Pubdate: Fri, 02 Mar 2007
Source: Portage la Prairie Daily Graphic (CN MB)
Copyright: 2007 Portage la Prairie Daily Graphic
Contact:  http://www.portagedailygraphic.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1993
Author: Leighton Klassen
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

NUMBER OF STUDENTS INVOLVED WITH DRUGS ON RISE: AFM WORKER

Use of cocaine and ecstasy among younger people, including those who 
attend Portage Collegiate Institute, is growing in Portage la Prairie.

"There's a rising concern with the use of cocaine in the younger 
population," said Barry Rud, prevention education consultant for 
Addictions Foundation of Manitoba.

Brenda Foster works with students at PCI four days a week. The AFM 
rehabilitation worker offers services in the form of education and 
prevention, accepts referrals for people using or affected by drug 
use and conducts assessments for addictions.

She said she has noticed harder drug usage by Portagers, such as 
those who attend PCI.

"There is ecstasy and cocaine being used by young people in Portage," 
Foster said yesterday.

She said she couldn't provide information on how many referrals and 
drug use assessments have been done, but said they have risen in the 
last few years. Foster did say there has been a noticeable increase 
in the use of stimulant drugs such as cocaine and ecstasy, also known 
as MDMA or "E."

"I would say generally, in the community, we're seeing more stimulant 
use," Foster said.

She didn't dismiss the severity of the concern, but said there are 
other drugs that are a problem for youth.

"Some of the biggest concerns is the amount of alcohol and marijuana 
use," said Foster, adding those drugs could lead to other drugs 
including a highly addictive stimulant called crystal 
methamphetamine. "There's this sweeping cry about (crystal) meth, but 
these kids aren't in our schools .... It all starts first with 
smoking, and then drinking, marijuana and then mushrooms to ecstasy 
to cocaine."

Principal Jim Pehura said this year, the AFM office in the school is 
receiving more referrals -- from students, parents or staff referring 
students -- than in the past, but he said it's because staff members 
are more aware of AFM's program.

The school is a community within the larger community of Portage, 
which means drug problems outside PCI's walls can also be found 
inside, the principal said.

"It's a reflection of our society," said Pehura.

He couldn't suggest whether drug usage has increased since Portage's 
two high schools amalgamated last fall.

Vice-principal Mark Diboll concurred.

"In the amount I deal with kids, I really, truly don't see more (drug 
usage)," Diboll said. "However, I don't see a decrease either."

Hazen Barrett, assistant superintendent of Portage School Division, 
claims drug use has decreased at the schools during the past two 
years, despite the fact there has been only one less suspension handed out.

He said at PCI, 19 suspensions due to drug-related offences -- which 
include being caught using drugs or selling drugs -- have occurred to 
date. Last year to date, there were 20 occurrences.

He said penalties vary, but in most cases, a first offence results in 
a four-day suspension. If a student agrees to attend an addictions 
assessment, their suspension could be lessened. However, assessments 
are mandatory for a second offence.

Barrett said he's impressed with the way staff are handling 
drug-related problems in the high school. Foster is convinced the 
education and assessments she gives in the office, as well as 
lectures presented in the curriculum are effective.

"There's a lot of stigma in the beginning when the kids don't know 
who I am," she said. "But now I have kids trotting into the office 
all the time."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom