Pubdate: Thu, 31 May 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
Author: Vikki Hopes

SCHOOL DRUG SUSPENSIONS IN ABBOTSFORD SET A FIVE-YEAR MARK

Substance Abuse Task Force Makes Recommendations

Drug suspensions in Abbotsford public high schools are at their 
highest level in five years, according to a report released this week 
by the school district's substance abuse task force.

The task force reported at Monday's board of education meeting that 
drug suspensions for the first eight months of the 2011/12 school 
year were at 160 - up 33 per cent from all of the previous school 
year, when they were at about 120.

The number of drug suspensions was also at about 120 in 2008, 
compared to 130 in 2009 and 70 in 2010.

Trustee Rhonda Pauls speculated that the numbers could be up this 
year because of more focus on the issue by school administrators and staff.

Yale Secondary principal Jay Pankratz, a member of the task force, 
disagreed. He said staff have used the same approach in the last five 
years to handle any drug issues involving students.

"But we have really seen an increase in usage, (especially among) 
younger kids. Ninth grade boys are off the charts this year," he said.

The report also cited a survey conducted at Clayburn Middle School, 
showing that students are experimenting with drugs as young as Grade 6.

Alcohol, marijuana and tobacco continue to be the top substances used 
by teens, followed in smaller proportions by ecstasy, inhalants and 
crystal meth.

The task force was formed three months ago in the wake of several 
ecstasy deaths in the province, including two in Abbotsford.

The 12-person committee consisted of staff from local schools and 
representatives from the District Parents' Advisory Council, the 
Abbotsford Police Department and community agencies.

Their report concluded the school district has already implemented 
several effective policies and programs, but more work is needed.

Their top recommendation is that the district hire an administrator 
to oversee school safety, school completion and "social 
responsibility" initiatives, including those related to substance abuse.

Robert Bateman Secondary principal Jinder Sarowa, who headed the task 
force, said this would ensure that programs are consistent across the district.

The other top five recommendations are:

- - provide a common drug-education, prevention and problem-solving 
curriculum across the district;

- - conduct a survey of students about their substance use;

- - align training and practices for school drug and alcohol youth care workers;

- - hire two "engagement workers," one to liaise with students and one 
for parents; and

- - expand the YMCA alternate suspension program to the west side of Abbotsford.

The board of education made no decisions on the recommendations, 
pending the presentation of an implementation plan at a later date.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom