STUDENT ENCOURAGES PEERS TO SAY 'NO' TO DRUGS

Editor's note: This is the eighth in a series of stories highlighting
the achievements of local young people. If you wish to nominate a
student to be profiled from any local school, contact Angela
Chiasson-Fox at KLDCS, 567-4981.

Devin Aitchison understands the effect of drugs, he understands
they're an issue among kids his age and he understands the importance
of saying no. Now he's on a mission to make his peers understand, too.

The Grade 7 Ecole Catholique Jean-Vanier student has brought attention
to the issue of drug use to his fellow students. With the help of
school nurse Michele Murdy, Aitchison has established a bulletin board
focusing on various drugs and students' opinions about drugs and those
who use them.

"We discussed making use of this board and putting on some relative
health topics for the students," Murdy said. "Drugs are a common issue
in all walks of life and all ages so we decided to hit the nail right
on the head."

To create the board display, Aitchison went out into the school armed
with a notepad and a camera to interview students about their personal
thoughts about drugs.

"We only asked two questions to keep an even keel and try not to
offend anybody," Murdy said.

"It's very visual and a little bit explicit," she said of the board.
Aitchison was approached by Murdy to help create the board and had the
choice to focus on summer safety or drugs.

"I think drugs are more of a problem in our world then summer safety,"
he said, explaining why he thought it was such a pertinent issue to
bring attention to. "The earlier you know how bad drugs are the better
it is."

He hopes the board will be affective in getting the message across in
his school and admitted that he regularly sees students hovering
around the board reading the information and comments.

"I'm trying to prevent drug use," he said. "It's a big problem that
should be fixed before it gets any bigger."

In response to his own questions, Aitchison explained his personal
view on the issue he was highlighting.

"I think drugs are a stupid waste of money," he said. "I think people
who use them use them as an excuse to hide or cover up. Maybe they're
mad or embarrassed or they think they look cool."

Murdy emphasized that by using this board to tackle a tough issue,
they are not trying to condone those who do use drugs, they are only
trying to help.

"We want them to know there is a window of help within the school,"
she said. "It gets the kids help immediately."

And so far the response has been positive and students willingly
offered their personal thoughts.

"One student said that she doesn't judge those that use drugs, they
just made a poor choice," Murdy said.

Murdy and Aitchison have plans to continue using the board throughout
next year to convey important messages to the students of ECJV. For
now, Aitchison will continue to spread his understanding. "Don't do
drugs," he said. "That's the message pure and simple."