A PLAN TO DRUG PROOF YOUR KIDS

Parents Want Their Children To Stay Away From Drugs, But That Can Be Easier
Hoped For Than Done.

Morden Times -- Parents want their children to stay away from drugs, but
that can be easier hoped for than done. Western School Division and the
Morden police are teaming up to help arm parents with the skills and
knowledge they will need to try to make that happen.

They are offering a program called How To Drug Proof Your Kids which is
aimed at not only intervention but prevention as well.

"We're really hoping to train parents to be more proactive rather than
reactive," said Anita Hiebert, who will be one of the facilitators of the
program that will be offered over six Monday evenings starting May 2.

The program was developed in response to the recognition that drugs are a
problem in the community and use of the harder, more dangerous drugs is
increasing.

How To Drug Proof Your Kids is an award-winning program that focuses on
prevention and early intervention.

Hiebert said the program offers some eye-opening statistics as well as
counselling referral services and access to two trained facilitators and a
library of resource material.

It's aim is to give parents the confidence to be able to identify
potentially harmful activities and the skills to reduce the chances of
their children becoming involved in drugs.

The topics range from strategies for intervention and prevention to
identifying drug use and educating parents on the varieties of drugs.

Hiebert said the program does cover strategies for intervention when there
is a problem, but there is also a plenty of attention paid to prevention.
On that note, they are targeting the program at parents of early and middle
years students.

"A lot of this is (about) really getting to know your child," said Hiebert.

"We want to help show parents how to survive all of this. And we really
want this to become a community effort."

There is a parent information evening next Wed., April 6 at 7:30 p.m. in
the multi-purpose room of Maple Leaf School to find out more about the
program. Anyone wanting to register for the program should contact Hiebert
at 822-8085. Space will be limited.