Giving our children chances for a better future

KAMLOOPS — There is a great animated movie for children (and adults) called Robots that my boys loved and watched many times. So did I, alongside them. There are many memorable lines and teachable moments, but the tag line that stuck with me was ‘See a need, fill a need.’

If only we’d each do that, at a personal, family and community level, life would sure turn up a bit brighter for everyone. The thing is, some people really do and that creates a momentum, or so I want to believe.

Case in point: the much needed and ingenious initiative on dealing with needles by two Kamloops residents, Dennis Giesbrecht and candidate Caroline King. I perused through many articles where they explained their idea (a nickel for each returned sharp). Many people commended them for it and sme even donated money for their buy-back program, others did the opposite, unfortunately. Like it or not, thousands of sharps are no longer a risk for people in the community and that is big. A brilliant illustration of ‘see a need, fill a need.’

That British Columbia has seen a lot of drug addiction trouble in the last couple of years is no big news anymore; it is heartbreaking though, more so when we get reminded that it is not just adults that are in trouble but young people too, teenagers and younger.

My latest thoughts have been revolving around these two big issues: the existing and very complicated drug trouble, and the putative future drug trouble, which today’s kids might be walking towards unless we find ways to prevent it.

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My eldest, who has just turned 16, and gets to meet his friends all over town often talks about how pervasive drugs are among teenagers. From the seemingly innocuous pot (not so innocuous when it comes to a developing brain though) to hard drugs which are sometimes used by kids as young as 12.

Some of the usual hangout places, such as Pioneer Park, can become an impromptu drug scene. It is not unusual to see that, or to occasionally see older people approach kids to offer them various drug ‘freebies’. To say that all kids are at risk of trying things out might be taken as an overstatement. Trouble is, way too many are.

How can we possibly make our children safe? One thought popped into my mind as I drove, for the umpteenth time, by the now empty building on Seymour Street where the Value Village thrift store used to be. What if that space could somehow be made into a teenage safe hangout place, operated by say, trained volunteers and possibly a couple of counsellor-type professionals who could be available for chatting about the many hidden issues that are present and way too real in teenage territory, such mental health, drug use, and life troubles of all kinds. Pool tables, food options (not from a machine but real food that could be provided by various food farms around Kamloops) and whatever else would make the space inviting, could be added as they are figured out. I dare say it could be a lifesaver for many. A future-saver too.

Many teens might still prefer a place away from any adults, but some might just be open to the idea of hanging out around safer adults, even for short bouts. Both in the summer when school is out but also during the school year. It’d be a start, and a work-in-progress kind of project like many projects centered around people are, but a start nonetheless. Coupled with, say, regular forums for teens and parents, on drugs use and the reality of overdoses, mental health and particularly suicide awareness and prevention.

From what I could gather so far as a mom of a teenager, I believe that we do not speak merely enough about the above-mentioned issues. These conversations are not the birds-and-bees chat of yesteryears, that is not enough. They have to a constant in the community and so should the development of safe hangout places for teens. By safe I mean safe to be, with all the silliness that teens bring aboard, but also safe from street drugs which whether we are ready to admit it or not, are a pervasive presence among our children. Safe from mental health issues that can affect them temporarily or permanently but are easier to catch and deal with when they are young. If we help make it happen that is.

No kid aspires to become a drug user when growing up or live on the street. Nor do they think through the idea of gateway drugs, alcohol being one of them (and fully legal, at that, albeit not sold to teens but many get around that.) Music that abounds with drug references (gone are the days when subtle was the word) is pouring into our kids’ ears and pooling in their minds. The danger of habituation with the drug use narrative cannot be overstated. Children’s minds are absorbent, and they are moulded by what is constantly present in their immediate environment.

We owe it to them to provide an environment that is mindful of their vulnerable nature, but also mindful of the dangers lurking around them. We understand the projected risks of their behaviour today, which their still-developing brains are unable to fully perceive or fully understand. Therefore, we ought to act on it.

I often chat with other parents who are aware of all of this and do their best to keep their children safe. That is great. Unfortunately, not all children have that. Hence the reminder: we are all in this together. My children and yours are truly safe when we ensure that we do all that we can to make it as safe as possible for all children in a community.