Pubdate: Fri, 28 Jan 2005 Source: Penticton Western (CN BC) Copyright: 2005 Penticton Western Contact: http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1310 Author: Brian Jonson, News Staff Reporter Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) DRUG USE, LIABILITY FOCUS OF FORUM Drugs, drinking and parent liability were the focus of a forum at Princess Margaret secondary school Tuesday night. More than 100 parents and students came to hear experts discuss how youth are using drugs and alcohol and how to spot users. The night also served as the kick-off for the Drug Free Zone program in School District No. 67. Community leaders including school superintendent Gary Doi, Insp. Dan Fudge and Coun. Gus Boersma expressed their support for the forum. "It's heartening to see young people, parents and staff here - to say 'Yes this is a troubling issue but we can do something about'," Doi told participants. Fudge said society sends mixed messages about marijuana use - a habit which is at least as damaging as smoking cigarettes, he said. "I have a son, and I don't want him not to smoke (marijuana) just because it's illegal necessarily," he said. "I don't want him to smoke it because it's bad for his health." Boersma, who spoke on behalf of Mayor David Perry, urged parents to express their support for a city bylaw that would hold landlords accountable for grow-ops on their properties. In one of three sessions held throughout the evening, Const. Wally Taylor passed around samples of drug paraphernalia seized in Penticton to show parents what to look for. Items such as eye drops (used to reduce redness in the eyes of pot smokers), small weigh scales, scissors and razor blades, rolling papers, bud busters and tiny baggies used to carry and store drugs are among the items that should raise red flags for parents, he said. Danny Highley with substance abuse services at Maggie talked to parents about trends in drug use and their role in prevention. Statistics show that two-thirds of students who have never tried marijuana said that losing their parent's respect or pride was one of the main reasons they had abstained, he said. Parents shouldn't underestimate the importance of their relationship with their children and should talk to them about drugs and drinking, he said. He also recommended keeping youth busy after school as one effective way of deterring smoking, drinking and drug use. Cpl. Rick Dellebuur told parents they could be held liable for any problem arising from a party hosted at their home, even if they are not present or are unaware of the party. Even when a lawsuit isn't successful, parents may have to spend thousands of dollars defending themselves, he said. He recommended parents who want police to be able to deal with out-of-control house parties in their absence provide a neighbour with written permission to authorize police to enter their home. Dellebuur also introduced the drug free zone program. Houses within a two-block radius of McNicoll Park middle school, Skaha Lake middle and Princess Margaret secondary and Penticton secondary school are designated drug free zones, said Dellebuur. Residents living within those boundaries have been contacted by volunteers or have received a notice informing them they now live in a drug free zone. The designation means schools will seek maximum penalties for students caught using or trafficking drugs in the zone, he said. Police will step up patrols, make it a priority to deal with grow-ops in the area and Crown prosecutors have agreed to ask for stiffer sentences for those charged with drug-related offences within the zone, said Dellebuur. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek