Pubdate: Fri, 18 Jan 2008 Source: Richmond News (CN BC) Copyright: 2008, Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc. Contact: http://www.richmond-news.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1244 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Marijuana - Canada) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin) SUSPENSION'S OUT, THERAPY'S IN Students Caught Using Drugs or Alcohol Are Sent for Three Days Of Addiction Counselling Not long ago students caught using drugs in school got a sound thrashing. More recently they were suspended. Now they receive counselling. Since last September, students have been required to attend three half-day sessions at Richmond Addiction Services if they are found using or possessing drugs or alcohol. So far, 54 first-time offenders, with an average age of 15, have attended the Constructive Alternative to Teen Suspension program. Thirty-six were boys and 18 were girls, according to Rick Dubras, youth and family program manager for RAS. "It's marijuana and alcohol that they're getting caught for, (although) there's been some admission of ecstasy, cocaine, heroin and crack use," Dubras added. So far, the program appears to be a success. "Thus far, we're pleased with the service and pleased that we're able to work with the community to, hopefully, put together something beneficial," said Rob Inrig, school district administrator of inter-agency relations. The program is modeled after a similar one created by Terry Bulych in West Vancouver. "The statistics are that they have reduced re-offenders in West Van and North Van," said Dubras, who is confident the same will happen here. The three days equip students with information about drugs and alcohol, and the consequences of using them, as well as strategies to make good decisions and say no. "Rather than them automatically saying, 'You're out of school and come back three days later, or five days or whatever,' they're really doing some proactive work with them, helping them make better choices, different choices and understand the implications of things," Inrig said. Dubras said the program has made a difference for participants. "When we have had follow up sessions we've had young people say that it was important that they could go to a place where they could be open and honest. We've had people stop using, we've had people stop using nicotine and we've had people reduce their use," Dubras said. The students learn about the continuum of addiction from no use, to experimental and recreational use, to using for effect, to habitual use and eventual dependence. "Addiction is defined with the three c's: lack of control, using despite negative consequences and a compulsion to use," Dubras said. "We want them to have a better understanding and ways to cope and make better decisions and choices around drug and alcohol use." The take-home message from the CATS program is that young people have the right to refuse. "It highlights the importance that they have free will and that they have choice. If they are addicted they don't have a lot of choice," Dubras said. School trustee Sandra Bourque said the school district is always looking for more effective ways to deal with destructive behaviour. "Our end desire is not punishment, but a change in behaviour," Bourque said. "This kind of response to kids who are involved in drugs is bound to be more successful." Suspension is useful in some situations, Bourque said, such as when safety is an issue or the incident is very serious. "You're never going to totally eliminate suspension," Bourque said. The CATS program is mandatory and open during school hours every day of the school year. Students begin the program immediately, usually the day following a school offense, once parents are informed. Following the initial three sessions, individuals are seen for up to three individual counselling sessions. "We want to be accessible to them after the program. The biggest thing is we're trying to create relationship," Dubras said. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake