GETTING THE FACTS STRAIGHT

An exciting initiative to find out the amount of alcohol, tobacco, and
marijuana use has taken place in our community, and the results are
something to be very proud of.

"Let's celebrate the positive, healthy things the children in our
population are doing," says Cheryl Connell, tobacco counsellor for Alberta
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC).

"Children have strengths and we want to recognize these strengths."

AADAC, in accordance with Northern Gateway Public and Living Waters
Catholic school districts have put on a campaign called Strength in
Numbers, which deals with the issues of alcohol, tobacco and marijuana in
children attending St. Joseph and Percy Baxter schools, in Grades 6, 7 and 8.

"We were given permission by both school boards to go ahead with this
campaign, and we worked directly with the two schools," says Connell.

Connell points out 72 parents and 581 students were surveyed for the
campaign, which dealt with individual issues and issues seen in peers.

"It's important to do more prevention work surrounding the differences in
alcohol, tobacco and marijuana," Connell states.

"The goal is to do this for the next five years, and add a grade on each
year so we can follow the stages."

The following statistics were determined from the campaign;

* 94 per cent of Whitecourt students in Grades 6, 7 and 8 don't smoke
cigarettes. * 97 per cent of Whitecourt students in Grades 6, 7 and 8 don't
smoke marijuana. * 59 per cent of Whitecourt students in Grades 6, 7 and 8
have never had more than a sip of alcohol. * 85 per cent of Whitecourt
students in Grades 6, 7 and 8 never drink alcohol when hanging out with
friends. * 89 per cent of Whitecourt students in Grades 6, 7 and 8 never
get drunk. * 73 per cent of Whitecourt students in Grades 6, 7 and 8 think
their parents are good role models. * 73 per cent of Whitecourt students in
Grades 6, 7 and 8 have curfews in their homes. * 83 per cent of Whitecourt
students in Grades 6, 7 and 8 have parents that show they love and care. *
88 per cent of Whitecourt students in Grades 6, 7 and 8 tell their parents
where they're going when they go out. * 71 per cent of Whitecourt students
in Grades 6, 7 and 8 think the most believable sources of information about
alcohol, tobacco and other drugs are their parents.

For more information, contact Connell at 778-7123.