DRUG PROGRAM TARGETS ADOLESCENTS

Middle years students will receive counseling on how to say no to drugs
when it really counts thanks to a pilot project through Addictions
Foundation of Manitoba and Portage la Prairie School Division.

The division's drug awareness project, started last September, promises
that by the end of this school year, every Grade 7 and 8 student in Portage
and Oakville will have gone through an extensive drug and alcohol
prevention program.

The idea for the project came from the results of a survey conducted by the
Rural and Northern Youth Intervention Strategy that studied drug and
alcohol use in communities such as Portage.

"We looked at the stats and they're telling us that many of our kids are
experiencing this kind of thing around the age of 12 and a half," said
Barry Rud, a youth counsellor with AFM who will be spearheading the project.

He added the studies showed if children are going to experiment with drugs
and alcohol, they will likely start at an early age.

The program for Grade 7 students includes a six-session presentation where
Rud speaks to classes while conducting interactive activities to teach
children drug information and prevention strategies. For Grade 8 students,
information is provided about marijuana and its long-term effects.

There is also one-on-one counseling offered to students who are at risk of
substance abuse or who are dealing with someone affected by drugs or alcohol.

"I go back again and again so the kids get to know who I am, feel
comfortable approaching me," said Rud, who also works with students at the
high school level.

All schools that teach junior high grades in the Portage division are
hosting the program including Ecole Prince Charles, Yellowquill,
Crescentview, La Verendrye and Oakville schools.

Rud said the programs are spread throughout the year amongst the various
schools so he is able to keep in touch with students and teachers.

"We want to provide all students in the division with a consistent base,"
he said.

Ron Goodale, principal of Ecole Prince Charles School, said the program is
an excellent initiative and students seem to be learning something from it.

"Barry is friendly, easy to talk to. The kids are comfortable around him
and he's very comfortable around them," he said.

This is the first year a program of this nature has taken place in the
division.

Rud said the program is being run this year on a pilot basis and continued
funding through both the AFM and the Portage division will depend on its
success.

"We're hopeful that we'll be able to find the resources. We'll see what
goes on," said Rud.

This year's sessions and counseling should be completed in all the schools
by April or May.