Pubdate: Mon, 01 Dec 2008 Source: Aurora, The (CN NF) Copyright: 2008 The Aurora Contact: http://www.theaurora.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3219 Author: Pam Morrissey BUZZED FOR DRUGS Hairdresser Raises Money, Awareness Through 12-Hour Cut-A-Thon Deanna Howell wants to cut the drugs in Labrador West. The Labrador City hairdresser hosted a 12-hour cut-a-thon at the Labrador West Youth Centre Nov. 22, as part of a campaign to raise awareness about drug use. "I wanted to make kids, parents and anyone who has had any kind of personal experience with drugs, aware of what's going on in the community," she stated. "I've never done drugs, but I've had someone close to me who has, so I wanted to make people aware about what's going on here." Howell thinks some people have their heads buried in the sand when it comes to alcohol and drug abuse, and said it's important for parents to know kids are using simple items like cough syrup to get high. The cut-a-thon took place from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Nov. 22 and she cut people's hair throughout the day for a minimum donation of $10. Meghan Byrne, another hairdresser, was also at the event and the women raised $1,072 throughout the day. Raelene Fewer, a local musician who struggled with addiction, Captain Cecil Mitchell, the Salvation Army captain who also had personal experiences with drugs, as well as RNC Cst. Bill Fitzgerald and Dena Hobbs, an addictions counsellor, were guest speakers at the cut-a-thon as well, and Howell said their speeches were inspiring to everyone who attended. Booths, complete with information about drugs and alcohol, were also be set up throughout the day, and there was entertainment available from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. for a $3 admission fee. The fee, she said, as well as the proceeds from the cut-a-thon, was donated to the local Mental Health and Addictions office, as well as the RNC, for drug awareness. There was also an opportunity to win prizes at the end of the night - including a plane ticket anywhere PAL flies - and Kenzie Butt, a teenage volunteer who was at the cut-a-thon all day, walked away the winner of the grand prize. Howell explained she got the idea for the cut-a-thon while at a hair show last year, but the real reason she feels so strongly about spreading the drug message is because of the struggle she faced with her own son. "If I had known the signs, my son probably wouldn't have went through what he went through," she explained his fight with drug addiction. "Maybe he had to go through that, I don't know, but I think right now, we, as parents, don't know what's on the go here, so we need to know everything we can to educate ourselves more." She said she also wants to let teens know there is help out there if they are struggling with addiction - her son overcame his drug problem - and if the event saved even one person, it was worth it. Howell admitted she wished more people attended the cut-a-thon - she had a lot of people show up for a hair cut, but not as many stayed to hear the guest speakers - but she's still happy with the end result. She is definitely considering holding the cut-a-thon next year and wants to thank everyone who came out to support the worthwhile event. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin