Pubdate: Wed, 06 Dec 2006 Source: Castlegar News (CN BC) Copyright: 2006 Castlegar News Contact: http://www.castlegarnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3613 Author: Jane Hicks DRUG CARDS TELL IT LIKE IT IS Alcohol, marijuana, crack, prescription drugs, tobacco, and chemicals that most adults have never even heard of, are easy to come by. And according to government stats, more and more young people are experimenting with them at an ever-earlier age. But local group Freedom Quest is having a very positive response to its set of "drug cards" that show just how badly drug-takers can get burned. Tammy Verigin-Burk is the Executive Director of Freedom Quest Regional Youth Services, a West Kootenay Boundary organisation sponsored by Interior Health that serves local youth and families affected by addiction issues. She says the cards were developed for and by local youth and young adults, who feel it is important that there is information available that is " balanced, and not pro-use, but still with a harm reduction component. "Other cards do exist but our youth suggested the need for cards that would really make people think about whether they wanted to use the drugs," says Tammy. "This initiative came from young people who have used the drugs themselves. They wanted cards that reflect the reality in the Kootenays. So we got a mini grant, and with the help of a summer student they came up with a list of all the drugs that are being used locally, and then we had them produce all of the art." Evidently the cards hit the spot as they have been purchased by organizations across this region and into Alberta. Stacey Lock, Program Coordinator for Nelson District Youth Centre, says she, other staff and the 16 peer volunteers that work at the centre use the cards all the time. "We use them if staff need help describing the different types of drugs and their affects. The art was done by a local youth and they are a handy size. The wording is simple and concise. They don't sugar-coat the issue. Being properly informed helps people make safe choices and know what they are getting into." The explicit drug cards explain what each drug is, how it is used, the effects, addiction potential and the risks. They certainly don't pull any punches; the 19 cards list death, suicide, depression and brain damage among the risks that face drug users. They also offer parents a sobering reminder of the world of experimentation that is an inevitable part of the transition from child to adult. Tammy does nothing to dispel parental anxiety "I believe there is an escalation in drug use at the moment that we really need to be concerned about. I believe that prescription drugs are the biggest problem. It's really easy for youth to use these drugs without detection in the beginning, and they are freely available and very addictive. We are seeing more youth becoming more heavily addicted, more quickly than we did in the past." Fifteen-year-old Victoria Griko is a peer volunteer at the Nelson Youth Centre. She agrees that the drug problem is "pretty bad" in the Kootenays, and that the drug cards fill a vital need. "I don't think they make people not take drugs, but it helps them to know what to do if they do take them, and that's important. Taking drugs is often part of a phase where young people need to experiment. The cards warn you about the bad things that can happen, and they tell you what to do to keep yourself as safe as possible." Drug cards are available at local libraries, schools, youth centres and other outreach organizations. There are Freedom Quest offices in Nelson, Castlegar and Trail, with satellite locations in Nakusp, Kaslo, Grand Forks and Salmo. - --- MAP posted-by: Elaine