DRUG USE EXAMINED

A policy on alcohol and drug use in Red Deer public schools moved a
step closer to completion on Wednesday.

Trustees voted to refer a proposed policy to school principals, staffs
and councils, then the co-ordinating committee for input.

Superintendent Don Falk, who was largely instrumental in drafting the
proposed policy, said recommendations from the various groups will
return to the board for an anticipated final reading sometime early in
2004.

Administration was instructed by the board to prepare the proposed
policy in September.

At that time, trustees asked administration to re-examine the
district's drug and alcohol policy to prohibit all forms of
advertising, including clothing. A similar policy on tobacco is being
developed.

Many trustees were alarmed in September by a 2002 AADAC survey on teen
drug and alcohol habits in Alberta schools.

Red Deer public students participated in the survey that was
administered to 3,400 Grade 7 to 12 students in 39 school
jurisdictions.

Results showed 56 per cent of students used alcohol at least once in
the previous 12 months. Cannabis use was at 27 per cent.

Tobacco use is already prohibited in Red Deer public schools and on
school property.

Falk said he didn't know if it was advisable to tell students not to
ever use alcohol or drugs.

"In our instructional programs we're instructing them for life, not
until they just hit 18," Falk said.

Trustee Bev Manning said the policy is a district policy and not one
that speaks to all of society.

Manning said alcohol and drug abuse causes "much more carnage" than
tobacco use.

Falk said when he instructs a student about tobacco use he's trying to
develop a lifetime behaviour pattern.

He said alcohol instruction shouldn't tell a student never to have a
drink in his life.

The proposed policy supports programs of instruction that increase
awareness of the risks and dangers associated with the misuse of
alcohol and drugs.

The instruction programs should also discourage the misuse of alcohol
and drugs.

The proposal also calls for prohibition of alcohol and drugs on
district property or district leased facilities, vehicles and at
district authorized student activities.

It also prohibits persons under the influence from being on district
property.

The proposal also calls for prohibition of all advertising that
encourages the use of alcohol or drugs including advertising on
clothing and gear.