Pubdate: Thu, 26 Oct 2006 Source: Nanaimo News Bulletin (CN BC) Copyright: 2006, BC Newspaper Group Contact: http://www.nanaimobulletin.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/948 Author: Darrell Bellaart NADAC TARGETS YOUNGER AUDIENCE An earlier education could help reduce drug and alcohol abuse among young people, says Steve Arnett, Nanaimo Alcohol and Drug Action Committee chairman. Although different schools of thought offer sometimes-conflicting theories on how to curb substance abuse, Arnett says education is an important element. And he hopes the 30-odd agencies that deal with the problem in Nanaimo join forces over the next five years to make education happen earlier in a child's life. Arnett said current information indicates the age of experimentation is dropping among youth, and that has to be addressed by teaching young people the perils of substance abuse. "Over the next five years (our goal) is really to implement a strategy to get into schools and get to the younger grades," he said. NADAC recently worked with a number of local agencies to come up with what it calls its Process for Developing an Alcohol and Drug Strategy for Nanaimo, with help from a $10,000 federal grant. Some of the goals in that document include: - - Reducing harm from substance abuse - - Boosting safe, supportive housing for youth - - Reducing duplication of services - - Creating "evidence-based accountability" in the system. While Arnett admits some 30 local agencies lack hard numbers on the prevalence of drug use in Nanaimo, a recent youth survey of Nanaimo school district students tells him the problem is getting worse. That survey relied on students' self-reported information, which can only be considered accurate up to a point, Arnett said. "But the school study seems to suggest we need to focus prevention efforts earlier - Grades 5 and 6," he said. "It's kind of like sexuality, if the experimentation happens earlier, and I really mourn the loss of innocence for kids." It will be among the items on the agenda at a public forum planned for Beban Park auditorium Nov. 21 between 7-9 p.m. - --- MAP posted-by: Elaine