issue 10 / volume 41 Stop HIV & hep C now » Don't let the druggie man get you Andrea Arscott Senior Columnist he authorities have bombarded us with messages that marijuana is the gateway to more illicit drugs. You might tell yourself that once youre inside the gate, you can still get out, but there’s no guarantee you'll still have the power to control yourself— the key to get back out when you've had enough. If you're a recreational user, you cannot predict whether or not you'll delve deeper into drugs or be able to quit. Many users can’t stop the monster inside them from fulfilling its cravings for drugs, and you might not even become addicted by choice. Grab a tube of lipstick, and get your party boots on: there's a rager at UBC that you're going to crash with a new guy. Dallas pulls up ina dilapidated pick-up truck and, like a cat chasing a fuzzy ball, you run outside. You swipe the litter off the front seat before climbing in. He passes you a joint and says, “Want a hoot?” You put aside your fear of herpes and take a toke. With that, the danger begins. By the time you arrive at the frat house, you’re totally stoned. Laughing all the way to the door, you get out the vanilla vodka and SunnyD. All it : > he can make money, and he : takes is three drinks and you're : hammered. Feeling like you’re : going to puke, you take over a : bathroom and lie down on the : floor next to the toilet. Dallas comes knocking, and : you let him in. He says, “Snort : this line, you'll feel better.” You : can't think properly, and you : want the feeling to go away, so : you do it. Little do you know : that what you just snorted : wasn't cocaine. See, Dallas isn’t : even a student: he’s a dealer : who preys on young girls to get them hooked on drugs so : just gave you heroin. But guess : what? His supplier sold him : : fentanyl, claiming it was heroin. : : Fentanyl is1o0 times stronger: : than morphine, and according to Fraser Health, people can : die the first time they use it— : unfortunately, that could be : you. Fraser Health announced : that fentanyl sold as heroin : was the cause of 31 non- : fatal overdoses at Insite over : Thanksgiving weekend. It also : states in their warning that “the : : drug analysis report samples : contained fentanyl and caffeine : : (no heroin).’ In powder form, : fentanyl is very white—heroin : isn’t. Back on the bathroom : floor, Dallas recognizes signs : of an overdose. He notices : youre experiencing extreme : sleepiness, trouble breathing, : slow shallow breathing, and : cold and clammy skin. He tries : to pinch you and see if you _ + respond to pain stimulus, but: | } gets no reaction. Luckily, Dallas : : has taken naloxone training : and carries a naloxone kit. He : follows Fraser Health’s “SAVE : ME” instructions for an opioid : overdose: : § - STIMULATE: firm fist rub into the sternum. If there’s no response, call 9u : A - AIRWAY: clear airway : V- VENTILATE: give a breath every five seconds : E- EVALUATE: any change? If : : you have naloxone (Narcan) : : tested. available through BC Take Home Naloxone Program: M - MUSCULAR INJECTION: of Naloxone : E - EVALUATE: any change? After calling 9 and : administering the naloxone, : Dallas is able to revive you. : The paramedics take you to : hospital to be monitored, : as overdoses can come back : hours later. You've been given a : second chance, so lose Dallas’ : number and be aware of the life & style // 17 : latest in drug news. Dallas : didn’t succeed at getting you : addicted to heroin, but he’s : been successful before. People who struggle with : addiction are often consumed : with getting their next hit, and : it doesn’t matter how they get : it. If they have to share a dirty : needle to get high, they will. : HIV and hepatitis B and C are : transmitted through sharing needles and other equipment : for injection use. The Working : Group on Best Practice for : Harm Reduction Programs in : Canada has determined that : HIV, HBV, and HCV antibodies : are being found more often in : cookers, mixes and/or waters, : and filters used to inject : drugs. The group recommends : single-use needles and single- : use “works” to get high (ties : included). Stop HIV, HBV, and HCV now. Get informed, and get Come down to the Purpose : Society testing clinic at 40 : Begbie Street in New West : the first and third Friday of : the month from 11 a.m. to : 1 p.m. for anonymous and : rapid HIV testing and STI and : HCV testing. We also provide : vaccines, free harm reduction : supplies, and condoms! You : can also get your questions : answered by emailing : sexyquestions@purposesociety. : org Not your typical Starbucks cookie » Bet you can't just have one! Mercedes Deutscher Staff Writer fF is here and winter is coming, which means tasty seasonal goods are everywhere. A personal favourite of mine is a ginger molasses cookie. For those who haven’ tried this drug—I mean, snack—it is heavenly. Think of biting into a soft gingerbread man. This cookie is even better if you have it heated up. These cookies are great to share at seasonal gatherings, as gifts, or just as a wonderful snack. This recipe makes 24 cookies that you can share—or eat by yourself. You will need: - two and 1/4 cups all- purpose flour - two teaspoons ground ginger -one teaspoon baking soda - 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon - 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves - 1/4 teaspoon salt - 3/4 cup softened butter or margarine - one cup white sugar - one egg - one tablespoon water - 1/4 cup molasses - two tablespoons white sugar (for sprinkling) Directions: 1.Preheat oven to 350 F. Sift together the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Set aside. 2. Ina large bowl, cream together the butter or margarine and one cup sugar until it’s light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, then stir in the water and molasses. Gradually stir the sifted ingredients into the molasses mixture. Shape dough into walnut-sized balls, and roll them in the remaining two tablespoons of sugar. Place the cookies two inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet, and flatten slightly. 3. Bake for 8-10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for five minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container. Note: If you have the extra time, letting your cookie dough sit for 50 minutes will make the dough easier to handle!