Pubdate: Wed, 13 Dec 2006
Source: Express (Nelson, CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 Kootenay Express Communication Corp.
Contact: http://www.expressnews.ca/letters.html
Website: http://www.expressnews.ca
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2339
Author: Susan Hollis

KEEPING KIDS CRYSTAL CLEAR

Gritty Website Gives Kootenay Youth Hard, Cold Facts About Crystal 
Meth and Other Drugs

The war against crystal meth has never been so widely publicized; nor 
has it ever been so out of control, with a high percentage of youth 
admitting they have tried the drug, and many suffering the 
devastating effects of addiction.

To help combat the drug's deadly grip, a new website has been created 
for Kootenay youth, designed to unsheathe the bitter realities of 
substance abuse.

The website, called staycrystalclear.com is part of Crystal Clear, a 
social awareness campaign that doesn't sugar coat issues around drugs 
and alcohol.  The project was recently launched by Keeping Kids Safe, 
and was funded by a grant from the Union of BC Municipalities.

"Drug and alcohol abuse is a huge problem for youth in B.C.," said 
Donna Leskosek, team leader of Columbia Basin Resource Society. 
Leskosek and her project partner Shauna Filgate spend much of their 
time dealing with the effects of drugs and alcohol on local families. 
"People think small towns don't have big drug problems but the drugs 
are here, meth is here.  It's a B.C.-wide problem, not just an urban issue."

Leskosek founded Keeping Kids Safe in 2004, along with Filgate and 
Rhonda Shears, protection social workers with B.C.'s Ministry of 
Children and Families, after seeing a growing number of youth in 
substance abuse-related trouble.  They knew they were on the right 
track when a 2005 survey conducted by East Kootenay Addiction 
Services Society showed that the average age crystal meth users first 
try the drug is 15.  The results also show that as substance uses 
increases, so does the likelihood the same youth will engage in risky 
behaviour. 40 per cent of respondents who use alcohol, marijuana and 
other drugs reported that their substance use caused them to engage 
in unwanted or unplanned sexual activity.

"We've seen firsthand how drugs and alcohol destroy lives, families 
and communities," continued Filgate.  "We needed to show people what 
drug abuse really does and how to get help."

The website, www.staycrystqalclear.com, is designed for youth aged 14 
to 22, with special sections for parents.

"Our message to parents is this: these aren't the same drugs as 30 
years ago.  Many of the drugs today are so powerful they can lead to 
instant addiction and/or instant death.  Once, can change someone's 
life forever," said Leskosek, adding that the region's bush party 
culture and the number of adults who are OK with their kids drinking 
adds to the problem.  "Alcohol is perhaps the most dangerous drug 
because it seems so socially acceptable."

In addition to the staycrystalclear.com website, the Crystal Clear 
campaign features wallet-sized resource cards for youth, titled Booze 
& Drugs: The Ultimate Extreme Makeover, and a series of storefront 
posters that take a hard look at meth and crack use, buying alcohol 
for minors, bush parties and marijuana use.

"The site is geared toward youth in our region," said Filgate.  "But 
the information is relevant to anyone, anywhere, who wants to know 
the truth and see the brutal reality."

Visit www.staycrystalclear.com to learn more about Keeping Kids Safe 
and www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/community_programs/crime/safe.htm for 
information about the Safe Street & Safe Schools Program.
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MAP posted-by: Elaine