Pubdate: Fri, 19 Mar 2010
Source: Red River Valley Echo, The (CN MB)
Copyright: 2010 Altona Red River Valley Echo
Contact: http://www.altonaecho.com/feedback1/LetterToEditor.aspx
Website: http://www.altonaecho.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4006
Page: 5
Author: Lori Penner

PARENT UPSET WITH SCHOOL DIVISION RESPONSE TO DRUGS

An Altona Parent Told Trustees He Was Frustrated With W. C. Miller`S 
Response To His Son`S Drug Use

A parent told the Border Land School Division board that after he 
found marijuana in his son's room, he requested that staff at W.C. 
Miller search the youth's locker where more was found. Police were 
called and the youth was suspended from school for five days. The 
parent was assured that as part of the process, his son would receive 
counseling at the school, but two weeks after his son returned to 
school, there still hadn't been any mention of it. "I was surprised 
that there is no program in place in school for marijuana use. We 
took action. I had my son charged with possession and also let him 
know I contacted the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba (AFM). I'm 
determined my son won't become another victim."

He said he was shocked when he heard how prevalent drugs are. He 
appealed to the board to take a more proactive approach to awareness 
and discipline. "I still have two more kids who have to pass through 
that school. I consider my son at risk and the majority of the 
students at Miller at risk."

He told the board that as elected trustees, it was their 
responsibility to address issues like this. W.C. Miller principal 
Jonathan Toews said safety is a number one priority at the school. 
And as important as that safety is, Toews said they still operate on 
a trust basis at Miller. "We don't come to the school every day 
expecting to find drugs," he said.

However, he did admit they are becoming more aware of drugs at the 
school. "The school is a mirror of the community at large. If there 
are more drugs in the community, it also becomes evident in the 
school. And if you talk to the police, they'll tell you they're 
noticing more in the community, especially marijuana."

When drugs are suspected, he said they will search the backpack and 
locker. Finding drugs results in an automatic suspension, with the 
maximum being five days. Anything longer must be handled by the 
board, which can extend the suspension up to six weeks. Toews said 
the student in question was promised counseling and it was on the way 
at the time of his complaint. "But schools can be slow moving 
systems. We can be in the middle of something and many factors can 
come into play. But if a parent has a sense of urgency, then yes, 
absolutely, the school needs to be responsive."

Toews said that while suspension may not necessarily be the most 
effective means of discipline, it does send the message that there is 
no room for that kind of behaviour in school. "Miller is a safe 
school and we do take these matters very seriously," he said.

BLSD superintendent Tim Mendel said they committed to counseling and 
admitted things should have moved quicker. "I think the school did 
take it seriously and was in the process of dealing with it when all 
this came up. We're always glad when a parent speaks out. I 
understand his anger and frustration - he cares about his kid, as do we all."

But Mendel said he didn't think it should have been put in the public 
eye both for the sake of the unnamed student and the reputation of 
the school. "My concern is for the way it was handled, especially for 
the student's sake. It was somewhat unfair to slam the school in such 
a public way."

The student is now receiving counseling. Mendel says the division is 
doing its best to combat drugs. "We have Drug Awareness Week. We have 
implemented drug dogs at all the high schools, and we are now hearing 
we should have them at Parkside as well."

Mendel said providing a safety officer isn't possible at this time. 
But the board is considering holding a community awareness meeting 
with the town police, the AFM and Teen Challenge.

Mendel says too often, the schools are expected to pick up where 
other agencies fail. "I won't say that this was the case here, but 
often when the home fails to address the problem, it falls on the 
school to provide it. I consider Miller a caring safe school with a 
good administrative team," he added. "Do we always do stuff perfectly 
and as timely as people would like us to? No. Are there times that we 
drop the ball? Yeah. But I think what needs to be done is a more 
concerted effort by all the parties involved: the schools, the 
parents and the community." The parent met with Mendel since his 
initial presentation and was happy with the response. "I will 
definitely continue to communicate with Tim," he said. "And as a 
result, I'm confident we will get a program in place. I'm happy with 
where it's going now."
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart