WHAT EVERY PARENT SHOULD KNOW

Drugs

Parents of students at Lewisporte Academy now know a little more
about what to look for if they think their child may be involved with
alcohol or drugs.

Parents of students at Lewisporte Collegiate were invited and
encouraged to attend a presentation held at the school Feb. 25 about
putting a stop to drugs, with about 35 parents taking part.

The RCMP and Lewisporte Academy School Council partnered to put off a
joint presentation by Lori Mercer, addictions coordinator for Central
Health and Corporal Ann Noel of the RCMP Central Drug and Organized
Crime Awareness Section based in Gander.

School principal Pam Coish also took in the presentation. She said
she was very pleased at how things went.

"I thought it was fabulous. I thought the turn-out was a good size,
everybody seemed to be really interested in it and the presenters
obviously knew what they were talking about," said Ms. Coish. "There
was a lot of factual information, really good advice for parents who
are living in our community and raising children here."

Ms. Coish said she is proud of the school council for taking the
initiative to organize this presentation.

"I think it speaks to the fact that when communities work together
and when communities put their children up front and at the forefront
of what we do, it makes our communities a better place to be," she said.

School Council representative Vicki Cramm said she too found the
presentation quite informative and was pleased with the turnout.

She said the need for this program was identified back in the fall.

"There was a couple of things we wanted to see to throughout the
year," said Ms. Cramm. "It was something that we had planned,"

"School Council is hoping this year to do a couple of different
mandates around parents and parent awareness for the children that we
work with everyday," added the Lewisporte Academy principal. "I think
it is a good initiative and I think it is a good opportunity for
parents to come out and see that the school extends beyond the
academic realm, that it is part of the community and as part of the
community we can be resources to help them."

Ms. Cramm said she felt both Ms. Mercer and Cpl. Noel were very
thorough in their presentations.

"I thought both presenters were very articulate, I thought they were
both very passionate about the information, wanting to be able to
help the parents," she said.

Ms. Cramm said this also puts a face to these people should parents
have a need to contact them in the future.

"If they are calling up, say Lori, to ask her something, they have
seen her, they know she is someone they can approach as she comes
across as very approachable," said Ms. Cramm. "They can call her up
and leave a message, she is not just a voice on the phone."

Ms. Cramm said that having a couple members of the local RCMP on hand
also let parents know the RCMP is interested and provides them with
someone to contact.

Corporal Pam Blackwood was one of the local officers in attendance.
She said both presenters offered good advise and suggestions for parents.

"We would like to this talk for other community groups or schools or
if anyone else wants to inquire, we will certainly get these two
ladies out again," said Cpl. Blackwood.

Cpl. Blackwood said they have had people contact their office saying
they would like to see a program such as the one put off Feb. 22
offered in the area so she is glad the School Council took the
initiative to do it.

Presenters pleased

Lori Mercer said she was pleased to have been contacted by the
Lewisporte Academy School Council about doing this presentation to parents.

"I thought it was very pro-active on their part and preventative in
nature, and that's what we want," said Ms. Mercer. "The more
information we get out there the better it is."

Cpl. Noel agreed.

"I thought it was phenomenal," said the officer. "To see all those
parents arrive here on a busy night and share their concerns with the
community and the youth and take some action. It is nice to sit back
in our homes and say, 'Gee drugs are getting out of hand, alcohol is
getting out of hand with our kids, what can we do?' these parents
came out and did something about it."

Cpl. Noel said the parents who came out left with information they
cane take home and share with their children, share with their friend
over a cup of coffee. She noted that "they are doing something about it."

Ms. Mercer said the majority of requests her office receives is to do
presentations to students in schools but admits she doesn't receive a
lot of requests to speak with parents.

"You do need to know from both ends - the students need to know and
the parents need to know," said Ms. Mercer.

When asked what the biggest message she hopes parents take home from
the presentation, communication topped the list for Ms. Mercer.

"I think the biggest message I wanted to get out here is to have open
communication with your child," said Ms. Mercer. "Don't be afraid to
ask them the questions, you might not want to hear the answers but
you have to ask the questions. Sit down and have those daily
conversations with your child, get interested in what they are
interested in make sure you ask who, what, when, where and why.

"You might seem like a nag but they will thank you in the long run."

As for Corporal Noel, she said the need to parents to realize that
they need to be parents tops her list.

"Step back and stop being the child's friend. You can be there and be
their support but you need to be parents first, set out the rules and
let the children know there are consequences for their actions," said
Cpl. Noel. "Drugs and Alcohol are not permitted in out homes and if
they do experiment with it there will be some consequences.

Any other groups, organizations, parent groups or work places would
like to have Cpl. Noel meet with them can contact the Drug and
Organized Crime Awareness Section at 256-6863 or 424-4877. Ms. Mercer
can also be contacted about presentations to groups by calling 535-0918.