Ulster's dope smoking kids

Joints replace fags in the playground

Smoking in the schoolyard has taken a sinister twist — with cannabis joints replacing the traditional fag, as the new 'hit' for Ulster kids as young as nine. It's a worrying trend, which is on the increase, and affecting an estimated 35% of children of primary school age. Combined with the ongoing scourge of solvent sniffing and alcohol abuse, it paints a grim picture for the future generation.

The problem is particularly prevalent in north and west Belfast, but community groups have launched an onslaught against the growing menace. The Forum for Action on Substance Abuse (FASA), is one such organisation, tackling the issue head on. Community Support Officer, Darren Whiteside, has been involved in this line of work for over a decade, and outlined the extent of the shocking craze.

“I know of children in P6 and P7, who think it's almost the norm to nip out of classes and light up a cannabis joint,” he explained. “There, youngsters are only nine, 10 and 11, but were probably introduced to drugs through solvents. They would have progressed to cannabis, having sniffed anything from nail varnish to paint stripper. Unfortunately, they have had their taste of a 'high', and will then begin to abuse alcohol.”

But it doesn't stop there. Stronger illicit substances appear in the playgrounds of secondary and grammar schools, as early as first year.

Prescription drugs — such as the tranquilliser Temazepam — are becoming more commonplace. The harrowing, hallucinogenic magic mushrooms are another substance, which has much the same effect as the powerful narcotic, LSD.

Kids can experience terrifying 12-hour trips, which lead to mind-blowing distortion, and uncontrollable paranoia. But, the far-reaching drugs' problem is widely recognised and, as Darren explains, an awareness and support programme is up and running. It takes many forms, ranging from education in schools to parental counselling, leaflet drops and open days.

“A lot of youngsters first start drug, solvent and alcohol abuse, with the impression that it does no harm, and helps them to chill out,” said Darren. “But, many eventually come to realise, that they have become dependent. I know children who are full blown alcoholics at 16. I have worked with kids who are dependent on sniffing solvent, on a 24/7 basis — just to get them through each day.”

“All these young people, and their parents, must remember that help is always out there. They just have to ask.”

FASA can be contacted at 16, Woodvale Road, Belfast or by telephone at 0298 90803040. The group also have a website on www.fasaonline.org

Reaching out to help addicts
Sitting alone in his bedroom, with a noose around his neck and a bag of glue for company, 14-year-old Declan gave up the will to live. For five years, he had been hooked on all sorts of substances — from his mum's nail varnish remover, to the adhesive in his bicycle puncture repair kit.

But it had just got too much. He was ready to die. His distraught mum turned to Darren Whiteside for help and it undoubtedly saved young Declan's life.

For four-and-a-half hours, he stood outside the north Belfast teenager's bedroom, gently talking to him, with only words of encouragement. And all the time, the noose was wrapped around Declan's neck, in a heartbreaking gesture of absolute despair. Even in those dark hours, Declan continued to sniff at his bag of precious glue, until eventually he gave in to Darren's compassionate persuasion.

It proved a turning point in the young addict's life, an inspirational story which should give hope to to others, facing similar turmoil. With the help of Darren and his team at the Forum for Action on Substance Abuse, he was offered counselling and support.

Now 16, he is almost entirely clean — giving in only on the very rare occasion, when he slips back into his old ways. But his life now, is a far cry from his days of total dependence on glue and solvents.

Said Darren: “There was a time when Declan would wake up in the morning and the first thing he would reach for would be a bag of glue. It got to the stage where solvents were the only thing getting him through the day. He was always in trouble with the police, accused of burglaries and car crime and all kinds of anti-social activities. He would break into garages to steal paint, petrol and white spirits - anything that would give him a high. ”

“It took a suicide attempt to force Declan to reach out for help, a very brave step for a lad who had all but given up.”

The teenager's name has been changed, to help protect his identity.

Shock mix added to pot
An alarming cocktail of potentially harmful substances, is being mixed into the popular “soapbar” cannabis, sold on the streets of north Belfast. Last year, the PSNI drug squad seized a quantity of the substance, on the Crumlin Road, and it's content makes for shocking reading. After analysis, it was found the haul contained only 10pc of cannabis.

Other elements included:

• Boot polish
• Beeswax
• Turpentine
• Henna
• Ground coffee
• Vinyl
• Motor Oil
• Glue
• Dyes
• Animal Waste
• Milk Powder
• Pine
• Resin
• Aspirin
• Ketamine
• Toluene
• Benzene

The last two chemicals are particularly dangerous, causing side effects, such as fatigue and confusion.

These can be followed by spasms, tremors, slurred speech, loss of hearing, vision and memory, poor co-ordination, liver and kidney damage.

By Pauline Reynolds
13 October 2003

http://www.sundaylife.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=452535

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