Adolescent Drug Abuse In Halton In recent months there have been several media stories relating directly and indirectly to our youth and their use of drugs. As a result of these stories and the parents' need for information, Parent Watch hosted a drug presentation on December 18, 1996. There were approximately 120 people in attendance. Officer Michalski of the Halton Regional Police conducted a drug awareness presentation that was followed by a student panel discussion. At the end of the presentation we made a commitment to hold a follow-up meeting, which was held on January 15, 1997. The purpose of the meeting was to address some of the issues raised and facilitate community discussion. The exercise was most informative and to some degree therapeutic for those of us struggling to address the issues of drug abuse. We would ask that readers of this report be aware that although some of the recommendations may already be in place, unattainable or unrealistic, it is the process of community involvement that is important. In addition, parent Watch and its members would hope that they are not perceived to be pontificating, but rather participating.

1. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR
RESPONDING TO HALTON
YOUTH DRUG ABUSE
Prepared by:
Ray Pidzamecky M.S.W. & Penny Smith M.S.W. CSW
(With input from Parents and Concerned Citizens who attended the
Parent Watchmeeting on January 15, 1997.)
E-mail: raypidzamecky@gmail.com
PARENT WATCH ®
Est. May 1993
January 23, 1997
(Parent Watchis a recipient of a Partners Against Crime
community crime prevention grant from the Ontario Provincial Government in
March 1998 & 1999)

2. Table of Contents
Parent Watch Mandate………………………………………………………...……..3
Introduction………………………………………………………………………………3
Adolescent Drug Abuse in Halton………………………………………………………4
Recommendations………………………………………………………………………..5
1. Schools………………………………………………………………………4
2. Parents………………………………………………………………………6
3. Police………………………………………………………………………...6
4. Town………………………………………………………………………....7
5. Agencies…………………………………………………………………......7
6. Law………………………………………………………………………......8
7. Business & Institutions……………………………………………………..9
Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………...9
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS Of USE?………………………...…………………….11

3. Parent Watch mandate is to help parents
empower themselves to:
• Monitor their children and the negative influences upon them.
• Identify and implement solutions to common problems.
• Take action in the best interests of their children and their
families.
Introduction
Parent Watch was created to respond to parents who are committed to and concerned
about the welfare of their children. During the last four years we have attempted to
assist and empower parents by providing a forum to share technical expertise, whether
it is parental or professional in origin. Empowerment in part, comes from the lived and
working experiences of others. In addition to this, active participation by parents
alleviates their feelings of helplessness, isolation and victimization. As a member of
Parent Watch, an individual is clearly participating in an action of common good. The
Parent Watch forum has created and helps to sustain a synergy that we believe is
unique in our community. We believe our greatest accomplishment is our success in
creating that synergy.
Parent Watch operates from very specific points of view. These include the following:
It is a myth that all parents, all the time, are to blame for their particular child’s
problems, yet we as professionals, in some cases, find ourselves supporting this myth
implicitly and/or explicitly. Research clearly refutes this myth. If we must lay blame,we
should also be looking at:
Advertising
Declining Community Services
Inadequate and Insufficient Legislation
Economic Stresses
Environmental Pollution
Mental Health Issues
Poverty

4. Declining School Resources: e.g. Social Workers, Child Care Workers,
Psycho-Educational Consultants, Speech / Language Consultants
Insufficient Proactive Servicing/Intervention/Prevention
Agency Territoriality and Duplication
2. It is an oversimplification to say a child's problems result from working parents.
3. As parents, citizens and professionals we find ourselves working in isolation which
works against community synergy.
4. Community resources cannot take the place of parents. Community resources should in
most cases, support families, not only the individual child.
5. There appears to be a lack of direct and timely service for parents in crisis.
6. We firmly believe that parents have been disempowered and that children are making
major decisions and assuming adult responsibilities at a younger age. In some
instances parents feel powerless while children acquire more power, control, authority
and rights.
Adolescent Drug Abuse In Halton
In recent months there have been several media stories relating directly and indirectly to
our youth and their use of drugs. As a result of these stories and the parents' need for
information, Parent Watch hosted a drug presentation on December 18, 1996. There
were approximately 120 people in attendance. Officer Michalski of the Halton Regional
Police conducted a drug awareness presentation that was followed by a student panel
discussion. At the end of the presentation we made a commitment to hold a follow-up
meeting, which was held on January 15, 1997.
The purpose of the meeting was to address some of the issues raised and facilitate
community discussion. The exercise was most informative and to some degree therapeutic
for those of us struggling to address the issues of drug abuse.
We would ask that readers of this report be aware that although some of the
recommendations may already be in place, unattainable or unrealistic, it is the process of
community involvement that is important. In addition, parent Watch and its members
would hope that they are not perceived to be pontificating, but rather participating.
Recommendations
1. Schools

5. • Principals should request "smoke police" enforce law
• zero tolerance to drugs
• community needs to give a clear mandate that empowers schools to take action
• conduct locker inspections/searches
• co-operate with and utilize police resources
• educate parents through regular school communication, for example, include insert
with reports/correspondence to parents about drugs
• start targeting younger ages, e.g. 10 years
• focus on children's' self-esteem
• be aware of "off the wall" behaviour
• offer healthy activities
• co-ordinate intramural teams for schools, enabling participation at varying levels of
skill; intramural teams needed in secondary schools
• shorten lunch period for younger students
• have clear rules and consequences
• enforce codes of behaviour
• our Boards of Education can learn from existing boards that have specific drug
intervention models/policies in place
• empower teachers to tell parents of suspected drug abuse, just as they are empowered
to report suspected child abuse
• 'target harden' all school personnel by making participation in a drug presentation
mandatory (Halton Regional Police Service)
• parents, teachers, social workers, probation officers, judges, crown attorneys,
psychologists and psychiatrists must decide as a group how they feel about "soft
drugs" such as marijuana and hash and take a consistent stand
• admit that drugs are an issue
• increase support services for students within schools
• each geographical area should have a designated school open for youth activities on
Friday/Saturday evenings
• liaise with churches
• all schools should participate in a Halton wide, Halton developed and owned drug
survey
2. Parents
• parent networking
• homes are sanctuaries-give clear messages that drug use is not acceptable
• allowance-do not give allowance unless it is warranted
• be aware of peers and their parents as much as possible
• encourage open conversation with children
• communicate with peer's parents

6. • be non-judgmental whenever possible
• children could offer consequences for their behaviour when appropriate and give vent
to their feelings
• be a good role model
• be aware of your child's limitations-do not put them in irresistible situations e.g.
leaving them alone with alcohol/drugs being readily accessible
• consider making your home alcohol free
• don't be afraid to utilize police resources
• become informed/knowledgeable
• don't be afraid to search your child's room/clothes-your right to ensure your child's
safety outweighs their right to privacy
• parents should participate in a drug awareness seminar
• parents need to learn about over the counter drugs
3. Police
• police cooperation and support is essential for parents dealing with children's
substance abuse
• don't tell parents that the Young Offenders Act only gives "slaps on the wrist" and
therefore recommend no criminal charges-parents are asking for support in their desire
to take control
• change the deterrent, enforce the consequences
• consistent response to youth drug use
• follow through and make kids accountable
• don't say you don't have the resources and therefore are only interested in the
suppliers-the kids already know that
• enforce probation orders
• are your hands really tied?-some parents perceive the buck is being passed
• increase community policing resources: School Liaison Officers, Drug Squad
• utilize resources like police dogs within schools-don't initiate a canine program for the
sake of creating public relations, use like you use the R.I.D.E. Program, charge to
reduce/deter
• remove restrictions, make it easier to search and charge
• develop mediation service
• establish youth bureau dedicated to youth services
4. Town
• facilitate community activities and initiatives for youth recreation
• community dances
• coffee houses

7. • teen drop-in-centres
• remove some of the charges for recreation-participation is restricted to those who can
afford fees-not universal
• curfew for adolescents-impose and enforce
• hire street workers to reach out to were some of the youth in crisis are
5. Agencies
• collect and collate drug use data from Phase 1, Phase 2 Probation and other agencies
serving youth
• waiting lists for services are too long
• lack of safe havens for youth within their immediate communities e.g. Group homes,
youth hostels, drug rehabilitation centres, residential treatment beds
• more support groups
• use media effectively, positive messages for youth
• peer mentoring, peer mediation
• focus on younger children ages 7 years and up
• need probation officers to enforce orders more-not to be social workers
• probation officers should ask parents what they need via probation order to support
them in parenting their youth
• encourage parents to make recommendations to the judge
• enforce truancy violations-when students aren't in school what are they doing and with
whom
• hospitals should develop a recording system that reflects gender, age and drug use
when drug abuse is the primary or secondary reason for service (admission or
emergency treatment)
• coordinate agency based storefront for youth services along the lines of the Dufferin
Mall, Square One and Jackson Square Projects
• investigate the possibility of tri-ministry initiative e.g. Breakaway/George Hull Drug
Program in Etobicoke with a view to establishing a similar program in Halton
(Ministries of Education, Health & Social Services)
• a new Provincial Ministry with responsibility for all Youth issues
6. Law
• no fines for drug possession, rather community service and probation order with at
least the following conditions: 1. curfew
2. assessment through drug counselling service
3. counselling
4. reporting to probation officer
• curfews
• parental input at court regarding probation conditions

8. • have someone to support and work with parents at court-youth has a lawyer
• C.A.S. to hold parents accountable when parents contribute to delinquency e.g.
Supply drugs, alcohol) and condone it
• charge parents who provide drugs
• more referrals from court to programs not fines
• assist/promote/clarify the Halton Police Residence Registry
• court should ask parents what they need to control their child
• start looking at more meaningful consequences
• revise/change the Young Offenders Act
• give families more rights rather than the individual (child)
• in some cases, give youth a choice e.g. Charge or rehabilitation, detoxification,
assessment, divertment
• give education system teeth
• look at laws for over the counter drugs
• enforce/prosecute cigarette violations eg. increase fines
• inservice judges around the issues of substance abuse
• more manpower and dollars to enforcement and treatment
• Halton is underfunded and under serviced
• need statistics from law that include warnings/diversions/cautions
• police statistics do not reflect current youth drug situation
• if charged with a drug/alcohol offence, lose privilege to drive when youth comes
of legal age for a period of time
• give principals power to charge, support to call in the police and have charges
laid and or initiate participation in a divertment program
• youth drug statistics need to be published at least quarterly and shared with
parents
7. Business & Institutions
• approach the town about local by-laws regarding smoking under 19
• use under-cover youth to expose store owners in violation
• stiffer penalties required for selling to minors
• allow parents to charge businesses and have their licenses revoked
• encourage business (B.I.A.: Business Improvement Association) to be on committees,
support drug awareness programs
• raise the price of cigarettes
• encourage business to support recreational facilities for youth (financially or
otherwise)
• Health Protection Unit-how many 'smoke police' is there, what are the statistics for
charges in Halton?

9. • dialogue with representatives from the L.C.B.O., Brewers Retail, Pharmacies,
Convenience Stores etc.
• ensure proper labelling of acetaminophen products-overdose can cause liver and
kidney damage
Conclusion
We would like to thank all those who participated for their unselfish efforts and we hope
that their suggestions lead to further discussions and action.
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF DRUG USE?

10. You may begin to suspect that your children are using drugs if you notice that they are acting differently or if you find
strange objects around the house. These changes may mean the child is using drugs or they may not. Teenagers are
often very moody. However a serious change of character and particularly extended over a period of time may be a
sign that the child is using drugs. Be careful not to jump to conclusions since many of these changes can also be signs
of normal adolescence or signs of other kinds of problems.
Changes In Mood:
• less caring and less involved at home
• cranky or more difficult to get along with
• moody
• secretive and uncooperative
• withdrawn, depressed
Physical Changes:
Your child may:
• lose weight
• get red eyes
• have trouble talking or walking
• have difficulty sleeping or sleep long hours into the morning
Changes In Behaviour:
Your child may:
• skip classes at school
• get bad grades
• need more money (you may notice money is missing)
• lose her job
• change friends and not be willing to bring them home or talk about them
• have trouble concentrating and paying attention
• spend more time in his room or away from home
• change interests and hobbies
• receive late night calls or other phone calls from people you don't know
These objects may be used by your child to take drugs or to cover up the use of drugs
Objects/Equipment used to take drugs:
• cigarette papers-(for rolling joints)
• roach clips-(for smoking joints)
• hash pipes-(for smoking hash)
• glass water pipes-(for smoking hash or crack)
• syringes-(for injecting drugs)
• vial-(for hash oil)
• small scales-(for weighing drugs)
• pills, powder, other substances that you can't identify
• pop bottles with holes in the bottom
• pop cans with punched holes
• scorched knives
Objects/Equipment used to cover up drug use:
• eye drops (to reduce blood-shot eyes caused by smoking marijuana)
• mouth wash (to cover up breath odours)
• incense (to cover up smell of smoking drugs, such as marijuana, hash in house
SOURCE: A PARENT HANDBOOK FROM PARENTS AGAINST DRUGS (PAD)