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New Web site to be voice for concerns of our youth By RICHARD VIVIAN The Champion Through the use of a new Web site. the Halton Youth Advisory Committee (HYAC) hopes to collect more accurate information and better gauge the opinions of area youth. "We thrughthesite) act asa channe to Monas, chair ofs and solutions," Cindy Monst chirofthe HYCtold the Halton health and social services commitîee last Tuesday during an updaîe of HYAC activities. "We also provide an opportunity for youth participation in educating, advising and influ- encing their local and regional govemments." The Web site (www.haltonyouth.com) is scheduled for launch November 27 and is inaccessible until tha time. The site is still under construction. Through the site, HYAC will help conneet youth lu various services, provide informnation about HYAC and better identify youth-onient- ed issues through regular surveys. Information gathered through surveys and polis will be used in rakîng presentations to regional council. "This is a single access point for any youth information or resources," added HYAC member Jets de Souia. "This (site) provides informnation resources and support services to help them stay in sehool, retum 10 sehool, ftnd homework help. job hunting, housing hunting. We hope our resource for education will be particularly tise- fuI for the double cohort students." A bulletin board will also be available for youth to share their thoughts and opinions on issues outsidc of surveys. "There is a code uf conduct. These messages are put into a holding tank and screened. No messages are altered or changed, but those who don't meet the criteria are deleted," explained Cindy. Funding for the site was provided by the Halton Region H-eath Depariment, the Regional Chair's Annual Charity Golf fiassic and the I-lton Police Services Board. The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, November 19, 2002-5 Study shows binge drink ing among youths on the rise Too often youth think they're immune to thse risks associated with alcohol. Dinking gaines, high alco- hol content in beer and coolers and chugging contests are making youth push their limits more than ever. Many young people use alcohol and may experience problems like alcohol poison- ing and injuries. 'Ils not 'just' alcohol' is one of the messages thse Halton Region HealtIs Department is emphasizing during Drug Awareness Week, which began Sunday and ends Saturday. According to thse Halton Student Drug Use Survey 1999, ahnost 70 per cent of students in grade 7 to OAC reported using alcohol at least once in thse past 12 months. Heavy drinking episodes (becoming drunk) and binge drinking (five or more drinks on une occasion) from Ontario sttadents rose 17 per cent tu 28 per cent in 1999. According lu tIse Ontauio Student Ding Survey 2001, alxost 41 per cent of grade il students reported drinking bu thse point of becoming ilin the four weeks pnior bu the survey. Alcohol poisoning is directly related tu binge drinking. Death may result from thse alcohol depressing and eventu- ally the persons heartbeat or breathing may stop, or hey might choke on their own vomit. Young peuple may think they know everythiing about alcohol, but often make deci- sions based on misinfonnation. Parents have a big role to play with regard tu modeling low risk drinking and talldng to their kids about their expecta- fions regarding drinkirtg and partying, says tIhe health department. It advises parents tou get informned and ensure their chil- dren have thse right informa- tion. For more information about how tu talk to your kIds about alcohol and binge drinking, cal the Halton Region Hlealth Department at (905) 825-6060, ext. 7835. WvIN .YOUR VEHICLE $1ocooo ....5......O O........ $500F ........ 2 5 ......... $2950 .... 2...., ......... $19500 OFF Win Minimum of $500. or You Could +. YOUR VEHICLE - J C DOWN PAYM ENToAc) INTERESTFOR 90 DAYS) J PAYMENTS (FOR 90 DAYS) Zoî rrr.nU iiDT«iiai i v ai i 9flfl9mflflEi, wr on virtually ail 2002 ModeIs up to 60 mionths or virtually ail 2003 Ilodels up to 48 mionths Ail Trade-Ins L mi lé* iV lii '. Li erL UUL Milton Welcme! 1 000 Alil models quality for furiher savings with your GM Card points Sr erg 3l Welcome!Generations Main St.The sensible way to buy a car or truck ________CHEVROETOLDSMOBILE HVWY. 25 S. AT DERRY RD., MILTON *on selectmodels -seodealer for dtails