Pubdate: Tue, 2 Jun 2009
Source: Coaster (CN NF)
Copyright: 2009 Coaster
Contact:  http://www.thecoaster.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3280
Author: Clayton Hunt

PARENTS NEED TO BE PARENTS: CPL. NOEL

Cpl. Ann Noel of the RCMP Drug and Organized Crime Awareness Services
was in Harbour Breton last week to talk to parents and students about
drug and alcohol awareness.

The lecture was a joint project between Central Health's Primary
Health Care (PHC), the Harbour Breton Community Youth Network (CYN)
and the RCMP.

Trina Mercer is the PHC facilitator for the Coast of Bays region. She
said that Cpl. Noel's lecture was important for several reasons.

"PHC focuses on the health needs of the population by promoting health
and well-being and preventing illness. When looking at what determines
our health and how we stay healthy, we need to consider all aspects of
life including that of coping skills and behaviours," said Ms. Mercer.
"There is a correlation between alcohol and drug usage and healthy
living. Youth that abuse alcohol and drugs have higher incidences of
not completing high school; have a higher unemployment rate, increased
risk of mental health issues and dealings with the legal system."

Marie Bungay, the coordinator of the Harbour Breton CYN, said that the
CYN's partnership with groups like PHC and the RCMP is very
significant as it helps the CYN get these presentations in the community.

"Through the CYN, we deal with issues with some teens that relate to
alcohol and drug use. We know that drugs are in our community so we
thought it could possibly help some parents and youth by having Cpl.
Noel give this important address," Ms. Bungay said. "We need to bring
such subjects to the forefront and create awareness of such topics as
drugs and alcohol abuse and, hopefully, by working together as
partners, we can resolve some of the issues and stresses our youth are
faced with today."

Cpl. Noel talked to the audience, which was comprised of parents and
students, about the different types of drugs in Newfoundland and
Labrador communities; why teens get involved with drugs, warning signs
that may mean that students are taking drugs and what parents can do
to help prevent their children from ever starting to use drugs.

"There are drugs in nearly all Newfoundland communities today," Cpl.
Noel said. "Parents need to be aware that drugs have evolved and are
more potent than earlier drugs. Drugs such as ecstasy, for example,
are becoming common in many communities and schools.

"Parents need to keep the lines of communication open with their
children," she added. "They need to let them know what their family
values are and to make children aware of the consequences if they do
take drugs."

Cpl. Noel said that parents need to be open with kids and have
discussions in the home about the dangers of illegal drugs. It is
never too early to talk to children about the topic.

"People just can't send kids out and say, 'That's it - I've done my
part.' They need to be involved in their kids' lives and they need to
keep active with them throughout their teen years," Cpl. Noel said.

"Parents need to be parents, to set the example by not being involved
with drugs themselves and by promoting strong family values and
morals. Parents should not be afraid to draw the line in the sand and
to say that's it - if you can't handle that then let's talk about it."

Cpl. Noel talked about the issue of some parents actually buying beer
for their teens to drink at home as they believe they are going to be
drinking it anyway.

"The law states that a person has to be 19 to consume alcohol. Parents
who allow their children to drink at home 'because they are going to
do it anyway' could be causing much more harm than good," Cpl. Noel
said. "A parent who does this is upping the ante and they are raising
the bar a little higher as the teen is going to look for something
other than beer to get high on eventually. Kids need rules and
regulations - parents should not be afraid to be parents."

The following are some findings of the 2007 Newfoundland and Labrador
Student Drug Use Survey that was conducted within randomly selected
schools (Grade 7 to Level III) asking questions dealing with
experiences with substance use, gambling and associated risk
behaviours. The report was based on the 3,848 students that responded
(82 per cent response rate).

Findings

Alcohol, cannabis and tobacco remain the most commonly used substances
by NL students

In 2007, 5.3 per cent reported using cocaine at least once in the
year, in 2003, 3.7 per cent.

In 2007, 7.2 per cent reported using ecstasy at least once in the
year. It was 2.3 per cent in 2003, which was the largest increase.

27.7 per cent reported they had consumed alcohol to the point of
drunkenness on at least one occasion in the past 30 days.

Average age of first time use of cannabis was 13.5
years

16.3 per cent of licensed drivers in Grade 10 and 12 reported driving
a vehicle within an hour of drinking alcohol

29.5 per cent of licensed drivers in Grade 10 and 12 reported driving
a vehicle within an hour of using cannabis

Of students who had sex during the year, 35.3 per cent reported that
at least on one occasion they had unplanned sex after using alcohol or
other drugs. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake