CLICK & DOUBLE CLICK: INTERNET LINKS TO DRUG EDUCATION WEB SITES FOR GENERAL PUBLIC (COLUMN 99)

Our attention over the past six weeks has focused on methamphetamine as we have prepared an eight-day series about the drug, which is under way.

Meth has its ties to the Internet. Those who cook up the drug can find the recipe online. Addicts can find help online, and crime fighters have taken their war to the Net.

A good place to start, if you want to learn more about meth online, is the Life or Meth site, brought to you by Midwest HIDTA.

www.lifeormeth.org

Joni: Basically, HIDTA is an effort in five states, including Missouri, to focus on the meth epidemic. Their advice: Live for yourself or live for the drug.

Peggy: The site explains the history and effects of meth. They have a Q&A about the drug, geared to helping keep children off meth. Here are examples of what to say and what not to say if parents think their child is doing meth.

Joni: The site also promotes the Crank hotline. The Web site is an outgrowth of the Life or Meth advertising campaign, which is really geared to children from 13 to 17 years old.

Peggy: You can also learn more about what states are doing to combat the drug. They explain a little about Missouri's newer, tougher meth law.

Joni: Here's an interesting quote from President Clinton. "The fight against drugs must be waged and won at kitchen tables all across America."

Peggy: The site has a lot of links to other drug-related Web sites. Here's the Partnership for a Drug-Free America.

www.drugfreeamerica.org

Joni: This is a site put up by the federal government. They claim to be the most complete and accurate compilation of information about drugs on the Web. They include tips on how to talk to your kids about drugs. I think much of this is aimed at parents.

Peggy: Here is their advice on how the average person can help stop drug abuse. Communicate and remember that you are a role model.

Joni: Here's another section with help for parents. You can take their quiz to see how informed you are about drug abuse.

Peggy: Here's one that stumped us. By the eighth-grade, how many children have tried at least one inhalant? The answer is one in five.

Joni: Here's another section, "Help, my kid's on drugs."

Peggy: They explain what to look for and what to do. Here are some specific tips on how to talk to your kids about drugs and alcohol. The average child tries alcohol at age 12 and marijuana at age 13. It's not too soon to begin.

Joni: Again, this site has a lot of links to related sites. Another site to check out is the Anti-Meth Web Site.

www.antimeth.com

Peggy: It comes from the state of Arizona and explains that meth doesn't just damage your body, it tortures it.

Joni: You also see a picture of a young girl whose face has been ravaged by meth. They have information about the history of the drug and what it does to the body.

Peggy: You can also request additional information about meth. You can also read news articles about meth from 1997 and 1998, including one from Time magazine about why people get hooked.

Joni: The site also links you to an assortment of hotlines, including the national ones. You can also read messages posted at the site, including some from recovering addicts. Here's one from a 16-year-old girl who was hooked.

Peggy: Here's a site from the American Council for Drug Education.

www.acde.org

Joni: Did you know one in three high school seniors reports using drugs? They have information for children on the Learning Trip. You get Oink and Boink, your lab hosts. You can learn how some drugs affect the human body. The site requires Flash.

Peggy: Here's a section for grown-ups, including teachers. In 1987, first-time marijuana users averaged 17 years of age. In 1996, the first-time users averaged just older than 13.

Joni: Here's something interesting about drugs in the workplace. They say 70 percent of those on drugs are employed. They are trying to help businesses cope with the high cost of substance abuse in the workplace. Drug users cost money because they have higher medical costs, 1/4 steal from their employers and they are less productive than other employees.

Peggy: They are more likely to be late or be in an accident. The site offers all types of drug brochures including one on methamphetamine.

Joni: If you want more information about the Drug Enforcement Administration, jump to their official Web site at

www.usdoj.gov/dea

Peggy: You can learn lots about the agency. You can also learn about the rise in teen drug use under their statistics section. They say marijuana use has tripled since 1991 among eighth-graders.

Joni: Here's national statistics on emergency room visits related the methamphetamine. They have an assortment of information on other topics.

Peggy: They also have a section called Get it Straight for children offering information about drugs. Click on publications, then on Younger Americans.

Joni: This is pretty good. It's written from a kid's point of view with questions and activities. The kids are called the Prevention Posse. It's a drug-prevention book online.

Peggy: Here's a link to the DARE, Drug Abuse Resistance Education, Web site.

www.dare-america.com

Joni: A lot of people are familiar with DARE because it is in our schools. This site is really geared to children. Daren, the lion mascot, leads us through the site.

Peggy: They have audio files online. You can listen to the DARE song. It also has sections geared to parents, teachers and officers. There is lots of information here.

Joni: Once the Southeast Missourian's "Meth or Life" series is complete, we plan to post the whole thing on our Web site. We hope to have it online in the next few weeks. Feel free to visit us at

www.semissourian.com

Peggy: What's your favorite drug education site? E-mail us at click@semissourian.com

See you in Cyberspace.

~Peggy Scott and Joni Adams are members of the Southeast Missourian online staff.