ANTI-DRUG PROGRAM TARGETS PARENTS

It may be organized by the Calvary Pentecostal Church, but it's not
religious-based.

It may have "kids" in the title, but the targets are parents.

It's not your typical anti-drug program but rather an information
session for parents and others involved with youth about drug
prevention and intervention.

"Drug Proof Your Kids" is a new program, explained co-organizer Craig
Cole, who with his youth pastor helped to put together. DPYK
originated in Australia and is now offered in some parts of Canada.

The RCMP isn't familiar with DPYK but is planning to have a drug
awareness representative at the seminar.

"They're willing to come down and present what they have in the way
of videos and paraphernalia to show parents," said Mr. Cole.

The May 17 initial session is an introduction to the program.

In addition to the RCMP representative, the other guest speaker will
be Glen Newman, a Focus on the Family representative for DPYK. Mr.
Newman travels through the Maritime provinces teaching the program.

"The outcome of this night is to let the parents see that there is
something there that can help them," said Mr. Cole. "I and another
one of my friends and whoever we can get involved can be trained to
present these programs to the parents in the near future.

The rest of the program will feature six weeks of seminars (one
two-hour session each week) for parents. They receive a book as part
of the sessions as well, which will also include hands-on experience
for the participants, talking, watching videos, and carrying out activities.

Essentially, the participants are being taught why youth may be
taking drugs and how to handle kids who may be involved with the
substances in question.

"You'd be surprised at the lack of knowledge of what's going in our
town," said Mr. Cole. "I spoke to some people lately and they never
had the sweetest idea that there are some very bad drugs here,
cocaine being one of them. There are many more since I was in high school.

"A lot of people are very naive. I'm not a parent myself, but I've
been on the streets many times in my younger years and I've seen
what's out there. I don't think parents really know what it's about
or how to handle it.

That's what this night is all about, is to create awareness."

Sergeant Harold Nippard agrees the central region is seeing more than
its share of illegal substances, more diverse than the stereotypical
soft drugs like marijuana.

"There's not only marijuana, but there's ecstasy, cocaine, even
heroin," he said.

While the idea for the program came from both Mr. Cole and youth
pastor Russell Austin, Mr. Cole stresses that it's non-denominational.

"It's not a religious program," added Pastor Austin. "We want to
extend a helping hand to the community and help to educate people."