DRUG REVIEW FOCUSES ON PREVENTION

A review of the Richmond School District's strategy for addiction awareness
and prevention turned up little cause for concern for school trustees
Monday.

A report from curriculum co-ordinator Rob Inrig concluded the district
simply needs to "reinforce principles" of its approach to tackling substance
abuse.

Trustees recommended no changes and asked for another update in two years.

Inrig highlighted the district's prevention programs, including its focus on
social responsibility.

"Often times what's happened historically is social skills are seen as soft
curricula. So therefore a lot of attention is given to chemistry, biology,
math and English because we can identify and measure real quickly.

"Over the last while there's been a strong emphasis of the need to build
that social resilience type of strength," he said. "It is a huge determiner
in success."

Prevention is key in the approach to city's substance abuse task force
strategy, a group which the school district participates with.