NEW STRATEGY FIGHTS DRUGS

A new educational strategy for drug awareness is being developed at
Langley School District.

The dangers of drug abuse may soon be front and centre in Langley
classrooms.

An education strategy to create student awareness of drugs and drug
abuse will be developed by Langley School District, local trustees
decided unanimously on Tuesday.

The first report on the strategy will come to the board this
November.

"The more we can do to help our students and families, the better,"
said Trustee Joan Bech.

There are already a number of programs being used in local schools to
teach students, trustees learned.

Substance abuse prevention is addressed through curriculum goals, a
staff report said.

Programs such as the TCO Squared Group and DARE- Drug Abuse Resistance
Education are used in elementary schools throughout the district.

In high school, drug abuse is addressed in students Career and
Personal Planning curriculum, and RCMP liaison officers are often used
to develop and deliver programs.

The strategy being considered will expand on those offerings and will
also include: support for teachers to develop an awareness of current
issues and strategies to deal the students involved with substance
abuse; researching new ways to communicate drug intervention
strategies; and including parent Advisory Committees to help promote
and encourage drug awareness programs.

"The news about drug awareness and the problems youth face _ is
becoming more and more an issue," said Tr. Alison McVeigh.

McVeigh expressed particular concern over the use of methamphetamine,
or crystal meth: "It's a real, real concern for me."

Tr. Diane Pona stressed the need for parent involvement.

"The parents [are] always the last people to know if their kids were
into something," she said. "We're doing what we should do, but its
still a community responsibility."

The use of alcohol, marijuana and other drugs among youth aged 12 to
24 is increasing in Langley and in other communities, according to a
November, 2002 youth drug use survey conducted and published by
Pacific Community Resources (formerly Nisha Family and Children's
Services Society).

Alcohol remained the top drug of choice for youths, followed by
marijuana, ecstasy, cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin.

Langley Family Services director of addiction services Christine
Palmer was pleased with the School Board's decision.

"Any way we can work together is beneficial," she said.

Parents who are concerned their children may be abusing drugs should
look for any change in routine, Palmer said. Warning bells should go
off if they are less interested in things they love to do, change
their friends, their hygiene habits, begin to isolate themselves, or
experience mood swings.

Most importantly, Palmer said, parents have to keep the lines of
communication open with their children.