In Depth
A dose of reality
CBC public forum at
Three Oaks High School
Last Updated Nov. 22, 2007
CBC News
From Nov. 20, 2007:
Highlights from CBC's public forum on teenage drug use on Prince Edward Island. (runs 5:13)
About 200 people attended a CBC public forum on teenage drug use on Prince Edward Island at Three Oaks High School in Summerside on Nov. 20, 2007.
Talk of a new treatment centre for dealing with addiction dominated much of the conversation.
The P.E.I. government has committed to creating a new residential drug treatment program over the next couple of years. It would offer 24-hour, seven-day-a-week programs for young addicts. Currently youth have to go out-of-province for addictions treatment.
Edith Townshend called for involuntary treatment for addicted youth.From Nov. 20, 2007:
Melanie Gallant and Edith Townsend talk with panel member Hailey Beer about how to address teenage drug use. (runs 6:24)Edith Townshend, who has a 19-year-old son who is addicted to drugs, stood to say that any facility needs to offer forced or involuntary admission. Her son has been hooked for five years, and needs to be forced into help.
"They won't go in willingly. There's no way," said Townshend.
"When they're on drugs or drinking, they don't have a mind. You know, they're not thinking right."
Three provinces currently offer involuntary admission, which on a judge's order can force a young person into a facility for 72 hours. The hope is that's enough time to allow a young person to be sober enough to make the decision to enter long-term drug rehabilitation.
Health Minister Doug Currie wouldn't commit to forcing youth into treatment.Health Minister Doug Currie, who was on the panel for the forum, said the province isn't ready to commit to involuntary admissions.
"Voluntary care, I think we're looking around 30 days, somewhere around there," said Currie.
"I don't have all the data on that because we're looking at it right now. We need legislation and we're working that through the process."
Peer pressure gets youth started
Katherine FletcherFrom Nov. 20, 2007:
Katherine Fletcher and Dr. Ed Pineau on prescription drug abuse. (runs 5:26)Preventing youth from starting on drugs in the first place was also discussed, and in particular how peer pressure works.
"Sometimes it's probably a bullying issue," said Megan Lee, a young person who spoke from the audience.
Addictions counsellor Sean Morrison said while peer pressure often appears to be an external issue, it is as much about the person being pressured as those applying the pressure.
Hailey Beer"Peer pressure sometimes is as simple as what that child creates in their own mind when somebody goes, 'Here, do you want some.' The reality is how do they feel about themselves at that moment when it's being offered," said Morrison.
Hailey Beer, a recovering addict who sat on the panel, also joined into the peer pressure discussion, confirming Morrison's opinion. She said doing drugs was a way of feeling better about herself.
"It was a big deception to me," she said.
"I believed to do drugs, and be a part of that crowd, was something cool, something to be desired."
Panelists: Sgt. Jamie George - East Prince RCMP
Sean Morrison - Addictions counsellor
Trish Cheverie - Legal aid lawyer, Summerside
Doug Currie - Minister of Health
Cathy DesRoches - Parents group leader
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[an error occurred while processing this directive]RELATED
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- Nov. 20, 2007: New addictions centre dominates forum discussion
- Oct. 10, 2007: P.E.I. welcomes federal addiction help
- July 15, 2007: Trafficker sentenced to 6½ years
- July 5, 2007: 6 arrested in drug bust on P.E.I.
External Links
- Canadian Centre On Substance AbuseStudent/Adolescent alcohol & drug use statistics
- Government of P.E.I.Adolescent Addictions Program
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