Pubdate: Mon, 07 Jul 2003
Source: Clearwater Times (CN BC)
Copyright: 2003 Clearwater Times
Contact:  http://www.clearwatertimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1448
Author:  Keith McNeill

SCHOOL DISTRICT 73 LOOKS AT DRUG STRATEGIES

Suspensions for drug and alcohol use have increased for each of the
past five years in School District 73, and continue to do so.

Over 209 drug related suspensions were given in the district in the
2002/2003 school year.

"It's not just a school problem, or a Kamloops problem, it's a
community problem," said John Harwood, school trustee for the
Clearwater-Blue River area. He was commenting on 13 recommendations to
address the issue recently approved by the school board. The
recommendations were contained in a report from a committee set up by
superintendent Terry Sullivan to look into child and adolescent drug
use.

Drugs available on the schoolgrounds and off include marijuana,
cocaine, alcohol, tobacco, methamphetamines, MDMA (ecstasy), GHB,
rohypnol, ketamine and LSD.

The committee recommended that prevention programs such as DARE be
further entrenched in schools. Programs would cover all grade levels,
but especially target Grades 7, 8, 9 and 10.

Staff should be trained to recognize signs and symptoms of drug use by
students. The RCMP is to be encouraged to provide training for staff
and parents on Standard Field Sobriety Testing (SFST).

Staff will also work with police to re-examine the drug-free zone
program and to develop strategies for the detection of drugs,
including the use of dogs.

The committee considered taking a position on federal proposals to
decriminalize marijuana, but was unable to reach a consensus. Members
of the committee included school principals, counselors, police and
representatives from health agencies. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake