KIDS NEED FUNDING, NOT PREACHING

Editor:

I had to shake my head at the front page article in the June 7 edition
of the Burnaby NOW about a 'new' curriculum to deal with the perils of
drug and alcohol abuse by teens (Clark to change curriculum).

Is substance abuse a new problem? No!

Are teenagers too stupid to know there are dangers involved in
drinking and taking drugs? No!

Having the right information about life- and health-threatening
activities has never eradicated their attractiveness.

Spending thousands, maybe hundreds of thousand, on this will be
'preaching to the choir.'

Instead of patronizing our teenagers with the obvious, the schools
might better spend the money in the areas that give students a reason
not to drink or get stoned, like community recreation trips, band, art
and sports equipment.

Schools simply do not have the money to do everything - parents need
to do the parenting.

Linda Smythe,

Burnaby