In drug facilitated sexual assault, unwanted sexual activity and 
unprotected sex amongst teens - again alcohol tops the list of the 
substance most likely to have been abused.

Feedback on the information in this column is important and if you have a 
question that I have not answered, please give me a call and I'll do my 
best to answer them.

I continually receive feedback from Nanaimo residents on my column and I 
just want to say that I appreciate the positive feedback and support I 
receive on a daily basis.

Together we can make a difference.

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Const. Beth Blackburn is the drug awareness coordinator for central 
Vancouver Island. She can be reached at 755-3226 or by e-mail at  ---
MAP posted-by: Beth