HIGH SCHOOL DRUG USE IS ON THE RISE

MARIJUANA USE is on the rise in School District 28 and school officials are
doing everything in their power to stop students from smoking the drug at
school.

In the 1998/99 school year 45 students were suspended for using marijuana.
In 1999/00 that number climbed to 60 students - or a 33 per cent increase.
And so far this year, which is only half over, 55 students have faced
disciplinary action for drug use at school.

Correlieu principal Adrian Monych said his school has issued a number of
six to 10 day suspensions for possession of marijuana.

"It's not more of a problem here than it is at any other school. We are
being vigilant and we've had drug sniffing dogs in the school but nothing
has turned up," he said.

Over at QSS, principal Tom Hamakawa said they also do regular searches with
dogs, but haven't found any drugs.

"What that tells me," he said, "is that I'm confident drugs aren't being
stored at the school. We have a drug-free zone around the school and if we
catch someone we nail them. Drugs at school are unacceptable."

Monych noted his school also has a drug-free zone in place and Andrea
Thony, a regular drug and alcohol counselor, is available to students, but
those caught smoking marijuana are not forced to get counseling.

"They need to be willing to participate, otherwise what is the point?" he
said. The principal of Maple Drive Junior Secondary Robin Hay said "you can
only preach the speech so often."

Hay said he believes the trend is a "direct reflection of Quesnel society."

"Schools reflect the times we live in," he said. "I've seen more drug busts
in the newspaper and I think drug use in general is on the rise."

Sgt. Mel Petersen agrees.

"According to a number of our officers, there does appear to be an increase
in contacts involving drug possession. And young people consider these
minor incidents and show a lack of concern," he said.

Counselor Andrea Thony said she thinks the problem is two-fold.

"On the one hand I think availability is high -especially with access to
marijuana. On the other hand, school administrators are more aware of drug
symptoms and are better at catching kids who are using," she said.

Thony said she tries to educate young people about the dangers of drugs.

"We use a harm reduction approach and try to educate them as to how drugs
can affect their learning and coping skills," she said.

She also noted suspensions for drug use, while they might deter some, are
not effective for high risk youth.