Pubdate: Fri, 02 Dec 2005 Source: Parksville Qualicum Beach News (CN BC) Copyright: 2005 Parksville Qualicum Beach News Contact: http://www.pqbnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1361 Author: Colleen Dane Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?241 (Methamphetamine - Canada) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) ADVOCATE FOR CHILDREN Helping develop self-confidence and being an advocate for your children, are just two suggestions to help youth avoid drugs made by parent Kerry Jackson Tuesday night. "Over his lifetime and many times since then I've said to myself - if only I knew then what I know now," said Jackson during a presentation sponsored by the Oceanside Community Crystal Meth Task Force. She was referring to the loss of her only son, Ryan, who was addicted to crystal methamphetamine. Ryan committed suicide nearly four years ago -just days before his 27th birthday. Jackson says of all the things she's learned about addiction, crystal meth and mental illness since his death, the most productive information she felt she could share with others was early signs and vulnerabilities to drug addiction. For example, her son had suffered early childhood trauma, including the death of his father and sexual molestation by a babysitter. He had also fallen a few times, causing what Jackson suspects was a frontal lobe injury. As a single mom, Jackson says she also moved around too much - not knowing what experts have told her now about the need for a stable home, especially for kids at age two, and between 12 and 14. Her vision in retrospect, she says, is 20/20, which is why she's started a support program called 20/20 Parenting Inc. Jackson's presentation was a part of an evening sponsored by the task force. It also included a presentation by Oceanside RCMP Constable Kevin Day, and a viewing of the video Ruined Lives. The comments that followed Jackson's presentation ranged from questions on the amount of use in the Oceanside area, to the effectiveness of law enforcement in treatment of addiction. Jackson reminded everyone that the most important preventative measure for youth is open communication with those around them - something parents have to start by modeling the behaviour themselves. "We're setting the wrong example for our youth - we're not talking about our feelings." - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin