Pubdate: Fri, 24 Feb 2012
Source: Abbotsford News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 Abbotsford News
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/BkAJKrUD
Website: http://www.abbynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1155
Webpages: http://mapinc.org/url/exOZKxVj
Author: Vikki Hopes

SUBSTANCE ABUSE REVIEW TASK FORCE

In the wake of several ecstasy deaths across the province, the 
Abbotsford school district and other agencies have set up a substance 
abuse review task force.

District superintendent Kevin Godden said at Monday's board of 
education meeting that the role of the task force is to look at the 
agencies' "collective response" to youth drug issues and come up with 
recommendations.

"We felt it was important to do something now," Godden said, 
referring to the ecstasy-related deaths of two Abbotsford young 
people late last year.

The committee will include representatives from local schools, the 
District Parents' Advisory Council, the Abbotsford Police Department 
(APD), community agencies and students.

Among the issues it will consider are:

* the quality and quantity of accurate data about substance use among 
students in Abbotsford;

* the range of prevention programs offered at local schools;

* the effectiveness of current intervention programs for high-risk 
students; and

* the extent to which community resources are working with the 
district in responding to the problem.

The task force has been asked to provide a report by June 15 to the 
board of education.

Meanwhile, the district is working with the APD on an information 
campaign - called Operation X - to warn students and parents about 
the dangers of ecstasy and other street drugs.

The APD announced the initiative on Monday. More information is 
available at abbypd.ca.

Go to abbynews.com to see Ecstasy: Duelling with death, a special 
multi-story News feature that appeared in print in the Thursday, Feb. 
23 edition.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart