Pubdate: Thu, 22 Feb 2007
Source: North Island Gazette (CN BC)
Copyright: 2007 North Island Gazette
Contact:  http://www.northislandgazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2783
Author: Emma MacMain

DRUG FORUM COMING TO ALICE

PORT ALICE - Ecstasy and crystal meth will be the focus of a public 
forum Port Alice RCMP are holding Mar. 7 at the community centre.

Const. Gus Papagiannis, a well-known guest speaker on the subject, 
has been invited by Constable Michelle Hallam and Cpl. Kevin Murray

"There's a drug problem in Port Alice, as everywhere else," said 
Hallam. "There are Port Alice residents suffering from addictions.

Everybody's addictions are different, says Hallam. For some, alcohol 
could be the worst drug, for others it's smoking."

Hallam encouraged parents to contact her with any concerns they may 
have. "Packages found in your kid's room, that you think contained 
candy, could be remnants from drugs," she said.

Hallam says drugs are even found in water balloons which have been 
swallowed by drug dealers in order to transport up Island without being caught.

"If you found this in your kid's room, and you're not sure what it 
is, bring it to me so I can test it," said Hallam. "Eighty-five 
percent of ecstasy contains meth, which you can become addicted to 
after using it once. Kids think they're doing ecstasy, but they're doing meth.

Another concern Hallam brought up was internet safety. "Port Alice 
kids are posting themselves on sites doing drugs and other criminal 
acts," says Hallam. "There are men looking at that and saying "OOH!" 
to Port Alice.

"We need to come together as a community," Hallam concluded. "We need 
to support our children to make the right decisions."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom