EXPERT WARNS OF DANGER Parents get the dope On teenage drug abuse TEENAGERS often try to change how they feel, and alcohol or drugs seem to meet those needs — but not in the long run. This was the warning given by Art Steinmann, director of the Alcohol-Drug Education Service. during a parent meeting at Hillside Secondary School Wednesday. ‘The earlier the age of onset in which a child uses alcohol, the higher the chances are for drug use and dependency,’’ Steinmann said. He added that the average age in Canada for first time alcohol use is 12 years. DIRECTOR OF the Alcohol - Drug Education Service Art Steinmann...abuser is manipulative and loves to blame others.... Alcohol is a great dis-inhibitor and is related to 55 per cent of home violence, 60 per cent of child abuse and 50 per cent of road ac- cidents, he said. After cancer and heart disease, alcohol-related diseases are the main source of deaths. Boredom, curiosity, peer pressure, und poor self-concept are some of the reasons @ teenager may desire drugs. ‘*The results are fast and the change is powerful,”’ Steinmann said. He mentioned that today’s _ Society is saturated with pro-use messages, but that children can be taught to make decisions and monitor use. Colin Mangham, co-director of the same service, said children with high self-esteem and a strong sense of personal value are at lower risk. ‘““When all is said and done, the individual made the choice and personality plays an important role.” Mangham warned parents that the true abuser is manipulative, and loves to blame others, but that parents should not feel guilty. He advises parents to be aware and not to be afraid of confronta- tion. He said parents should watch for sudden changes, such as changed friends, lost interest in school, personality shifts and wide mood swings without provocation. He said parents should also watch out for paraphernalia in the child’s room and check if liquor is disappearing from their own liquor cabinet. He warned parents that the user may use several excuses NEWS photo Nell Lucente GRADE 6 Westview Elementary School student Stephanie Swann shows how pulp is turned into paper at Friday's science fair at Capilano Mali, Approximately 36 science projects were featured at the mail. like, “U's not mine, | keep it for a frend.” Mangham said that by the time the child has his own supply, he has been a user for an average of two years. Parents are responsible for their child and other minors in their house. When giving a party parents should supervise and set up ground rules prior to the party, according to a tip sheet provided by the Alcohol-Drug Education Service. Such rules could include no smoking, drugs or alcohol, no uninvited guests or gate crashers and lights should be left on. When a child attends a party. a parent should bring the child and introduce himself to the hostess. Parents should make it easy for a child to leave a party, and they should stay awake to greet the child when he returns home. If a child returns home intox- icated, parents are warned to avoid confrontation until the child is sober. Steinmann advises to con- front the child and to teil him, “When you are ready to talk about it, come and see me.” He said it is important to talk when the emo- tions are more settled, and to set consequences if it happens again. To promote a good self-concept, Mangham advised parents to give their youngsters responsibility, to build confidence, and to show love and affection. He stressed that self-confidence is learned, and that it is a tool in decision making. ‘‘There is no guarantee, but we don’t need to feel helpless,’ Mangham conclud- ed. 3 - Sunday, March 8, $987 - North Shore News NEWS photo Stuart Davis CAPTAIN BRUCE Ramsay, of the North Vancouver District Fire Department, holds a ‘‘man down” alarm that will ent sounds to aid firefighters locate one of their men should he be hurt while fighting a fire. Firefighters tested this new equipment, and did some practice training fighting house fires, this week on MeNaugthou Crescent. Police dog stays on force AN RCMP dog that bit an inno- cent North Vancouver man Jan. 3 will not get his walking papers. An internal police investigation wy launches) anniversary celebrations WEST VANCOUVER launches its 75th birthday celebra- tion Sunday, March 15, the anniversary of its incorpora- tion. The formal granting of an of- ficial coat-of-arms will be the first of many special events that should eventually involve every segment of the community. Lieutenant-Governor Robert G. Rogers will receive the coat-of- arms from Dr. Conrad Swan, York Herald of Arms, and will formally present it to Mayor Don Lanskail for the municipality. The coat-of-arms reflects the British heritage of West Vancouver and symbolizes the careful plann- ing and organization behind the development of one of Canada’s most attractive communities. A special stylized ‘‘75"’ logo has been developed for the anniver- sary, and will be featured in a series of colorful street banners which will line Marine Drive throughout the year. The banners depict themes that are symbolic of the visual pleasures enjoyed in West Vancouver. They include the ocean, the mountains, evergreens, salmon, flowers, and the bridge. Included in this year of festivities in West Vancouver will be a special Community Day Bir- thday Party, performing arts pro- grams and sporting activities. The organizing committee has been given permission from coun- cil 109 place an information centre at the foot of I4th Street. “It would be a focal point for anniversary activities,’’ said com- mittee chairman Jim McCarthy. _The committee has been offered the free loan of a small cedar structure to be used as the centre. Transportation of the _ building would also be at no cost to the municipality. Schedules of events, displays and historic pictures of West Van- couver would be situate! at the in- formation facility. The building would also serve as a centre for fund-raising activities, should the anniversary legacy project (the gift of a performing arts Sage at Ambleside Beach, story page 5) be Deeg ca mgt gptee 8 4 on 2 a into the incident concluded recent- ly that Cue, a seven-year-old Ger- man shepherd, is not likely to repeat the mistake. A police spokesman also said the dog handler was not at fault when Cue unexpectedly bit John Luca. The 21-year-old North Van- couver man was Dit on_ his way home with a friend from the store, where he went to get a package of cigarettes around 3:30 a.m. Police were in the area searching for two suspects, who had been heard knocking on doors. Luca has started legal action, and his lawyer has spoken with North Vancouver RCMP about the incident. Luca was treated at Lions Gate Hospital for a hite on his right leg after the incident. Weather: Sunday through Monday, mostly claudy with showers. Tuesday, periods of rain. Highs near 10°C. 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