RCMP PRESENTATION AT THE LEDUC RURAL CRIME WATCH ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING

So why do kids take drugs or join gangs? These are questions that
Sgt. Lorne H. Adamitz from the "K" Division, Drugs and Organized
Crime Awareness Services of the RCMP attempted to answer as he shared
an excellent presentation with the Leduc Rural Crime Watch Association.

Slides were shown that explained why insurance companies use age 25
as the magic number for insurance rates. While the emotional center
of the brain really takes off in the teen years, the frontal lobe
which gives us reasoning and good judgment is the last area to
develop and is not completely developed until age 24! This explains
why a teenager is emotionally driven. In addition, kids are subjected
to a multiple set of beliefs/opinions from parents, relatives,
friends, media, games, etc. and many of these beliefs may be
inaccurate.this can lead to frustration and rebelliousness as they
try to determine who or what is right Often this frustration leads to
problems at home as the child tells the parent to stop treating me
like a kid and the parent tells the child to stop acting like a kid
if they want to be treated as a mature individual. Bring into the
picture a sympathetic peer who says "they" don't understand .here
take a (drug).

Sgt. Adamitz says that educating parents to use principal-based
negotiation with teens rather than positional-based negotiation could
help. Position-based negotiation is when both parties entrench their
position and there is little or no give. In principle-based
negotiation each tries to understand another's perspective with
dignity and respect. Both parties must state any fears or concerns
and then address those concerns.

Who do kids join gangs? Every person has a need to belong, feel that
they have control over their own life, be able to make money and feel
protected. When these needs aren't met by the family or social
support elsewhere, kids turn to others who satisfy those needs. Also
ethnic groups find identify and acceptance in a gang, along with
companionship and peer respect and perceived protection. Kids often
view gangs just as a club - no big deal. We are now seeing
second-generation gang members.

Sgt. Adamitz discussed the various types of drugs and what they do to
the body. He also noted that the way drugs enter the body has a
significant affect: ingesting, snorting, injecting and smoking. Of
these, smoking drugs are preferred because they reach the heart and
brain within 2-5 seconds. Drugs that enter the body very fast create
the "rush" that users talk about, because the fast entry literally
shocks the brain.

The different types of drugs are:

1. Stimulants, or "uppers" increase heart rate, blood pressure, body
temperature, enlarges the pupils and increases respiration. It boosts
energy, makes one anxious, restless, aggressive. These drugs are
found in caffeine, nicotine, energy drinks, amphetamines and khat.
Using caffeine as an example he noted that coke has about 35
milligrams of caffeine, regular coffee has 50 milligrams, espresso
coffee has 80 and an energy drink has anywhere from 150 - 500
milligrams of caffeine.

2. Depressants or "downers" lower the heart rate, slow respiration,
muscle control, reduce pain and slow metabolism so you have poor
muscle control, slurred speech, droopy eyes, pin-size pupils.
Depressant examples are alcohol, heroin, morphine. GHB, codeine. Sgt.
Adamitz also noted that alcohol greatly influences the effect of other drugs.

3. Hallucinogens (Psychedelics) or "all-arounds" alter a user's
perception. It manipulates the senses. Our senses are what keeps us
safe. If they are greatly impaired you have lost that safety net.
Hallucinogens cause illusions, delusions and hallucinations. Drug
examples are mushrooms, marihuana, ketamine, LSD or ecstasy. An
ecstasy high can last from 6-24 hours and disrupts normal serotonin
function. Repeated exposure leads to loss of memory or even brain damage.

A special note on marihuana.

It is much stronger now than it was in the 1960's to 80's. THC levels
have changed from 2-3% to 10-30%. Even a small amount of THC changes
the way your brain cells work. It can also stay in your body for up
to 30 days or longer, continuing to do damage. It affects your
ability to learn and remember things and alters your motivation. It
is also sprayed with insecticides to keep down the molds, so you are
ingesting those chemicals as well when you smoke it.

It is important to know that withdrawal of any of these types of
drugs creates an exact opposite of what the drug does.

Warning signs that parents can look for are:

- - Burned fingers

- - Changes in friends

- - Negative changes in school work (skipping or lower grades)

- - Increased secrecy

- - Evasive behavior or lying

- - Refusal or anger when asked to talk about drugs or alcohol use
(which indicates that you have hit a nerve)

- - New found bravery or nickname

- - Fear of police

- - Irregular hours

- - Change in clothing choices

- - Increase in borrowing money or possession of an excess of money

- - Sudden loss of interest in family activities

- - Poor physical appearance

- - Frequent cough/runny nose/rash/bruises

- - Fatigue, loss of appetite

- - Alcohol or drug posters

- - Clothing that glorifies drugs

- - Magazines such as "High Times"

- - Possesson of a fake I.D.

- - Incense or air freshener to mask smells

- - Drug-related paraphernalia (pipes, baggies, scales)

If you see any of these signs, don't wait - speak to the child
immediately - don't dismiss the change. Also be aware that the
younger a child is when they start using drugs and the greater
quantity they take, this affects addiction greatly. Also if one
member of a family has an addiction, this increases the addiction
risk for the rest of the family members.

A video clips was shown as to how cocaine was made - quite an eye
opener. In addition to the coca leaves, various other substances such
as cement, caustic soda, ammonia, gasoline, quick lime, sulfuric acid
were added to the mixture, was then filtered with a dirty cloth and
more ammonia added. Cocaine affects dopamine production in the body.
It erodes tooth enamel and even those who beat this addiction often
end up taking anti-depressants for the rest of their life.

Sgt. Adamitz used two quotes to emphasize why it can be easy for
gangs to recruit some young people: "People without hope are easy to
control" and "When you forget your dreams, emptiness grows stronger!"
So as a community he urged us to come together as a group, encircle
our young, get to know your our neighbours, rebuild community - we
all have to get involved. Kids need boundaries and expectations to
gauge how they are doing. It truly does take a Village to raise a child.