Pubdate: Fri, 01 Sep 2006
Source: Inside Stratford/Perth (CN ON)
Copyright: 2006 by Inside Stratford/Perth
Contact:  http://www.insidestratfordperth.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3909
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN MAY BE INCREASING DRUG USE

(PERTH) - A campaign to get youths off methamphetamine drugs may 
actually be encouraging more use of other dangerous drugs, warns a 
local counselling  agency. "A frightening trend that we at Choices 
for Change have seen over the past year has been more youth using 
chemical drugs than ever before," states Karen Zwakenberg in a media release.

"We believe that this is a spinoff of the very valid media 
information about meth being so dangerous. The result of this 
information for some youth is to play down how dangerous other drugs 
are, even if they might previously have considered them dangerous. We 
are seeing more youth using dangerous drugs like ecstasy, cocaine, 
large amounts of caffeine, hallucinogens, as well as cannabis and alcohol."

Choices for Change: Alcohol, Drug & Gambling Counselling Centre is a 
member of the Perth County Taskforce on Crystal Meth, which makes the 
warning even more ironic.

Zwakenberg, who notes that Perth County is known as the "meth 
capital" of Ontario, says "knowing that meth is dangerous does not 
mean that other drugs are safer." She says one of the agency's 
clients felt "no one understands how hard it is to go back once you 
are part of the drug world...; think of it as a bubble that does not 
exist until you are inside of it."

Zwakenberg says young people wishing  to talk to someone about 
drinking or drugs may set up a confidential interview with a youth 
worker by calling 519-271-6730.

The Choices for Change website notes, "We provide free and 
confidential counselling services to anyone who has concerns about 
their own or someone else's drug and/or alcohol use, or problem 
gambling behaviour.

"Our goal is to help you and those you care about regain control of 
your life and give you hope for the future. Change is possible! Our 
main office is located in downtown Stratford and we have outreach 
offices in Listowel, St. Marys, Milverton and Mitchell. As well, our 
youth workers provide services in all Perth County high schools."
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman