SCHOOL DISTRICT SHIFTING STANCE ON DRUGS

Putting prevention before suspension is the focus of a new Vernon
School District drug policy.

The concept of substance abuse is treatable and its problem in
schools cannot be solved solely by suspending those students
involved, says the draft policy, given its first reading by school
trustees at Tuesday night's board meeting.

District substance abuse counsellor Doug Rogers, - who wrote the
policy with director of student support services Bev Gess - said the
"three pillars" approach updates a district-wide procedure by putting
kids first.

"It was more about the enforcement of the rules than it was about
helping change the person," Rogers said in regards to the district's
code of conduct.

"We needed to reinforce it so that 'if it was my child, what would I do?'"

The new substance abuse policy outlines prevention, intervention and
enforcement as the keys to helping youth.

"Kids are people and they make choices on what the right thing is to
do based on their education," said Rogers.

The district has previously aired student-created radio
advertisements and Rogers holds 60 to 70 drug education presentations
every school year including "Parent to Parent" network nights once a
month. And although those initiatives will continue, Rogers wants
more drug education integrated directly into the school curriculum.

Gess said where the added lessons will occur and who will teach them
is being discussed, but that both elementary and secondary student
education will be stepped up.

"One of the things we want to look at is how do we integrate some of
the topics around drug education into the appropriate places in the
curriculum," she said, adding that the new policy delivers clarity to
students and parents regarding the district's stance on drug use.

Discipline guidelines outlined in the draft include student meetings
with a school administrator and parent as well as with the district
drug and alcohol counsellor after a first offence. Should a
suspension of up to five days occur, students must complete a drug
education package that includes a screening quiz as well as
essay-type questions.

Upon a second offence, students may be suspended and referred to
assistant superintendent Bev Rundell's office where appropriate
referrals may be made, including the Vernon Treatment Centre and
Interior Health addiction programs.

Students caught dealing or supplying drugs or alcohol will be
suspended and referred to Rundell's office for appropriate
consequences and educational placement. The school RCMP liaison
officer will also be consulted.

"All things will be determined case by case," Gess added. "That's
party of the whole due process, we need to look at each individual."

Both Gess and Rogers agree that the Vernon School District isn't
unlike any other in the province, substance abuse issues are present
- - but not rampant.

"This isn't in response to a growing problem, this is a response to
it's out there and it's part of society and we need to put in all of
those aspects to address it," said Gess.

School board vice-chairman Bill Turanski said he's encouraged by the policy.

"I? think it's very comprehensive, and what I really like about it is
that it gives you various options for the students," he said.

"One time, years ago, the only option seemed to be to suspend the
student. Now we're going far beyond that. We're trying to basically
deal with the problem and try to keep the student in school."

And chairman Len Anderson echoed that sentiment.

"I think it's important that everybody's on the same page."