PARENTS URGE ACTION ON DRUG PROBLEM

The council chambers were overflowing Thursday - and so were the
emotions at a special Leamington Police Services Board meeting.

The meeting, organized at the urging of some very concerned parents,
centred around the drug problem in and around Leamington.

Heart-wrenching letters, written by parents of young people heavily
involved with drugs, were read aloud.

Tears flowed - some out of compassion, others ... well the stories
hit a little too close to home.

The letters spoke of failing grades, personality changes, theft,
violent behavior, withdrawal from family - all brought on because of
drug use by their child.

The words were heartbreaking - the parents though weren't asking for
sympathy, they were crying out for help.

They were there to ask for the community to join together in an
attempt to ease the drug problem amongst students.

And local principals Bill Toews of Leamington District Secondary
School and Leo Clark, principal of Cardinal Carter and
vice-principal Kevin Hamlin, were there supporting the effort to
stem the sale and use of drugs by local students.

Hamlin spoke on behalf of the principals. He said he sees the
effects drugs are having on the students and hears gut-wrenching
stories practically every day about the toll drugs are taking on young people.

He said both high schools are continually working on new strategies
on education and prevention to try and stem the drug problem.

"It takes a village - parents, the town, police," said Hamlin,
"crucial as well is corporate involvement - we all have much to gain."

Hamlin said it gives him no satisfaction to suspend students (for
drug possession or use) and finds its frustrating when the student
returns to school and does the same thing again.

He said they are trying to develop new strategies where the
suspended student has take-home assignments regarding their
behavior. Hamlin said the students need to realize that they are
accountable for their actions and will have a price to pay if they
continue to break the rules. The vice-principal said they are not
allowed to return to the classroom until the assignments are complete.

He said he would also like to see the suspended student receive some
type of outside intervention and counselling before returning.

Hamlin said a good working relationship with the police and a strong
police presence in and around the school is also key to keeping
drugs out of the schools.

"We want the police to come in as often as possible," said Hamlin,
"the greater risk is not having them here."

Spokesperson Shannon Matheson asked members of the police board to
lead by example and set up a drug action team.

"Let's make Leamington a no tolerance zone for illegal drugs," she
said, as the crowd rose to their feet and cheered the suggestion.

Police board chairman Rob Schmidt applauded the efforts of the group.

"I think if we can get a commitment from everybody," said Schmidt,
"we can make a difference."

Mayor and police board member John Adams said he would go back to
council and try and get some funding for the committee.

"We as a police board would like to be part of the solution," said Schmidt.

Matheson said the parents' group will look to other towns and cities
with task forces and try and pattern theirs on one that seems to be
working elsewhere.

The group will now await word from council.

At Monday's meeting town councillors said they will await a report
from the police board.

Councillor Hilda MacDonald said she was moved by what she heard at
the parent meeting, and agreed to sit on any committee taking action.

And she wanted action now.

"There's got to be something happen by the end of June," she said.

Deputy Mayor Robert Schmidt agreed council should be part of the discussion.

And the drug problem is "not just an enforcement issue."

"We need to be a partner," said Councillor Rick Atkin but he added
if people feel the municipality can solve the issue alone that is
the "wrong path."