DON'T PAINT TEENS WITH WRONG BRUSH

Two news stories last week offered opposing views of teenagers. One story
focused on a rising drug problem within the Kamloops-Thompson school
district. The other looked at teens who want to improve the world.

Focus your attention on the positive stories about teenagers because they
are the ones that more accurately reflect today's youth. While teenagers
may be using drugs, many are simply flirting with the experience. That's
unfortunate and efforts should be made to convince them to leave
mind-altering substances alone. However, it doesn't mean they are going to
turn in to hardened criminals.

School trustees were told that drug-related suspensions in area schools
have tripled in the last five years. Chairman Kim Van Tine suggested it may
be time to bring drug-sniffing dogs into the schools and start performing
locker searches.

It's important not to overreact to statistics that don't delve into the
details, such as the kinds of drugs students are using and whether school
officials are noticing increased addictions or criminal acts occurring as a
result of drug use.

The public should not accept the impression that students are a lost cause
and only looking for a party instead of an education. It's more beneficial
and factual to look at the students who are bringing pride to their schools
through academic, sporting and leadership achievements.

The story from Westsyde school was far more accurate of what teenagers
today represent. Young people are interested in improving the world for
themselves and other people. That's why Westsyde student Joelle Risi
convinced Leaders Today to come to her school.

The theme was Embracing Cultures Project and three members of Leaders Today
spoke to Westsyde students about their experiences with international
strife and how individuals can make a difference.

Then 25 students, members of the Kamloops Youth Advisory Council and
leadership classes, spent the rest of the day in workshops with the group's
leaders, looking for ways to do their part.

This is what teenagers today are all about. The majority have a social
conscience. They want the world to be a better place. They are not drug
abusers who need dogs sent in to ferret out crime inside the school walls.

Our teenagers are good people and we need to appreciate them as the world
leaders they are going to be. Adults are too quick to judge teenagers based
on how they look rather than spending some time to find out how they think.

A group of teenagers in a park is not something to be feared. Usually they
just want to be together to have fun. They would be as ready as the next
person to help out someone in an emergency.

We can't ignore the drug problem in our schools, but neither can we allow
it to colour the way we see all teenagers. Good teenagers should not be
hurt by overzealous actions of people who misunderstand their culture.