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. - --- MAP posted-by: Elaine