DRUG PREVENTION PROGRAM STARTS

Access for All program was a success in four local elementary
schools

A pilot program aimed at preventing drug and alcohol abuse will likely
become part of the district's prevention program, thanks to its
positive pilot run at four local elementary schools.

The youth and community services committee recently heard that the
program, Access for All, which began in October and was completed in
February, was well-received by teachers and students taking part in
the program.

District youth prevention program worker Angela Elliot told the
committee that the goals of the program are four-fold:

- - to reach students in grades 4 through 7 with effective substance
abuse prevention education programs, using the 'Making Decisions'
curriculum resource and materials;

- - to equip parents in their role as preventors;

- - to increase awareness and understanding of effective substance abuse
prevention and related issues among schools, parents and the
community, and;

- - to help schools develop a school-wide prevention
plan.

The pilot got a kickstart last fall with a workshop for teachers; in
February, those teachers were debriefed to evaluate what had been
learned and how the program had had been received.

Staff report that both teachers and students were pleased with the
pilot, though teachers did indicate that the time needed to prepare,
plan and implement the lessons in the classroom was a big challenge.

As well, it was suggested that finding ways to integrate the program
into other curriculum areas or expanding the program over the full
school year, might be options to consider.

It's hoped that the Access for All program will become part of the
substance abuse framework under the district's social responsibility
goals and initiatives.