FENDING OFF SCHOOL VIOLENCE, DRUGS

Police, probation officers and school administrators have joined
forces to develop a proactive approach to violence and drug use in
Pictou County's three high schools.

A committee comprising representatives from all three parties has been
meeting monthly since January. The members are looking at both
short-term and long-term measures to create a safer and more secure
learning environment.

Violence and drugs exist in our society, "and if it's in our society,
it's in our schools," said Preston Lockhart, principal of
Northumberland Regional High School in Alma.

He said the tragic incidents that have occurred in recent years in
Columbine, Colo., Taber, Alta. and other North American schools show
that underlying issues such as bullying and harrassment, if left
unchecked, can lead to bigger problems.

New Glasgow probation officer Frank MacArthur organized the first
meeting after school principals and police voiced concerns about drug
use and violence on school property.

"The three (groups) realized that there was a need," he
said.

The committee includes the principals of Pictou Academy,
Northumberland Regional High School and North Nova Education Centre,
representatives from three police agencies and three probation officers.

MacArthur said as far as the two new high schools are concerned, some
of the problem might stem from combining populations of students from
different communities and backgrounds, where there might have been
some perceived rivalries. Adding to this is the fact that many youths
have the misconception that they can do whatever they want and never
get sent to jail under the new Youth Criminal Justice Act, he said.

Eileen English, principal of North Nova Education Centre in Parkdale,
said one would expect there to be more incidents at the new high
schools because the student populations are much higher. English said
the percentage of students getting causing problems with drug use or
violence is no higher at North Nova than it was at the former, small
high schools.

"Ninety-five per cent of our students at North Nova aren't causing any
problems and are doing wonderful things," she said.

One thing the committee has already done is organize drug awareness
education sessions for teachers to show them how to recognize illegal
drugs, what their legal rights are when dealing with students and the
kinds of unusual behaviour that might indicate a drug problem.

"Some of them had no idea as to the types of drugs that are out there
now," said English.

Another step has been increasing police presence at the schools, but
not only in the form of patrols. Lockhart said officers are being
encouraged to drop in and even use the school's fitness equipment. He
said they want students to seeing the police at the school for other
reasons than something being wrong.

The committee is also looking at establishing Crimestoppers hotlines
for the schools, where students and the public can feel comfortable
reporting any suspicious or illegal activity that they notice. The
community at large also has a role to play in addressing the problems,
noted MacArthur, by passing along information and positively
supporting the schools and police.

"It's great to say that there's problems at the school but if you're
not willing to assist or help out, then you're part of the problem,"
he said.

Increasing co-operation among the agencies involved and establishing a
faster means of sharing information are also among the committee's
priorities. Cpl. Brian Richardson of Pictou County RCMP said it's
building a stronger relationship among the partners.

Sgt. Eric MacNeil of New Glasgow Police Service agrees.

"It opens up a line of communications," he said. "Knowing that we have
the support of each other in dealing with the problem you know the
saying, two heads are better than one."

When it comes to combatting drugs and violence, "no one agency can do
it alone," said English. "Anytime you get a group of individuals with
a common goal working together for the benefit of the students, you
can't help but make a difference," she said.

Effects of the co-operation can already be seen, even though the
committee is still in its early stages, said MacArthur. He said one
example is the smooth process by which two youths were arrested and
charged with drug offences following a recent incident outside of North Nova.

English said it would be nice to eventually reach a point where the
committee is no longer needed.

"But that would be naive," she added.