Pubdate: Wed, 25 Oct 2006
Source: Penticton Herald (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 The Okanagan Valley Group of Newspapers
Contact:  http://www.pentictonherald.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/664
Author: Scott Trudeau

PROVINCE PUSHING STUDENTS AWAY FROM CRYSTAL METH

The provincial government is hoping to combat crystal meth - which 
addicts one in five who try it - with a public education campaign in 
B.C. classrooms.

The $3-million school-based program and public education campaign 
targets students, parents and teachers. It includes: classroom 
lessons and resources that help youth make healthy and informed 
decisions, teacher resources that support classroom lessons, a 
parents' guide to provide them with the information needed to talk to 
their children about crystal meth and a website, called www.no2meth.ca.

It features interactive games, activities and information on the 
effects and the dangers of the drug and how to help a child or friend 
who is using it, along with a public-awareness campaign.

The site also has a resource network for teachers, parents and 
students to educate them about crystal meth and the health risks 
linked to its use. It offers parents information on talking with 
their child about substance use, and tells students what they can do 
if a friend has talked about using crystal meth.

Connie Denesiuk, chairman for Okanagan Skaha school district, 
believes the campaign will provide schools with additional 
educational tools and resources to address the growing concerns about 
crystal meth.

Denesiuk said crystal meth is a terrible drug that has been seeping 
into society and into schools and it's paramount to drive home the 
facts about the danger. She noted there are a number of programs in 
schools to educate students on drug and alcohol prevention and 
implore them to stay away from these unhealthy and ultimately 
life-threatening practices.

Statistics on crystal meth stated that according to recent studies of 
B.C. secondary schools, about five per cent of students in grades 
7-12 may have used the drug, and that most first-time users occurs in 
Grades 9-10.

Bill Bidlake, principal of Princess Margaret Secondary, said that the 
three secondary schools in the Okanagan Skaha School District have 
programs dealing with drug and alcohol use.

Bidlake said that Planning 10, a four-credit course that students 
need to graduate brings into the open discussion about many different 
issues facing teenagers, including the areas of personal health and 
safety as they relate to drugs and alcohol.

In addition, a counsellor from Pathways Addiction Resource Centre is 
also available at Princess Margaret to speak with students about any 
concerns or problems relating to drugs or alcohol use.

At Penticton Secondary School, principal Pete Corcoran said crystal 
meth is a drug that has been on their radar for a long time and is 
something schools have had to deal with before.

"For the past five-to-seven years, crystal meth has emerged as 
something that draws our attention, although not in epidemic 
proportions," said Corcoran.

"What concerns us most are the addiction stats on crystal meth that 
say 20 per cent of those who use it become addicted."

Corcoran noted how the program and in particular the website is 
taking an integrated and innovative approach to dealing with the 
growing problems surrounding the drug.

At the 2005 Union of British Columbia Municipalities convention 
Premier Gordon Campbell committed $7 million in funding toward new 
initiatives to fight the use of crystal meth.
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MAP posted-by: Elaine