TEENS HELP TEENS DEAL WITH DRUGS

Seventeen-year-old Shelby Schindler is concerned about rampant drug
and alcohol abuse amongst her peers and perceived apathy regarding the problem.

So, when offered an opportunity to do something proactive about the
issues, she was immediately high on the idea.

Schindler, together with nine other Grade 12 students from St. Thomas
Aquinas Catholic High School, joined MODA (Misuse of Drugs and
Alcohol), a peer-based education and support group within the school,
after administration approached students to determine whether there
was interest in developing such a program.

Problem "You can't go anywhere without seeing how huge (the problem)
is," acknowledges Schindler, who decided to get involved after
witnessing the effects drugs and alcohol had on some of her closest
friends. "I've seen what happened to my friends and their families.
"It may seem all fun and games now, but once your liver fails and
your brain no longer works properly, you will wish you had known this
would eventually happen before you tried anything. MODA offered me
the chance to educate students in advance."

Initiatives

Under the supervision of assistant principal Duane Hagen and the
school's guidance team, the group met weekly throughout the school
year to develop youth drug prevention and education strategies and to
plan activities for students.

These initiatives included distribution of parent/teen help cards,
organizing special events, and inviting relevant guest speakers.

Representatives from the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission
(AADAC) visited the school periodically for open mic sessions, where
students were encouraged to ask questions.

MODA was nominated for the 2007 Youth Group Award, presented to a
youth group that engaged in acts of charity by giving their time and
talents to better the community, at this year's Leaders of Tomorrow
Awards, sponsored by Servus Credit Union Spruce Grove - Stony Plain
Community Council.

MODA deviates from the standard youth drug prevention and education
programs in that it is peer-based, emphasizing leadership and
education by students for students.

Hagen concedes that typical consequences, such as dishing out
suspensions, are ineffective and usually detached from the issues.
School administration was determined to find a more effective and
proactive way to address alcohol and drug abuse issues among students.

Perspective

"Group members felt, and we agreed, that reaching out to their own
peers was more productive than having staff lecture them," he said,
adding members of MODA do not preach to students, but rather offer
information about the consequences of alcohol and drug abuse and how
to make healthy choices.

"Generally, youth know what works with youth better than most adults do."

Schindler, who graduated in May, agrees MODA has a greater impact
than standard programs.

"If an adult comes into school and just yaps about his or her
experiences, as teens, we just roll our eyes," she said. "Events
organized by youth are effective because we relate. We know what's
going on, what works and what kids listen to."

Context

MODA is a part of the Tri-Municipal Drug Strategy Team (DST), a group
consisting of representatives from AADAC, Parenting for the Future,
Stony Plain and Spruce Grove Family and Community Support Services
(FCSS), the RCMP, community social service agencies and local
churches and schools.

The DST, whose mission is to inspire the community to take action
against drug abuse at the grassroots level, meets monthly to identify
problems and develop education and support strategies.

Each month, two students from MODA present a report to the DST panel,
updating the team about the group's initiatives and offering
information about youth drug and alcohol abuse issues.

"These updates are invaluable," said DST chair Lorna Wolodka, adding
the reports will be used to develop this year's youth drug prevention
strategy. "The DST should not just be adults sitting around figuring
out what's best for kids. We need youth participation and their
perspectives, and we depend on their input and feedback."

Extent

A community survey conducted by the DST last October revealed youth
drug and alcohol abuse is a major problem in the tri-municipal area.
More than half of the responses came from students, 84 per cent of
whom said they believe there are major drug issues within their
schools and communities. Wolodka said MODA has its finger on the
pulse of its school. She hopes similar programs will be developed in
all schools.

"What this group has accomplished in its first year is phenomenal,"
she said. "Based on the successes of the MODA group, we want to see
more youth involved and hope the program continues next year."

St. Thomas Aquinas plans to expand the program next year, thanks to a
$3,000 grant from AADAC.

"We hope students entering Grade 12 are eager to continue where this
group left off," Hagen said. For Schindler, the program is about
supporting teens.

"Basically, kids need to know someone who understands is beside them.
It's not about preaching; it's explaining exactly what it is they're
doing to their bodies and how it hurts everyone around them. We
shouldn't abuse our bodies at such a young age. Our whole lives are
ahead of us."