NOW THE FUN BEGINS

Minister of Education Christy Clark is making drug and alcohol training a
mandatory part of the high school curriculum for B.C.'s Grade 10 students.
If they flunk the course, they don't graduate. The move was motivated, in
part, by a number of recent and highly publicized car accidents involving
teens. (Those same accidents have stirred Solicitor General Rich Coleman to
toughen restrictions on new drivers.)

The loss of young lives is unquestionably tragic and heartbreaking, but any
thinking person has to wonder if the new government measures are the answer.
Drug and alcohol education at any age can't hurt, but we agree with
Coquitlam RCMP Cpl. Tom James that Grade 10 is too late for some kids. James
points out that many children have their first experience with drugs as
early as 11, and that some "young entrepreneurs" are distributing drugs in
middle schools.

A realistic message has to be delivered every year, taking into account the
changing age and sophistication of students.