A User's Guide to Speed - Produced by the

[Frazz]

Author: Bruce McDougall

Date: 24th Nov. 2008

Source: news.com.au http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,24694190-1242,00.html

Copyright: Copyright 2008 News Limited

 

TEENAGE school students have been given access to a controversial brochure called A User's Guide to Speed while attending a NSW Government-promoted anti-drug and alcohol program.

 

The 35-page booklet, included among drugs literature displayed to up to 100 Year 8 students and parents during a community information day, contains a section on "tips to avoid getting bad speed".

 

In it, teenage readers are told: "If you don't already have a reliable dealer, try to find one and stick with them.

 

"When you're using a new batch, only try a little at first ... you can always use the rest later if you need to."

 

The booklet's availability during workshops at the Toronto Courthouse near Newcastle - along with another on "Choosing to use" that was ordered to be pulped in June by former Health Minister Reba Meagher - has outraged anti-drugs campaigners.

 

Produced by the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, the user's guide tells teens amphetamine-related speed can suppress appetite and help in weight loss.

 

Look, young people are going to try drugs no matter what anyone tells them or what laws are put in place. The more people try to keep drugs hidden away, the more dangerous they get....

 

Users are urged to take breaks from using speed, allow time to "come down" so it doesn't interfere with work or study and to carry the phone number of a legal aid solicitor with them.

 

One of the authors, drugs educator Paul Dillon, said yesterday the brochure's presence at the community day was an "unfortunate mistake".

 

Mr Dillon said the resource, produced to help amphetamine users cut down or quit the habit, was inappropriate for 14 and 15-year-old high school students.

 

"You have got to be very careful about the message you are delivering to young people," he said.

 

Mr Dillon, who had no involvement in the community day, said the booklet probably was among a selection of material provided by an agency asked to exhibit.

 

In promoting the community day Attorney-General John Hatzistergos said high school students would learn about the damaging effects of alcohol and other drugs.

 

Last night a spokesman for Mr Hatzistergos said the Government did not condone the use of illegal drugs.

 

"The Attorney-General's Department is looking into if, how and why this brochure turned up at a court open day," he said.

 

No Way campaigner Darren Marton, one of the guest speakers at the education event, said the material should never have been seen by teenagers.

 

"Those who ran the community day are at no fault in this - it is material produced from harm minimisation (advocates) and put there by others," he said.

 

"One lady who was helping out on the day was physically shaken and had to go outside in tears after reading the brochure."

 

Opposition education spokesman Andrew Stoner said a drugs guide was the last thing parents and their children needed.

 

"Students would be better served being in the classroom rather than at a workshop on drugs," Mr Stoner said yesterday.

 

what a flaming turnout lmao