EDUCATORS HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO KEEP STUDENTS DRUG-FREE

In a school district already committed to encouraging students to
adopt healthy lifestyles, Grande Prairie Public school board chairman
John Lehners says educators have an "obligation" to help students
remain drug-free.

As illegal drug activities and addictions continue to rise in
communities across the country, the school board is hoping to urge the
provincial government to take steps to keep kids on the right path.

"This is one of the hot button topics for the government. For us, our
role is not just teaching curriculum. It's about dealing with the
issues and living healthy," said Lehners following Tuesday's regular
public school board meeting.

"We can't have our heads in the sand. Although we don't feel we have a
rampant problem in our schools, we understand that illegal drugs are
part of the culture. Our problem isn't any worse than anywhere else,
but it's obviously an issue. There's no use teaching social studies
and math if we can't help teach kids healthy lifestyles."

In sending a letter to Education Minister Gene Zwozdesky, Lehners not
only offered the board's full support to initiatives designed to keep
drugs out of schools, he offered several suggestions for changes at
the local level.

For example, while Grades 5 and 6 classes are invited to participate
in the RCMP's drug awareness program DARE, Lehners suggests education
should start earlier and continue beyond the elementary ages.

"We should start at Grade 4 and carry on from there," he said. "You
need to have vigilance through Grade 12. That would require some
funding and room in the curriculum, but hopefully the government would
be a part of that initiative."

In another proposal, the board has recommended that a police presence
in schools would help students stay on a clean path. With a full-time
RCMP liaison officer on site for every 1,200 students, students would
have access to someone who could educate, enforce and discuss the
dangers of drug use and other illegal activities.

"That's something we have talked about before. We think that officer
could play a really effective role and students could learn the perils
of ill-living," Lehners said.

"We're suggesting the government could provide funding for an officer
to liaise with every 1,200 students. That would be money well invested."

While all of the board's suggestions are long-term visions, Lehners
said it's important to get them in writing and in front of the
government now.

"Our job is to protect and enhance the future of our children. We
wanted to provide some positive feedback and support the provincial
government in their actions to alleviate this (drug) problem," he said.

"These are just some suggestions and they may not become a reality,
but we need to show our students the alternatives (to drugs). If no
one brings ideas up, they don't turn to fruition."