STUDENT DRUG USE INCREASE IN SCHOOLS QUESTIONED

School trustees are hoping they will hear early next year hard evidence of
the extent of drug use by students in the Central Okanagan.

That's when Okanagan University College professor Marvin Kranke will address
the Central Okanagan Parents' Advisory Council about the results of his
three-year study into risky behaviour by adolescents in local schools.

The longitudinal study surveyed Grades 7 to 9 students about drug and
alcohol use amongst other things and is considered the most current
information.

School board chairwoman Moyra Baxter hopes that Kranke's research will
counter the recent notion that drug use has increased in the school district
by 400 per cent since the 1996-1997 school year.

"It's our understanding that it hasn't increased to that extent," said
Baxter.

That figure was put forth at the recent mayor's forum on harm reduction and
community safety as an indicator of an increase in drug use throughout the
Central Okanagan.

Statistics show an increase in the number of suspensions for drug possession
or use have increased from 50 to 277.

But Baxter said the increase in the number of suspensions doesn't
necessarily correlate to an epidemic of drug use."You can't compare them.
Maybe students are more aware and are reporting it.

"There's also the Drug Free Zone program which may have increased
suspensions. Maybe we're just catching more of them. Principals are also
different from each other in how they judge things and what they do about
it."At the same time, the Peachland trustee said trustees are well aware
there is drug use in local schools.

"We'd be really naive if we said we don't have a problem in schools," said
Baxter.

"The whole of society has a problem and we're a part of society."

Trustees Wednesday approved a motion by Gail Scanlan asking superintendent
of schools Ron Rubadeau to report back with details of current drug
awareness and prevention programs.

"I want a review of the programs we have in place, their effectiveness and
if we need to enhance their effectiveness," said Scanlan.

Baxter said she personally feels that prevention education should begin as
soon as kids start school. "I do think we need to be talking about this at
an earlier age," she said.

Rubadeau is to report back to the board in January.