NADAC TARGETS YOUNGER AUDIENCE

An earlier education could help reduce drug and alcohol abuse among
young people, says Steve Arnett, Nanaimo Alcohol and Drug Action
Committee chairman.

Although different schools of thought offer sometimes-conflicting
theories on how to curb substance abuse, Arnett says education is an
important element.

And he hopes the 30-odd agencies that deal with the problem in
Nanaimo join forces over the next five years to make education happen
earlier in a child's life.

Arnett said current information indicates the age of experimentation
is dropping among youth, and that has to be addressed by teaching
young people the perils of substance abuse.

"Over the next five years (our goal) is really to implement a
strategy to get into schools and get to the younger grades," he said.

NADAC recently worked with a number of local agencies to come up with
what it calls its Process for Developing an Alcohol and Drug Strategy
for Nanaimo, with help from a $10,000 federal grant.

Some of the goals in that document include:

- - Reducing harm from substance abuse

- - Boosting safe, supportive housing for youth

- - Reducing duplication of services

- - Creating "evidence-based accountability" in the system.

While Arnett admits some 30 local agencies lack hard numbers on the
prevalence of drug use in Nanaimo, a recent youth survey of Nanaimo
school district students tells him the problem is getting worse.

That survey relied on students' self-reported information, which can
only be considered accurate up to a point, Arnett said.

"But the school study seems to suggest we need to focus prevention
efforts earlier - Grades 5 and 6," he said. "It's kind of like
sexuality, if the experimentation happens earlier, and I really mourn
the loss of innocence for kids."

It will be among the items on the agenda at a public forum planned
for Beban Park auditorium Nov. 21 between 7-9 p.m.