PREVENTION PROGRAM MAKING ITS MARK

After nearly a year in operation, an addictions prevention program at
Allan Watson High School has seen a drop in the numbers of students
using marijuana, hallucinogens, ecstasy and cocaine.

However, tobacco use has remained the same and those reporting
alcohol use has increased by five per cent.

"Some of the numbers have gone down and that's promising," said Derek
Resler, co-ordinator of the Teaming Up for Addiction Free Youth - The
Watson Project.

Resler made the comment at a recent public school board meeting as
part of an update on the three-year program.

The project's goal is to prevent addictions through education,
thereby giving students the tools to make good decisions about using
alcohol, tobacco or other illicit drugs. Research into adolescent
addiction has largely focused on risk factors but recent studies
point to a need to look at both risk factors and protective factors.
In addition, recent research has shown prevention efforts should
focus not only on the individual but also their family, peers, school
and the larger community.

Some of the activities during the past year include an art project
with an anti-substance use message, classes on substance use and
prevention for Grade 9 students and a "Kick the Nic" tobacco
cessation program. Resource materials on addictions and prevention
has been added to the school's library and some will be made
available online through the school's website. Teachers have received
training and mentoring has been well-received. In addition, a student
leadership team has been created.

"They've really been eager to get involved," Resler said.

They've held assemblies, planned and implemented a Student of the
Month and the Watson Recognition Awards Program, arranged for a local
paramedic to come in and talk to students and created an activity for
National Non-Smoking Week.

"Early this February we're going to start a program of
asset-building," Resler said.

The lessons will be delivered by teachers to inform students and
build a coaching model between teacher advisors and students.

"One of the biggest challenges is getting the involvement of
parents," Resler said.

Efforts to get parents to attend information sessions have met with
limited success although phoning parents directly has succeeded in
getting a number of parents to commit to attending a kids and drugs
presentation.

Students at Allan Watson and Outreach program students will attend a
special presentation by Alvin Powell, a former National Football
League player whose involvement in drugs and alcohol cost him his
career, on March 4.

The Watson Project has received a grant from Health Canada's Drug
Strategy and Community Initiatives Fund. A full-time addictions
educator and facilitator and a part-time co-ordinator/lead teacher
staff the program. The goal of the project is a 10 per cent reduction
in the use of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs. The most recent
survey data shows more than a 10 per cent decrease in marijuana use
and nearly a 10 per cent decrease in the use of hallucinogens at the school.

A series of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder awareness sessions for
female students will begin in February and a series of discussions
about kids and drugs will be offered to parents beginning in late January.