Pubdate: Wed, 23 Feb 2005
Source: Whitecourt Star (CN AB)
Copyright: 2005 Whitecourt Star
Contact:  http://www.whitecourtstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/718
Author: Leigh Hammond
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

GETTING THE FACTS STRAIGHT

An exciting initiative to find out the amount of alcohol, tobacco, and 
marijuana use has taken place in our community, and the results are 
something to be very proud of.

"Let's celebrate the positive, healthy things the children in our 
population are doing," says Cheryl Connell, tobacco counsellor for Alberta 
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC).

"Children have strengths and we want to recognize these strengths."

AADAC, in accordance with Northern Gateway Public and Living Waters 
Catholic school districts have put on a campaign called Strength in 
Numbers, which deals with the issues of alcohol, tobacco and marijuana in 
children attending St. Joseph and Percy Baxter schools, in Grades 6, 7 and 8.

"We were given permission by both school boards to go ahead with this 
campaign, and we worked directly with the two schools," says Connell.

Connell points out 72 parents and 581 students were surveyed for the 
campaign, which dealt with individual issues and issues seen in peers.

"It's important to do more prevention work surrounding the differences in 
alcohol, tobacco and marijuana," Connell states.

"The goal is to do this for the next five years, and add a grade on each 
year so we can follow the stages."

The following statistics were determined from the campaign;

* 94 per cent of Whitecourt students in Grades 6, 7 and 8 don't smoke 
cigarettes. * 97 per cent of Whitecourt students in Grades 6, 7 and 8 don't 
smoke marijuana. * 59 per cent of Whitecourt students in Grades 6, 7 and 8 
have never had more than a sip of alcohol. * 85 per cent of Whitecourt 
students in Grades 6, 7 and 8 never drink alcohol when hanging out with 
friends. * 89 per cent of Whitecourt students in Grades 6, 7 and 8 never 
get drunk. * 73 per cent of Whitecourt students in Grades 6, 7 and 8 think 
their parents are good role models. * 73 per cent of Whitecourt students in 
Grades 6, 7 and 8 have curfews in their homes. * 83 per cent of Whitecourt 
students in Grades 6, 7 and 8 have parents that show they love and care. * 
88 per cent of Whitecourt students in Grades 6, 7 and 8 tell their parents 
where they're going when they go out. * 71 per cent of Whitecourt students 
in Grades 6, 7 and 8 think the most believable sources of information about 
alcohol, tobacco and other drugs are their parents.

For more information, contact Connell at 778-7123. 
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MAP posted-by: Beth