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Friday, April 28, 2000 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER No rave reviews for drug use at raves B y Ctaucfia D 'Souza SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Paramedic warns students about deadly results "quality control" factor of recre ational drugs. Is it pure or mixed with something like Drano or has it been exposed to herbi cides or pesticides? Can you trust your dealer? And, how do you know you're taking a safe dose? McTaggert said he's seen a range of complications due to overdoses or allergic reactions to these drugs such as cardiac arthymia, renal failure, neuro logical damage, pulmonary edema, coma and amnesia. In fact, an inability to remember the night before is a huge red flag. P.E.P. panel member Josh B., 19, knows all too well what McTaggert means. A recovering alcoholic and drug addict, he began drinking at the age of 12. The addiction soon escalated to 40 ounces of whiskey a day or more, plus drugs. "Name a drug and I'ye done it," he grimaced. "I drank from the moment I woke up until I went to bed. I got thrown out of the house seven or eight times, got into fights I don't even remember. It was pretty sad. I lost most of my friends. At 17,1 spent 22 days in rehab. Everybody says it gets easier, but that's bull - it gets harder." Just two weeks ago, Josh made a serious mistake he'll always regret. He robbed a local Tim Horton's and could face a jail term of up to seven years. "I screwed up," he said shaking his head. "If you know someone who has a problem, try to get them help. I would be dead without a few good friends." Josh readily admitted he threw away R aves may be all the rage with the carefree under- popular and controversial all30 set, but they also night parties and has been sum demand intelligent decision moned to many more through the 911 emergency system. making. "There are two types of Just ask paramedic, Bill raves - illegal and McTaggert, who legal," he told the sees the tragic fall "When you see some gathering of 180 out of bad choices on a regular basis. one at a rave who looks students. re sleeping, "Paramedics must Two days after like th ey' 24 people were they might be dying. An be present at legal raves because it's arrested on drug- overdose o f these drugs been written into related charges can shut down the res Toronto's by-laws and three were due to the number of hospitalized after piratory system .." -- Paramedic drug-related deaths. a rave held at Bill McTaggert But these drugs are Exhibition Stadium in .................... ................ everywhere, not just at raves," he noted. Toronto, McTaggert, a veteran paramedic, spoke openly to "Don't assume it won't happen senior students at Appleby to you." The Halton resident warned College, Tuesday night Accompanying him were of the potent and often unpre social workers, Ray dictable nature of popular Pidzamecky and Penny Smith euphoria-inducing drugs such as who co-lead Parent Watch - a Ecstasy and GHB, and the forum for parent information potentially lethal results of mix and support. Six teen members ing them with alcohol. "It's like holding a revolver of the Peers Empowering Peers Program (P.E.P.) rounded out with one bullet in it to your the discussion on drugs and the head," he noted. "When you see high school party scene as part someone at a rave who looks of the Appleby's Residential like they're sleeping, they might be dying. An overdose of these Life program. In recent years, McTaggert drugs can shut down the respira has used his advanced life sup tory system." Then, he added, there's the port skills at half a dozen of the his teenage years. He doesn't remember most of it and what he does remember, he'd rather forget. But as he waits to learn his fate, he holds on to one dream. He wants to be a social worker and psy chologist just like Pidzamecky. "He saved my life," he said. "He got me into detox and rehab. If there's any thing I've learned it's that you can't run away from your problems." For more information about P.E.P. or Parent Watch, visit www.parentwatch.com or call (905) 319-9026. 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