Pubdate: Sun, 22 Apr 2007 Source: Morning Star, The (CN BC) Copyright: 2007 The Morning Star Contact: http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1352 Author: Jennifer Dyck SERIES TACKLES TOPIC OF THE COMMUNITY-WIDE DRUG PROBLEM It used to be that kids got 'busted' for doing drugs at school. Today, it's becoming more common for teachers to confront a student about drugs or alcohol, and receive an honest answer. "I, now as a vice principal, can approach some kids and say, 'How's your drug use?' And they'll be open with me," said Malcolm Reid, W.L. Seaton vice principal. It's now a thing of the past to see scolding and punishment as a way of dealing with drug and alcohol use in the schools. Even the term 'busted' is taboo. This new-age, honest approach isn't a sign that schools have come to accept drug use, but it's a proven, more effective way of dealing with substance-use problems. "I think it used to be just strictly enforcement and that didn't work," said Reid, noting the current four-pillar approach of education, harm reduction, treatment and enforcement. "I think our district's come a long, long way. We're one of the leaders in the province." But substance abuse is obviously more than a problem in schools, which needs to be addressed. "Any issues that we see in the schools are really reflective of what is happening in the communities. The changes we need to make are not school-based changes, they're community-based changes." So the school district is extending an opportunity of education to parents and the community. The district presents part three in a Substance Abuse Awareness series Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Seaton Secondary theatre with Const. Brian Evans of the Vernon RCMP drug task force. Const. Evans will be talking about some of the current problems in the community, what the RCMP is doing, and what everyone can do. "What can we do as far as a community-wide approach to battle against this?" said Evans. "This is not just a policing issue, it's a community issue." The fact is that drugs are a starting point for many in high school. For some it is just a short-lived experiment, but unfortunately sometimes those experiments can develop into an everyday addiction. "There are a lot of cases where people are some of the best students in your school and then they start partying and are now some of the worst people in their community," said Evans. Reid attests to that fact. "I can't tell you the number of times I've had a parent in my office saying 'what happened to my baby?'" Now a lot of the times these situations are relieved through help from the schools and community resources. But help at home is also imperative. "Catch it at the beginning, before it's too late," urges Evans. To help parents do so, Evans will be offering tips such as keeping an eye out for such drug paraphernalia as rubber tubing, L-joints, brass fittings and mini plastic baggies. He will also be raising awareness about the situation in the community, which is that crack is the biggest drug in this town. For more information about the presentation contact Doug Rogers, Vernon School District substance abuse prevention counsellor at 549-6719. - --- MAP posted-by: Elaine