Pubdate: Wed, 14 May 2008
Source: Leamington Post (CN ON)
Copyright: 2008 Leamington Post
Contact:  http://www.leamingtonpostandshopper.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3990
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

PARENTS URGE ACTION ON DRUG PROBLEM

The council chambers were  overflowing Thursday - and so were the 
emotions at a  special Leamington Police Services Board meeting.

The meeting, organized at the urging of some very  concerned parents, 
centred around the drug problem in  and around Leamington.

Heart-wrenching letters, written by parents of young  people heavily 
involved with drugs, were read aloud.

Tears flowed - some out of compassion, others ... well  the stories 
hit a little too close to home.

The letters spoke of failing grades, personality  changes, theft, 
violent behavior, withdrawal from  family - all brought on because of 
drug use by their  child.

The words were heartbreaking - the parents though  weren't asking for 
sympathy, they were crying out for  help.

They were there to ask for the community to join  together in an 
attempt to ease the drug problem amongst  students.

And local principals Bill Toews of Leamington District  Secondary 
School and Leo Clark, principal of Cardinal  Carter and 
vice-principal Kevin Hamlin, were there  supporting the effort to 
stem the sale and use of drugs  by local students.

Hamlin spoke on behalf of the principals. He said he  sees the 
effects drugs are having on the students and  hears gut-wrenching 
stories practically every day about  the toll drugs are taking on young people.

He said both high schools are continually working on  new strategies 
on education and prevention to try and  stem the drug problem.

"It takes a village - parents, the town, police," said  Hamlin, 
"crucial as well is corporate involvement - we  all have much to gain."

Hamlin said it gives him no satisfaction to suspend  students (for 
drug possession or use) and finds its  frustrating when the student 
returns to school and does  the same thing again.

He said they are trying to develop new strategies where  the 
suspended student has take-home assignments  regarding their 
behavior. Hamlin said the students need  to realize that they are 
accountable for their actions  and will have a price to pay if they 
continue to break  the rules. The vice-principal said they are not 
allowed  to return to the classroom until the assignments are  complete.

He said he would also like to see the suspended student  receive some 
type of outside intervention and  counselling before returning.

Hamlin said a good working relationship with the police  and a strong 
police presence in and around the school  is also key to keeping 
drugs out of the schools.

"We want the police to come in as often as possible,"  said Hamlin, 
"the greater risk is not having them  here."

Spokesperson Shannon Matheson asked members of the  police board to 
lead by example and set up a drug  action team.

"Let's make Leamington a no tolerance zone for illegal  drugs," she 
said, as the crowd rose to their feet and  cheered the suggestion.

Police board chairman Rob Schmidt applauded the efforts  of the group.

"I think if we can get a commitment from everybody,"  said Schmidt, 
"we can make a difference."

Mayor and police board member John Adams said he would  go back to 
council and try and get some funding for the  committee.

"We as a police board would like to be part of the  solution," said Schmidt.

Matheson said the parents' group will look to other  towns and cities 
with task forces and try and pattern  theirs on one that seems to be 
working elsewhere.

The group will now await word from council.

- ----

At Monday's meeting town councillors said they will  await a report 
from the police board.

Councillor Hilda MacDonald said she was moved by what  she heard at 
the parent meeting, and agreed to sit on  any committee taking action.

And she wanted action now.

"There's got to be something happen by the end of  June," she said.

Deputy Mayor Robert Schmidt agreed council should be  part of the discussion.

And the drug problem is "not just an enforcement  issue."

"We need to be a partner," said Councillor Rick Atkin  but he added 
if people feel the municipality can solve  the issue alone that is 
the "wrong path."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom