WEST VAN STUDENTS TO BE ASKED ABOUT SEX, DRUGS

School board votes to include local schools in a province-wide survey of
adolescent health.

West Vancouver students will have a chance to participate in a survey of
adolescent health that has stirred controversy because it includes
questions about sex, drugs and alcohol.

With little debate, school trustees voted this week to include West
Vancouver schools in a province-wide survey by the non-profit McCreary
Centre Society of Burnaby.

Last month, North Vancouver trustees said their schools wouldn't
participate, partly because of concerns that the questions might give
students ideas.

But Lara Percy, a member of the West Vancouver student advisory committee,
noted the survey looks at overall mental and physical health and she said
students want to participate.

Saying teenagers are already bombarded with messages about sex, drugs and
alcohol, Percy added: ``That survey couldn't possibly place any new ideas
into our minds.''

Trustee Erica Bell-Lowther said gathering data about attitudes and
behaviors will help the district assess needs.

But Kathleen Glynn-Morris, chairwoman of the parents' advisory council,
told trustees to expect a flood of messages on their voicemail because
parents are divided on the issue.

Aileen Murphy, McCreary's project coordinator, said 23 of 59 school
districts support the survey and 26 are still considering it. In 1992, when
a similar survey was conducted, 48 of 75 districts participated.

The survey asks a broad range of questions, such as: How close do you feel
to your mother/father? What do you think of your body? How often do you
vomit on purpose after eating? Have you attempted suicide? Have you carried
a weapon? How many times have you gambled?

Students can elect not to participate in the survey.