EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
THE TEAM
Pascaline Cabouret
A dentist, she has always campaigned against drug abuse. She gained her experience through SAMU (the French Emergency Medical Aid Service), as well as in schools and through her professional consultations. A mother of 5 children aged from 15 to 25, it was as a member of a parents' association that I first heard about MC d'Welles, in 2001. Wanting to know more about the organization she represented, I participated in a training course. I immediately expressed my interest to the headmaster in inviting Ms. d'Welles to the school. I took part in several seminars at Enfance Sans Drogue in order to be able to educate middle and high school students more effectively. I also wanted to look after my patients who had different concerns and to be able to talk with my children about the subject and with all of my acquaintances. Because everyone knows someone who uses psychotropic drugs! I learned a lot during Enfance Sans Drogue's training sessions, as well as through helping the organization and courtesy of the testimony of the parents.
Claudie Colin
As the mother of a 27 years old girl, I had been made aware of the problem of cannabis consumption amongst young people through a seminar with ESD. I am lucky I am not directly affected by it, but my daughter lives in a sphere where people use drugs regularly. It is important to me to be informed about it and to take preventative action. This is one of the reasons that I joined the organization. I am also a member of another organization, which enhances the role of the family in our society.
Sophie Pélissié du Rausas
At the beginning of 1999 I attended a conference on drugs by Marie-Christine d'Welles held by the World Movement of Mothers. At that time I only had two children, aged four and two and a half. Needless to say, I was sure that the topic would not concern me! When I heard that most high school pupils used drugs, that they felt ill because of them and that they couldn't talk about it with their parents, I felt that this was something which needed to be addressed urgently. I offered to join Marie-Christine d'Welles to help her find the best means to aid people, which seemed to be through prevention. And thus ESD was created. A graduate of the Law Institute in Lyon, I wanted to further my knowledge of drugs and so I gained a University Degree in Toxicology from the Medical Faculty in Angers.
Sophie Roubertie
A mother of three boys (aged 6 to 17) I studied law. Convinced that it is necessary to be well informed about drugs in order to be listened to by our children, I partook in a course run by Enfance Sans Drogue in 2003. I realized then how much the products have evolved and how it is now more necessary than ever to warn our children about the risks of drugs. Ten years ago, I wouldn't have imagined that drugs were everywhere and so easily accessible. More than ever, I wish to communicate as much and as objectively as possible about drugs to children and parents alike.
Marie-Christine d'Welles
Marie-Christine d'Welles A writer, she is the author of "Folle moi ?" published by Editions Stock in 1989, followed by several novels, essays, documents translated in many languages. Her two last books "Sous son aile un refuge" et "C'est quoi la drogue ?" were published by Editions Jean-Cyrille Godefroy in February and September, 2013. Marie-Christine d'Welles also is a founder and General Secretary of Enfance Sans Drogue, a mother of 3 children and a grandmother of six. To visit her website: www.mariechristinedwelles.fr
Drugs are not a disease. The best way to stop them is not to take any. Heroin addicts who achieved withdraw admit that complete abstinence is the only solution. They say it themselves : it is more difficult to withdraw from Subutex (substitution drugs) than from heroin…
Any psychotropic drug, be it legal - anxiolytic, tranquillizer, benzodiazepine, neuroleptic - or illegal - street drugs - leads to ill-being, depression and to suicide. See table with side effects of psychotropic drugs – Technical Information/Classification .
Voir le tableau des effets secondaires des drogues psychotropes (Fiches / Classification)
No parent would lend his car to his child knowing he/she has not learnt to drive. It would also be unconscionable to let one’s teenager go out without having taught him/her what drugs are. Nowadays availability of these products is such that youth can procure them in all the places they frequent – educational establishments, parties, class dinners, rallies, sport clubs... Parents must inform themselves objectively and scientifically about the products so to educate their children on drugs and provide them with the arguments to refuse them. Let us remember that drug addiction doesn’t just happen to others!
In 1968, it contained from 0,6 to 6% of THC – TetraHydroCannabinol - principal active substance. In recent years through genetic modifications, hybrids and greenhouse cultures, it can contain up to 35% of THC. Nowadays, cannabis consumed by teenagers does not have anything in common with what their parents knew. For more information about cannabis see “Technical Information” section.
AEROSOLS Nitrous oxide and other pressurized gases such as those contained in whipped cream canisters or computer anti-dust sprays also have hallucinogenic effects. In a few seconds they produce excitement, dizziness, euphoria, loss of consciousness and affect the central nervous system through lack of oxygen. Moreover they are inhaled under pressure and can provoke lung frostbite and vocal chords injuries, (eg. immediately after taking this drug the voice becomes lower.)
POPPERS Volatile nitrites have similar effects to nitrous oxide. Moreover they can provoke panic attacks, heart palpitations and headaches. They are also responsible for deaths by anoxia. They are vasodilators frequently used to relax sphincter muscles. They are carcinogenic and provoke serious immune deficiencies – such as AIDS.
STAIN REMOVER Stain removers are derived from ethylene. They are hallucinogenic but their effect is more calming, unlike poppers and aerosols, which are more stimulating. They cause damage that is neurological (deafness, tremor) and intellectual (dementia).
Member Organization of Make Mothers Matter, granted General Consultative Status by the United Nations.