Survival Tips for Parents of Adolescents #2

29 August 2011

Survival Tips for Parents of Adolescents #2; Alcohol, Cannabis, P and Other Drugs

The symptoms and dangers of methamphetamine, cannabis and alcohol use among teens will be the subject of a hard-hitting community presentation at Wakatipu High School on Thursday, September 8.

Dale Kirk, of leading drug education company MethCon Group, said New Zealand has the highest addiction rate per capita to methamphetamine - often known as P or Ice - in the world.

He said the key to reducing harm to society from drugs such as P is providing people, especially young people, with accurate information about drugs "so that they naturally choose not to use. Take away demand, and supply will reduce accordingly."

"For too long we as a society have relied solely on initiatives focusing on the supply of drugs using police, customs and punitive legislation," the former detective said.

Methamphetamine destroys the organic tissue in the brain responsible for pleasure, leaving users unable to experience anything close to normal life pleasure without using the drug.

Psychological addiction causes delusions, paranoia, psychosis and extreme depression, often leading to irrational, violent and aggressive behaviour on top of the multitude of extreme physical side-effects from its intensely toxic nature.

Mr Kirk will speak to high school students during the day, but WHS Parent Teacher Association chair Alyssandra Skerrett said the PTA also believed parents should hear his message. "So it has become the second in our 'Survival Tips for Parents of Adolescents' series."

The presentation, open to parents of all adolescents in Wakatipu, will be held in the WHS drama room, 7-9pm. Entry is $5, including a cup of tea and scone.

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