Pubdate: Sun, 21 Mar 2004
Source: Surrey Leader (CN BC)
Copyright: 2004 Surrey Leader
Contact:  http://www.surreyleader.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1236
Author: Sheila Reynolds

DRUG ABUSE PROGRAM FOR KIDS

Kids as young as eight in Surrey elementary schools are learning how to 
avoid becoming substance abusers - hopefully before they've made the 
decision to try drugs and alcohol.

Eight local schools are currently piloting a program aimed at Grade 4 to 7 
students. The initiative began late last month.

Safe schools manager Theresa Campbell explained the Surrey-developed 
program is unique because it does more than just talk about drugs and their 
consequences.

"It teaches the steps to prevention - self-esteem, respect, responsibility 
- - and then leads into the decision making, as both factors apply to 
substance abuse prevention," she said. "It's really starting at the ground 
level, developing those skills and attitudes. It's not so much about the 
drugs, it's about decision making for our intermediate students."

The intermediate school program falls in line with the city's four-pillar 
drug plan proposed early last month. The draft document is based on 
prevention, education, treatment and enforcement - with a strong focus on 
youth.

Campbell, who's also a member of Surrey's Drug Crime Task Force, says 
research shows kids are experimenting earlier.

Statistics from Prevention Source B.C. (1997) show 77 per cent of students 
try alcohol before they hit high school, while 34 per cent try marijuana, 
59 per cent smoking, and 15 per cent, LSD.

What have schools been doing to address the issue?

"For the most part, at the elementary level, I would say it was pretty 
close to nothing," Campbell said. "That whole elementary shift has been 
recent for most school districts ..."

A lot of people concentrated on bringing those reality-based speakers in 
Grade 8 and 9."

While the high-impact, one-shot presentations such as showing students a 
toned down version of the gritty documentary Through The Blue Lens are 
effective, they don't stick, said Campbell. (The film depicts the grim 
reality of street life on Vancouver's Downtown Eastside.)

"Most research tells us that in order for these prevention programs to 
work, they have to be taught over a number of years so that learning can be 
reinforced and the kids have an opportunity to internalize the concepts 
that have been presented."

Also key in the process is parent participation.

The curriculum contains suggestions to teachers about how to increase 
parental involvement and foster discussions around drug abuse prevention, 
helping parents reinforce what's been taught that day.

"It always comes down to parents as partners," Campbell said.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart