HIGHWOOD HIGH SCHOOL PROACTIVE AGAINST DRUGS

Inviting George Chuvalo to speak to Grade 11 and 12 students on Nov. 23 was
the latest in a series of proactive anti-drug programs organized by
Highwood High School.

"We take a proactive approach to substance abuse," said Highwood vice
principal Gary Sawatsky following Chuvalo's presentation.

"We don't want to put our heads in the sand," he said.

"There is no sense in us pretending that drugs are not available in High
River."

Earlier this year, the school brought in Motivational Media Assemblies to
give a crash course on countering substance abuse and violence. The school
is also bringing an AADAC consultant to give the student peer support group
some basic drug intervention training.

"These programs are necessary to teach the kids how to make informed
choices and to tell parents what to keep an eye out for," Sawatsky
explained.

Despite these and other proactive measures, students will from time to time
make an ill-informed decision to try drugs. When that happens, the school's
reactive response kicks in.

"The first time a kid shows up stoned or drunk it is an automatic three-day
suspension," said Sawatsky. "The parents are called in to take the student
home, and if it happens a second time, AADAC and other agencies would be
involved."

"We have a zero tolerance policy at Highwood."

When substance abuse does occur on the Highwood campus, it is mainly in
conjunction with dances and similar social functions. The reason, Sawatsky
believes, is that kids think these occasions are the most acceptable time
to use drugs and alcohol based on their perceptions of societal values.

Grade level does not appear to have any impact one way or another on
substance abuse at the school, added Sawatsky.

"If kids are into experimenting, age just doesn't matter."