SUSPENSION'S OUT, THERAPY'S IN

Students Caught Using Drugs or Alcohol Are Sent for Three Days Of
Addiction Counselling

Not long ago students caught using drugs in school got a sound
thrashing. More recently they were suspended. Now they receive
counselling.

Since last September, students have been required to attend three
half-day sessions at Richmond Addiction Services if they are found
using or possessing drugs or alcohol.

So far, 54 first-time offenders, with an average age of 15, have
attended the Constructive Alternative to Teen Suspension program.

Thirty-six were boys and 18 were girls, according to Rick Dubras,
youth and family program manager for RAS.

"It's marijuana and alcohol that they're getting caught for,
(although) there's been some admission of ecstasy, cocaine, heroin and
crack use," Dubras added.

So far, the program appears to be a success.

"Thus far, we're pleased with the service and pleased that we're able
to work with the community to, hopefully, put together something
beneficial," said Rob Inrig, school district administrator of
inter-agency relations.

The program is modeled after a similar one created by Terry Bulych in
West Vancouver.

"The statistics are that they have reduced re-offenders in West Van
and North Van," said Dubras, who is confident the same will happen
here.

The three days equip students with information about drugs and
alcohol, and the consequences of using them, as well as strategies to
make good decisions and say no.

"Rather than them automatically saying, 'You're out of school and come
back three days later, or five days or whatever,' they're really doing
some proactive work with them, helping them make better choices,
different choices and understand the implications of things," Inrig
said.

Dubras said the program has made a difference for participants.

"When we have had follow up sessions we've had young people say that
it was important that they could go to a place where they could be
open and honest. We've had people stop using, we've had people stop
using nicotine and we've had people reduce their use," Dubras said.

The students learn about the continuum of addiction from no use, to
experimental and recreational use, to using for effect, to habitual
use and eventual dependence.

"Addiction is defined with the three c's: lack of control, using
despite negative consequences and a compulsion to use," Dubras said.

"We want them to have a better understanding and ways to cope and make
better decisions and choices around drug and alcohol use."

The take-home message from the CATS program is that young people have
the right to refuse.

"It highlights the importance that they have free will and that they
have choice. If they are addicted they don't have a lot of choice,"
Dubras said.

School trustee Sandra Bourque said the school district is always
looking for more effective ways to deal with destructive behaviour.

"Our end desire is not punishment, but a change in behaviour," Bourque
said. "This kind of response to kids who are involved in drugs is
bound to be more successful."

Suspension is useful in some situations, Bourque said, such as when
safety is an issue or the incident is very serious. "You're never
going to totally eliminate suspension," Bourque said.

The CATS program is mandatory and open during school hours every day
of the school year.

Students begin the program immediately, usually the day following a
school offense, once parents are informed. Following the initial three
sessions, individuals are seen for up to three individual counselling
sessions.

"We want to be accessible to them after the program. The biggest thing
is we're trying to create relationship," Dubras said.