Pubdate: Wed, 05 Mar 2008
Source: Sooke News Mirror (CN BC)
Copyright: 2008 Sooke News Mirror
Contact:  http://www.sookenewsmirror.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2142
Author: Jim Sinclair
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?241 (Methamphetamine - Canada)

TRANSFORMATION PARENTS NEEDED IN FIGHT AGAINST DRUGS

Drugs are an enduring threat that gets more ominous with the passage 
of time. Newer, cheaper, more potent and deadly than ever, illicit 
drugs can hook a user, literally, from the very first taste.

Marilyn Erickson, a recovered substance user, is all-too-familiar 
with the grip of drug addiction. Having managed to break free of her 
dependency she remains an outspoken crusader against the abuse of 
drugs, especially meth.

Erickson will speak during a Crystal Meth Workshop to be held on 
March 17. The event is being organized and hosted by the Sooke Family 
Resource Society and will run from 6 to 8 p.m. at 105-2145 Townsend Rd.

Erickson's bio indicates she is a co-founder and recent executive of 
Crystal Meth BC and its successful community meth task force. She 
focuses on helping others understand, cope with, and recover from the 
abuse of stimulants.

The bio describes how she speaks with passion and compassion about 
the young lives she sees touched by meth, the neurology of the drug 
and the hope for successful outcomes in treatment. Erickson has 
recently been honoured as the Community Leader of the Year in Victoria.

Parents need to know as much as they can in order to deal with the 
threat meth poses to their children. They are invited to the workshop 
called "Crystal Meth - Empowering Our Children." A strong knowledge 
base and a practical approach to building resiliency in young 
children will give parents preventative strategies to help young ones 
resist the lure of substance abuse in the adolescent years.

Marilyn Erickson was in Sooke last Friday and spoke with the Sooke 
News Mirror in advance of the March 17 workshop. She said the 
influence of drugs is everywhere, daytime transit use, for example. 
"I rode the bus out here," she said. "A group of kids got on after 
school. It's the same wherever I go, whatever city I'm in. Somethings 
don't change... kid's experiment. I guess the difference now is that 
they're open about it.

"'You're partying this weekend, who are you partying with... what are 
you going to do?' 'I'm going to try E (ecstasy) this weekend' it's 
one of the top drugs kids are using now. Crack cocaine is back in schools."

Personal issues helped to set the stage for Erickson's own 
introduction to drugs, something she had never been involved with 
until she was 40 years old. The cycle would last until about seven 
years ago when she managed to shed the yoke of dependancy.

Her points are succinct, her story is gripping, and her presentation 
is a must for anyone even remotely affected by drugs and/or those who 
may be using them. Above all... parents and other family members of 
kids facing the temptation to give drugs a try.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom