Pubdate: Thu, 15 Nov 2007 Source: Chronicle Herald (CN NS) Copyright: 2007 The Halifax Herald Limited Contact: http://thechronicleherald.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/180 Author: Kristen Lipscombe PRINCIPAL - MILLWOOD HIGH HAS A PROBLEM WITH DRUGS School Bringing In Ex-Addict To Talk To Kids About Addiction Dealing with drug-addicted high school students has been "very dramatic and traumatic for us all," the principal of Millwood High School said Wednesday. Lachie MacIntosh said staff at the Lower Sackville school started noticing a small group of students abusing serious drugs when the year kicked off in September. In fact, the school coped with about five hooked students within the first couple weeks of school. "There are a small number of students who, at the risk of categorizing but probably safely saying, are addicted," Mr. Mac-Intosh said, adding that some are hooked on prescription medicines while others are likely using the illegal variety. The worried educator estimates there are roughly 12 to 15 teens who are suffering from a "severe dependency" - about one per cent of the 700 students. Mr. MacIntosh, who spoke candidly about the challenge his school faces, said Valium seems to be one option available to students - but it's not the only drug at their fingertips. "The fact is they're being consumed," he said. "Any prescription drug that will give an effect, and (that) the kids like, is a possible candidate. The mystery of what they're ingesting is part of the appeal as well, so there could very well be a variety of other drugs." And the problem isn't isolated to any grade level, he said. "We've had some incoming Grade 10s who have been affected and I've seen it in our senior students as well." That's why his high school is dealing with the drug problem quickly and openly by bringing in a former user to talk to students and by hosting three meetings for concerned parents and the surrounding community. "We invited an expert in to speak . . . who had a lifestyle of addiction herself," Mr. MacIntosh said. "I sort of charged her with the responsibility of trying to figure out the culture of the school and what drugs are on site and what (is) being consumed. "But I excused myself from the meeting - I wanted the atmosphere to be comfortable." Millwood High held its first two evening gatherings earlier this month, the Nov. 6 meeting featuring a speaker from the provincial addiction program Choices and this past Tuesday's session focused on counselling services and parenting. "(It's) the village raising the child," Mr. MacIntosh said of his school's decision to take a stand. "Most parents think that if their child is not consuming drugs then they don't have to attend a meeting like this. I'd beg to differ that we are a microcosm of society." The third meeting is scheduled for Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. and will emphasize "the physiological effects of drugs," Mr. MacIntosh said. "I've got medical experts to come to explain to parents what the body goes through when you're consuming this." Mr. MacIntosh, who moved from Sir Robert Borden Junior High in Cole Harbour to Millwood High in August, said he has never seen such obvious drug use within school walls. "They are debilitated to the point where they certainly can't learn anything; their very health is at risk," Mr. MacIntosh said. "When they consume drugs, that means others will be visiting the school to sell drugs. . . . It brings us all to a certain level of risk." Doug Hadley, spokesman for the Halifax regional school board, said the problem at Millwood probably isn't that different from what's occurring in many other high schools in the municipality. "In many ways our schools are reflections of what's taking place in the broader community," he said Wednesday. Mr. MacIntosh said he chose to apply for his position at Millwood because of its stellar reputation. "The celebration of the successes of this school is not going to be clouded by addressing an issue that is a part of every school culture. Every school . . . deals with drug issues. No one is exempt." - --- MAP posted-by: Derek