SHIFT IN POT LAW PLANS ANNOYS DRUG EDUCATOR

The federal government's plan to decriminalize marijuana sends a mixed
message to school children, says the executive director of the
Vancouver-based Alcohol-Drug Education Service.

"It makes our job a lot harder," said Art Steinmann, whose non-profit
organization has just launched a new drug awareness program geared for
Grade 4 students across B.C.

"It's absolutely a mixed message to kids. If I was king for a day, I would
move to re-double our education and prevention levels."

Federal Justice Minister Martin Cauchon suggested last week that the
government would move toward decriminalizing marijuana early in the new
year, after a House of Commons committee on drug use made that recommendation.

The announcement followed a Senate committee's finding that moderate use of
marijuana poses no serious long-term dangers for adults.

But Steinmann said research that his organization has reviewed shows
"actually the opposite" for children and young adults using marijuana.

That research suggests there are both mental and physiological effects on
users while they are maturing, until at least the age of 20 or 21, he said.

While it might not pose the dangers of harder drugs, Steinmann said
research shows marijuana can have an effect on memory, judgment and the
respiratory system. As well, he said evidence points to a relationship
between smoking marijuana and smoking heroin or cocaine.

"My feeling is that drug-taking is risk-taking behaviour," Steinmann said.
"Really, it's no different with marijuana or ecstasy or cocaine . . . I'm
very surprised that we would be easing up on marijuana in any way."

Steinmann's organization believes education on drugs and how to resist
using them is critical. Its Grade 6 and 7 program is already in place in
1,200 classrooms across B.C., reaching 25,000 children.

The Grade 4 program, launched last month, is aimed to reach children before
they hit the average first-use age for drugs -- including alcohol and
tobacco -- which ranges between 10 and 12 years old.

"You need to hit kids about two years prior to the behaviour you're trying
to influence," Steinmann said. "But, in fact, our position is we're working
hard to develop material for kindergarten through Grade 12, for every age
level."

U.S. research shows that four- and five-year-olds have difficulty naming
more than one president. "But they can usually name quite a few brands of
beer and spell the (brand) names in many cases."

Making Decisions: Grade 4 is recommended by the provincial Education
Ministry. It includes a student storybook, Mission RAD (Research About Drugs).

Through the storybook, students follow a curious alien named Zorga, who has
been sent to Earth to learn about humans and drugs. When the alien's
computer spits out questions, Zorga's mission is to find the answers.

The questions Zorga answers through the program are some of those posed by
B.C. children in focus groups, Steinmann said.

Although the ministry requires B.C. schools to offer drug awareness as part
of their curriculum, it does not prescribe a specific program. Schools must
purchase Making Decisions, which sells for $85 a class set.

"As far as I know, there is no other program for the Grade 4 level,"
Steinmann said.

Victoria's private St. Michaels University School is considering the
program for its Grade 4 and 5 students, said junior school director Sally
Blyth.

"Awareness of drugs of all kinds has to start at a much earlier age than at
high school," Blyth said.