Loading...
The Times Advocate, 2005-02-23, Page 31Wednesday, February 23, 2005 Exeter Times–Advocate 31 The Hensall Legion branch public speaking competition was held Feb. 15. Pictured above from left are those from grades one to three: Jason Metzger (Hensall Public), Janelle Shapton (2nd, Hensall Public), Michael Beierling (1st, Zurich Public) and Emily Schade (Zurich Public). In the middle photo from left are those in grades four to six:Tyler Cooper (2nd, Hensall Public), Danielle Meikle (3rd, Hensall Public),Andrew Gill (1st, Zurich Public) and Amanda Thiel (Zurich Public). In the bottom photo from left are students from grades seven to eight: Margaret Ainslie (Zurich Public), Sheldon Clausius (3rd, Zurich Public), Dylan Fidler (Hensall Public),Amanda Schneider (Hensall Public) Emily Ainslie (2nd, Zurich Public) and Amanda Welsh (1 st, St. Boniface). (photos/submitted) Support EpilepsyAwareness Month CLINTON — "A seizure lasts a moment, dreams last a lifetime. Epilepsy does not have to be a barrier to achievement." That's the message of Epilepsy Huron -Perth - Bruce's public awareness campaign that will be launched in March. While living with seizures can be difficult, the most challenging aspect is often the stigma and misunderstanding that surrounds those affected by epilepsy. Educating the public about the disorder is the key to reducing the stig- ma and barriers that people with epilepsy sometimes face. The awareness cam- paign will be delivered to the community through assistance of many car- ing businesses. These businesses have agreed to offer book- marks explaining first aids for seizures, along with lavender ribbons in the effort to raise aware- ness of epilepsy during the entire month of March. Why a lavender ribbon for epilepsy? The laven- der flower is traditionally associated with solitude, which fits epilepsy as iso- lation is often one of the primary difficulties facing people with epilepsy. Want to learn more about epilepsy? In recog- nition of Epilepsy Awareness Month, Epilepsy HPB is hosting two workshops titled "The Real Facts about Epilepsy." These work- shops will be held at the epilepsy office beside the Huron County Health Unit off Highway 4 just south of Clinton. Workshops are scheduled for March 10 from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., and March 17 from 1 - 4 p.m. Space is limited. Both workshops are free and everyone is welcome. Help raise awareness of epilepsy while supporting the 300,000 Canadians with epilepsy by wearing a lavender ribbon for the entire month of March. Epilepsy HPB is a proud, funded agency of the United Ways of Huron, Perth and Bruce counties. For more information on epilepsy, call execu- tive director Caroline Simons at 482-5527 or 1- 866 -EPILEPSY. You can send e-mails to epilepsy@tcc.on.ca Freedom to Read Week has local roots By Mark Nonkes SPECIAL TO THE T -A HURON — A chapter of local history was recently uncovered as the Huron County Library cele- brates Freedom to Read Week Feb. 20 - 26. In 1978, a small local agricultural town was pitched on the verge of riot. People were red- faced and ill-tempered. The area high school gymnasium was packed with angry parents, upset seniors and curious stu- dents. It was as close to a book burning as Clinton would come. Banding together, a group of concerned par - Alcohol and drug use among teens (Note: the following story was writ- ten by a South Huron District High School student in the Grade 11/12 Communications class. The article is one of several that SHDHS students are submitting to the T -A this year.) EXETER — Alcohol and drug abuse is a big issue affecting teens today, as shown by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) studies. The cause of this is peer pressure, to look cool, feel good, to feel grown up, or depression. Many teens die each day due to alcohol and drugs. People can die from an overdose of drugs, alcohol poisoning, a drunk driver getting into an accident and getting killed or killing someone else. Unfortunately, people don't see the results of these actions or what could happen to them or someone else. Most teenagers get to an age were they start changing, trying new things, and seeing what's cool (or not) to fit into the crowd. Government of Canada surveys show that most of the teens today abuse a variety of drugs, both legal and illegal. Examples of legal drugs are glue fumes, over the counter medicine, prescribed medication, alcohol, gasoline fumes and other toxic chemicals. Examples of illegal drugs are marijuana, heroin, opiates, pot, crack, LSD, PCP, cocaine, speed, stimulants and designer or club drugs. One Stats Canada survey shows 19 per cent of teens aged 12 to 15 have smoked marijuana. Toronto police reports show that drug crimes have increased by an estimated 42 per cent since the early 1990s and about one in 10 homicides are drug relat- ed. "Talk" is a Web site that deals with parents and teen issues. One of their student surveys have shown that children who are comfortable talk- ing to their parents about feelings and concerns are more likely to stay drug free. Alcohol is also a growing concern for teenagers today. Most teens today drink because it looks cool or their friends pushed them to it. A Stats Canada survey shows more than 22 per cent of 15 -year-old teens have been drunk at least once in their lifetime. Some teenagers get away with drinking and driving but others have tragic consequences. When a teenager is drinking and driving, they put their life in jeopardy and those around them, sometimes with fatal results. This will lead to many broken hearts and empty spots in people's lives. According to the Exeter OPP the most common drugs found in the Exeter and surrounding area are alcohol, gasoline fumes, weed, hash oil, crack, marijuana and ecstasy. According to the AACAP there are many warning signs in a number of areas that may suggest a teenager is taking drugs. Physical signs are: Fatigue, sleep problems, repeated health com- plaints, red and glazed eyes and a lasting cough. Emotional signs are: Personality change, sudden mood changes, irri- tability, irresponsible behavior, low self-esteem, poor judgment, depres- sion, withdrawal, and a general lack of interest. Family signs are: Starting argu- ments, breaking rules, or withdraw- ing from the family. School signs are decreased interest, a negative atti- tude, a drop in grades, many absences, truancy, and discipline problems. Social behavior signs are: Peer group involved with drugs and alco- hol, problems with the law, and a dramatic change in dress and appearance. If you notice any of these warning signs in your child, you should con- sult your family physician or a quali- fied mental health professional immediately before it gets worse. "Talk" suggest that parents should sit down with their child and talk about alcohol and drugs and explain what the consequences are for peo- ple who take drugs. They should be a positive role model for their child and have good communication lines between each other. Listen to your children's problems and concerns and try to help them out in any way you can. And, if someone offers your child alcohol or drugs, teach your child to come up with good excuses and know how to say no. Sources: www. aacap. org; www. talkingwith- kids.org; www. statcan. ca www. drugabusestattistics. samh- sa.gov www.focasas. com ents questioned the Huron County School Board's choice of litera- ture on the senior high school curriculum. Three controversial novels sub- jected teenagers to what protestors called blas- phemous language and sexually explicit pas- sages. An outright ban of Margaret Laurence's "The Diviners," J.D. Salinger's "Catcher in the Rye" and John Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men" was demanded. Passionate pleas from both sides of the argu- ment were delivered one cold night in the Central Huron Secondary School auditorium. Stuck in the middle, The Huron County School Board found itself in the heart of a censorship battle. On one side, con- cerned citizens formed to tackle the school board head on, crying loudly for the novels to be banned. On the other side, noted authors led a group of citizens arguing the liter- ary value of the ques- tioned works and reminding the board of the "freedom of expres- sion." The protest caught national attention. It brought the censorship debate to the spotlight. Canadian literary icons spoke up for the "free- dom of expression," and articles appeared in The Globe and Mail, Maclean's Magazine and newspapers across the country. Twice petitioning the school board for the removal of the three books, the concerned cit- izens felt success when their objection to one of the books, "The Diviners," was acknowl- edged and it was removed from school reading lists in 1978. Quickly after the ban, a counter -movement to have the board reinstate the novel emerged result- ing in formation of The Society for Freedom of Choice. The group criti- cized several people in support of the ban, along with some local school board members who voted to dismiss the book from schools for not hav- ing read "The Diviners" themselves. On a wider spectrum, directly after the Clinton book banning, the Book and Periodical Council of Canada formed the Freedom of Expression Committee to fight against censor- ship in schools. This group produced the pam- phlet "Censorship: Stopping the Book Banners," equipping librarians and teachers with information and arguments to counter book challenges. In September 1984, the Book and Periodical Council of Canada orga- nized its first Freedom to Read Week. This annual event is a reminder to Canadians of our right to read without interference and publicize current threats to Canadians' intellectual freedom. This year, the 21st annual Freedom to Read Week is celebrated in schools and libraries throughout the country from Feb. 20-26, 2005. Throughout Huron County, many of the 13 branches of The Huron County Library are fea- turing book displays reminding us of our democratic right to write, publish and read. This month, take advantage of your "Freedom to Read" and visit any branch of The Huron County Library; there, you can pick up a copy of "The Diviners," "Of Mice and Men" or "Catcher in the Rye" and remember local history started a national aware- ness movement. To find out more about Freedom to Read week, visit their Web site at www.freedomtoread. ca.