The executive director for Choices for Change says the availability of a wide range of drugs in Huron and Perth counties is creating problems in treating addictions.
Catherine Hardman says alcohol and marijuana are the most commonly-used drugs in Huron and Perth, followed by methamphetamine and opiates. She adds any of the drugs being used in larger, urban centres are also now available in rural communities.
Hardman says the challenge for them is that the people they see today are most often using a combination of drugs. She says they have to sort their way through what those are and what impacts they might be having so a cross-addiction definitely creates complications.
Hardman adds 20 years ago, the most common addiction was just alcohol, but now it's very seldom one thing and that's a much more complex problem to deal with.
There are some very clear signs that Hardman says parents can watch for in their children that could point to a problem. She says different drugs can result in different symptoms -- some can cause dramatically increased energy and activity while others tend to make people more withdrawn. But she suggests any significant change in behaviour can indicate a problem.
She also points out that we hear about problems with drug use more frequently now. However, there are also large segments of our population, including younger people, who don't use drugs -- so the news isn't all bad.
Hardman says treatment is effective, and people who are using drugs and want help can find it through treatment.
