TOP COP BLAMES FEDS

One of Red Deer's top cops blames pending federal drug legislation for the
increase in dope smoking among grade school kids.

"Where the legislation is headed is not a great example," said RCMP Insp.
Peter Calvert. "What kind of message is that sending kids? That legalizing
drugs makes it OK?"

Recently 17 Central Alberta students have been suspended from their schools
for using marijuana.

On Dec. 12, 12 Grade 8 students from West Park Middle School were suspended
for the use and possession of marijuana near school grounds.

"We had some concerned students come to us and let us know what was going
on," said Mona Knudslien-Stock, principal of West Park Middle school. "It's
good that the students were able to come forward to us."

Knudslien-Stock said students were co-operative and honest when asked if
they were involved.

The 12 students all face a mandatory five-day school suspension, as well as
a counselling session at AADAC.

Earlier this week, five students from Lacombe Composite High School were
also given a five-day suspension when a student was caught with marijuana.

"We are very proactive in dealing with this kind of situation," said Jayson
Lovell, principal of Lacombe Composite High School. "We provide a very
vigilant and safe learning environment for our students."

Programs such as AADAC are present at the school to educate students about
the dangers of drugs.

Const. Rick Kohut, of the Lacombe Police Service, also attends the school
if students have any questions or concerns.

Kohut said, "drugs aren't a huge problem here, we are very lucky."

Don Dolan, superintendent of the Red Deer Catholic School Board, said there
has been students suspended from catholic schools this year for drug use
but would not disclose any details.

"We deal with the students directly and don't tolerate that kind of
behaviour at all," Dolan said.

Don Falk, superintendent of the Red Deer Public School Board, declined to
comment further on the issue.

Meanwhile Calvert commended the schools for continually educating students
about the dangers of drug use.

"Parents also need to make sure they educate their children. They need to
tell their children that the use of this material (drugs) is not a positive
lifestyle," he said.

A study commissioned by Health Canada last fall states about 85,000
Canadian teens smoke marijuana daily.

The federal study of 12-19-year-olds found 34 per cent said they tried
marijuana on more than one occasion.

The number of teens smoking marijuana has increased from 13 per cent in
1993 to almost 30 per cent in 1999, and to 34 per cent in 2003.