DRUG PROGRAMS REASSURE TRUSTEE

School trustees will receive a report tonight outlining drug
prevention programs available to students in the Central Okanagan
school district.

Compiled by superintendent of schools Ron Rubadeau, the list
identifies eight different programs he considers to be drug prevention
programs.

The include:

. DARE program targeted at Grades 5 and 6 students. Rubadeau describes
the program as a collaborative effort between DARE-certified law
enforcement officers, educators, students and parents to prevent drug
abuse and violence among children and youth. The program is
classroom-based consisting of 17 lessons over 10 weeks and is offered
in 10 elementary schools.

. Lions Quest aimed at Grades 4 to 9 with an anti-drug, -tobacco and
- -alcohol message. Teachers and principals and certified educational
assistants are trained to offer the course which is sponsored by the
Central Okanagan Life Skills Educational Society and local Lion and
Lioness Clubs. Rubadeau said the Central Okanagan school district is
considered a provincial leader in conducting the course which is
offered at 20 elementary and three middle schools.

. Life Savers, a locally developed program aimed at middle and high
school students, utilizes students as peer counsellors. Trained by
mental health staff, the students work with others to recognize early
warning signs of suicide.

. Second Step, a kindergarten to Grade 5 program, attempts to reduce
impulsive and aggressive behaviour and increase student social skills.
Teachers are trained to offer the program which is offered at 12 schools.

Rubadeau also lists the Youth at Risk adolescent behaviour study, four
mental health clinicians and the restorative justice program at two
middle schools as prevention programs.

School trustee Gail Scanlan, who requested the report in December
after attending the Mayor's Task Force on Community Safety and Harm
Reduction, said she's satisfied there are a lot of resources dedicated
to the issue.

"Compared to some other districts, I think we're not doing too bad,"
Scanlan said.

"As far as what more can you do, we really don't cover the younger
students," she said. "That's may be something that can be looked into."

As for the effectiveness of the programs, Scanlan said that's
information that might be harder to find.

"I don't know how you measure the effectiveness of the programs," she
said.

"With all these programs, hopefully it guides the children along the
right path."

The drug prevention report will be discussed at tonight's board
meeting scheduled for 6 p.m at the school board office at 1940 Haynes
Road.