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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2005-10-26, Page 1010 Exeter Times–Advocate Wednesday,October 26, 2005 Former drug addict speaks at SHDHS Paul Christie, a former drug addict speaks of his personal journey to sobriety at South Huron District High School on Oct. 12.(photo/Nina Van Lieshout) By Nina Van Lieshout TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF EXETER — Life has not always been easy for former drug addict Paul Christie. "I have come so far you wouldn't believe," he says. Even now after staying sober for over six years there is still a bit of a battle. "I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow, I take it one day at a time. I make sure today that I'm clean and sober, one day at a time is great," explained Christie last week to a filled gym at South Huron District High School. Christie's long journey to where he is today began in Grade 7 when he started smoking. In Grade 8 Christie began smoking marijuana and by Grade 9 alcohol was already in the picture. "One time my two friends and I were at a party and we ran out of alcohol, we broke into this wealthy house here in Ontario, no one was home so we stole the liquor in their cabinet," explains Christie. "I don't remember much, just flashes, like bits and pieces but I woke up and turned on the news the next morning...two multi-million dollar homes burnt to the ground. When I got to school the police were there and I was in trouble." The police were by Christie's side for Grade 9 and part of Grade 10. "By the time I was 15 I'd already began using syringes full of cocaine and heroin and it just escalated from there." Christie has spent time in both a psychiatric hospital and in jail. "I was also wanted for arson charges and break and enter from that earlier incident in Canada but I fled to the States, to California and didn't see my family for 11 years, then I ended up in jail in California Thank God though, I got bailed out really quickly." Christie was a fugitive and his drug abuse was ruining his life. "I had a son. He's 11 now but I never spent much time with him Not having my family with me for so long has been a big regret." Over the years Christie has lost 11 of his friends to sui- cide. "They were all drug addicts and I consider myself responsible for five of those deaths," says Christie. "I actually tried to hang myself and I couldn't do it, it broke on me. I felt like a loser, I couldn't even kill myself." Christie considers himself a miracle. "I just woke up Let's work together for our children By Randy Wagler, TRUSTEE, HURON AREA 4 - SOUTH AVON MAITLAND DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD Are our students receiving a quali- ty education? I believe wholehearted- ly,"yes"! I think the latest provincial testing results published last week are a good indication that our children are receiving a very good education. The provincial testing results are intended to help school boards, schools, and ultimately teachers, improve student learning by measuring student achievement in reading, writing and mathematics in grade 3 and grade 6, and mathematics in grade 9. All of our board's results are posted on the Avon Maitland District School Board web -site, www.yourschools.ca. The results show that at the grade 3 and 6 levels our students are above the provincial average in reading and math, and slightly below in writing. In addition, if we compare results with previous years, our students have made significant improvements in all areas and are continuing to make improvements. At the secondary school level, our grade 9 students continue to excel well above the provincial average in math, and we continue to be among the top boards in Ontario. So, what do these results mean, and how should they be used? Firstly, these results show that most of our students are achieving at or above the provincial standard, which means they are learning what they are expected to learn. Secondly, we can see improvement from year to year, which means that we are helping more and more stu- dents to be successful each year. It also means that we are learn- ing from our experience and striving to continue to improve. These results should be used in a variety of ways. They should be used to help us as a board, as schools and as teachers to focus on areas that need improvement; both gen- erally and for individual stu- dents. For example, the writ- ing results for the board are consistently just below the provincial average, so there is work to do in that area to help our stu- dents. For individual students, par- ents and guardians can use their child's testing results as a way of understanding where they can work with teachers to improve specific problem areas for their child. I would caution however, that the testing results should not be used as a way to compare one school to another. School results can vary for many reasons, and what are more important are how a school's results change from year to year and how the results compare to the school's goal, not how the results compare to another school. I believe that our children are receiving a high quality education, and I think the provincial testing results indicate that. As we continue to identify areas for improvement, let's continue to work together so that more of our children can achieve their full potential. RANDY WAGLER EDUCATION MATTERS Brother and sister charged LUCAN — On Oct. 9 officers arrested a 19-year-oTd Stratford man for dri- ving with a disqualified license and breaching probation on Mount Carmel Drive near Lucan. The officers also charged the accused's 16 -year old sis- ter with obstructing and assaulting police after she slammed an officer's hand in the cruiser door. If you have questions or com- ments, please feel free to contact me at 235-4445, or email me at rwa- gler@fc.amdsb.ca one day, looked in the mirror and thought this is it, I don't want to do this anymore." He spent four days in detox and nine months in rehab. The now 41 -year-old lives in Fort Erie with his 11 -year- old son. "We get along great, we're like best friends." Christie is being sponsored by the Niagara-On-The- Lake/Lewiston Rotary Club, visiting 262 schools and speaking to over 200,000 students. Christie will continue crossing Canada with his talks at different high schools and when finished, "I'll speak at another 260, I'm going to keep going," says Christie. He has a web site detected to helping those who have a drug problem or know of someone who does, it's www.gloryclouds.com P Capsule Comments by Ernie Miatello Women who are smokers and pregnant should stop smoking. Smoking does increase certain risk factors to the baby like an increased risk of SIDS, (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), among others. Replacing smoking with nicotine patches to help quit certainly isn't without risk to the baby but is less toxic than actually smoking tobacco with its thousands of toxic chemicals. Check with your doctor. Work is currently being done on a vaccine for shingles. Preliminary results are promising. Shingles can be a very long and painful viral disease, which often occurs in the elderly who have previously had chickenpox as children. This vaccine is not on the market yet, but it's coming. The most concentrated natural sources of vitamin B-12 are from animal foods, meat, eggs and dairy products. Sometimes as we age we are unable to absorb enough vitamin B-12 from our food. If you are over 55, it is good insurance to take a multivitamin daily that can provide an extra 2.5 mg of this essential vitamin. In Britain, there are new anti-smoking TV ads that focus on how smoking can reduce sexual potency and physical attractiveness. These ads are sponsored by the Department of Health in England and aimed at the youth. It is important to be an advocate for your own health. We can help you achieve that goal. 17) Huron Apothecary Ltd. Phone 235-1982, 440 Main St. Exeter PHARM ASSIST "YOUR HEALTH CARE PHARMACY" j SEE THE WORLD UNDER 1 ROOF! TORONTO STAR SSearss- A FLIGHT FOR Tulin ANYWHERE WESTIET FLIES! SNOW HOURS Friday November 4 10am-6pm Saturday November 5 10am-6pm Sunday November 6 10am-spm ADMISSION Adults $10 Seniors (55+) $7 Children under 12 yrs FREE SHOW SPONSORED BY: 'Conditions apply. RBC Insurance NOVEMBER 4-6, 20 INTERNATIONAL CENTRE HALL 6 6900 Airport Rd, Mississauga www.travelandleisureshow.com psRUB4 www.aruba.com