TEEN CRACK REPORT NEEDS STUDY

Anecdotal evidence that teen crack cocaine use is escalating should
prompt a scientific study before school officials dismiss the
findings, say addictions workers.

Psychologists contacted yesterday said more teens are reporting use
of crack cocaine.

The psychologists were responding to claims by University of Alberta
professor Dr. Louis Pagliaro that crack is readily available to
Edmonton schoolkids.

Chartered psychologist Dr. Paul Sussman said his clients have told
him the same thing.

"All (Pagliaro) was saying was that it's there.

"When I have a client that comes in and says they scored crack
cocaine at an Edmonton public school-yard, if I believe that client,
then I know that crack cocaine is available at at least one Edmonton
school-yard, and I know that with scientific precision."

But Associate Health and Wellness Minister Gene Zwozdesky said he's
skeptical about widespread use.

"I'd be receptive to looking at what type of research could be done
at some point in the near future to shed more light."

Edmonton school officials who consulted with principals, police and
AADAC said Pagliaro's claims were overblown.

The university is investigating Pagliaro to determine if his
assertions are backed up by his research.

Edmonton Public Schools spokesman Victor Tanti said he won't argue
about Pagliaro's findings.

"We do not support the allegations that Dr. Pagliaro has made, and he
has not provided us with any information."

But Pagliaro said that doesn't mean everything's fine.

"When they say there isn't a problem, they don't show me their
research data," he noted.

Chartered psychologist Susan Peacock said yesterday she deals with
teens who say crack is accessible.

Counselling psychologist Gary J. Meiers said that three years ago,
teens in his clinic rarely said they'd tried crack.

"So, maybe one out of 100 kids would say yes. Now, I would say about
10 out of 100 would tell me yes," he said.

"I guess somebody needs to put up money to do some research."