MORE DRUG TALK URGED IN SCHOOLS

Kelowna Mayor Walter Gray wants local schools to inject more education
on the pitfalls of crystal meth

In a letter to Premier Gordon Campbell, Gray urged the Central
Okanagan school district and Interior Health to teach students and the
public more about the harmful effects of the drug

"It's readily available, cheap and can be made in anyone's kitchen. It
can be addictive even after the first use," Gray said Tuesday

"It's the most dangerous drug to come along because the uninitiated
and the young can be victims without even knowing what they're
taking." The district is well aware of the drug problem afflicting
some young people, said Assistant Supt. Juleen McElgunn. Elementary
and high schools offer several programs to steer students away from
the drug:

* DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) is a collaborative effort by
police, educators, students and parents in the classroom to prevent
drug abuse. It targets Grade 5 and 6 students with 17 lessons over 10
weeks. This year, all 55 Grade 6 classes in the district will take the
program, said Gray.

* School-Based Prevention Program, sponsored by the Ministry of
Health, serves most high schools. It provides lessons and resource
development on alcohol and drug issues.

* Lions Quest drug prevention program is aimed at Grades 4 to 9. It
discourages using drugs, tobacco and alcohol and is available in 20
elementary and three middle schools.

* Youth At Risk is an Okanagan University College study of risk-taking
behaviour. A total of 1,303 district students are being followed to
predict risky behaviours and to develop new and more effective
prevention programs and policies. The prime target is middle school
and high school students. Findings from the study will influence new
prevention programs.

* Four mental health staff are attached to middle schools. These
clinicians work with counsellors and students to prevent suicide and
depression. They also make referrals to psychiatry and alcohol and
drug clinicians.