33 - Wednesday, March 30, f9KS -

Antacid misuse proves dangerous

SO YOU'VE overdone it at a party or the family dinner

table, Okay,

sometimes we just

can’t help ourselves,

especially when we're having a good time.

Deciding how to relieve that
heartburn oor acid indigestion
wort be easy because you face a
choice of more than 8,000. dif-
ferent antacid preparations on the
market including tablets, powders,
gels, liquids and guns.

These medications are not to be
taken thoughtlessly because the
various forms and ingredients act

By BILL MCCONNACHTE

Contributing writer

in different ways for cach person's
body chemistry.

Your first step should be to con-
sult your pharmacist. He or she
will want to know some details
about the problem and vour medi-

cal history.

Wf a non-prescription remedy is
recommended, your pharmacist
will probably warn you against us-
ing it for toa long of too often. If
problems persist, consult’ your
doctor.

All antacids have inevitable long
or short term side effects. They
ay cause constipation or diar-
thea; or a toxic buiidup of an in-
gredient. Regular use of antacids is
reserved only for the relief of ulcer
pain,

However, the product must be
prescribed by a professional who is
fully aware af the patient's pro-
blem and medical history.

Some antacids should not be us-
ed by people on iow-sodium diets,
others interfere with the action of
such drugs as tetracycline, or ag-
gravate existing problems of, for
example, faulty kidneys. Only your
pharmacist or doctor can safely
maich the treatment to the user.

Bil hicConnachic is a  Van-
couver pharmacist.

ert MH hin
‘

ary

North Share News

{ Soa
ining to.

er Georgia Strait chinook stocks.
cial fishermen have averaged

e remainder a¥e caught in various
sheries. ;

the Gulf chinook to return to
er.abundance, it is imperative .
anumibers caught be reduced this
20%, minimum. We must act

‘ly now, and all groups of fisher-
ist cooperate - or rebuilding will
)ssible. With conservation now,
all share the long-term benefits.

Introducing a strict program,
’ fair for all concerned, to pre-
serve this precious resource.
The Department's tough, fair new
program combines intensive conserva-
tion and enhancement methods. It will
affect all groups who catch chinook:
sport and commercial fishermen as
well as native fishermen.
Conservation tagging: Fishermen
will be required to buy special conserva-
tion tags to fasten to all chinook caught

Bethy elteind commer

in commercial, native and sport fisheries.
It will be an offense to be in possession
of untagged chinook, and maximum pen-
alties will be sought for violators. The
tags will raise awareness of the necess-
ity for conservation, as well as providing
vital catch information for Department
scientists. Sold for $1 each, the tags will
also generate revenue to help support

ed

Fisheries Péches

and Oceans

et Océans

the intense enhancement program.
Reduced sport fishing limits; Sport
fishermen in Georgia Strait will be per-
mitted to catch a maximum eight chinook
in 1988. (Outside the Strait, the annual

— limit will remain at 30.)

Further, the Department is consulting
with the sport fishing community on
other measures required to protect stocks,
such as restricting devices and techniques
that catch chinook with such precision
that the “sport” is diminished.

Increased closures; The areas
and spans of time of spot closures will
be extended to protect chinook
in the lower Strait returning to home
spawning grounds.

Commercial and Native fisheries
restrictions; Both of these sectors will
share in the conservation program. Catch
cutbacks are being determined in
consultation with commercial and native
fisheries representatives.

Together we can
restore the Gulf chinook
by 1998.

These special enhancement initiatives
are aimed at increasing stocks of Strait
of Georgia chinook by approximately
75,000 to 175,000 adult fish. The increase
will be evident by 1990, and will reach
the full level by 1995.

With the cooperation of ail groups of
fishermen, in just a few years the con-
servation and enhancement program will
result in many more chinook for every-
one to catch. —

For complete details on this special
program to save the Gulf chinook, write
to: Gulf chinook, Fisheries and Oceans
Canada, 400-555 West Hastings Street,
Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 5G3.

Or call toll free 1-800-663-9333. In
Vancouver call 666-2268.

Canada