Pubdate: Mon, 19 Sep 2005
Source: Edson Leader (CN AB)
Copyright: 2005 Edson Leader
Contact:  http://www.edsonleader.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/780
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?237 (Drug Dogs)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/raids.htm (Drug Raids)

DOG SEARCH SENDS SIGNAL

Drugs and alcohol do not belong in a school setting. That's a great message 
to send to all students in Edson whether or not they attend Parkland 
Composite High School.

Last Thursday's school search using an RCMP dog will hopefully hammer into 
students' minds that they shouldn't be messing with drugs. Otherwise, they 
are messing with their future.

It's unfortunate that Grande Yellowhead Regional Division (GYRD) can no 
longer trust their students to be drug-free. However, in today's society 
all teens should be questioned about their possible drug use.

Many parents would like to take the easy way out and deny that their 
children would be a candidate for even trying marijuana or meth. Raising 
teenagers is a battle enough, never mind trying to tackle touchy topics.

But that's where the fight should begin before it reaches the school 
system. Parents must tirelessly build communication lines with their 
children about drugs and alcohol instead of hoping that they will be able 
to handle peer pressure or temptations of taking the first puff.

Parents can access the Edson office of the Alberta Drug and Alcohol Abuse 
Commission for resources if they aren't sure how to broach the topic.

The schools are also willing to help. Parkland principal Bob Tredger 
prefers to informally involve local agencies and parents if a drug 
situation arises in school. Tredger wants to help a student overcome a 
possible problem instead of extorting to suspension or expulsion.

That's a great method because what does expulsion teach a teen addicted to 
alcohol or drugs? The student's problem would only continue instead of 
kicking a terrible habit.

GYRD is considering instituting a policy during this school year that would 
take this approach to drug use for all grades. Currently, Tredger doesn't 
have the alternative option to help the student first before suspension. He 
must throw a student out of school and then suggest help.

The high school principal is reminding students repeatedly this year that 
there is no tolerance for drugs and alcohol at Parkland. With the RCMP 
dog's visit, students are sure to take Tredger's message seriously.

Let's face reality. Drugs aren't leaving Edson without a fight from all 
levels of the community, including schools.

So if students must forgo their privacy for the sake of the health and 
safety of their school, they shouldn't protest future searches.

If parents won't deal with drug issues at home, it's up to the community to 
tackle the problem.

Edson doesn't need more addicts. The town wants to have healthy and 
productive teenagers.

Our future depends on it.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom