PRE-TEENS TARGET OF DRUG PROGRAM

Evidence Shows Most Will Try Drugs While in Elementary School

Concern about drugs and alcohol in elementary schools has prompted
police and educators to take action.

Initiatives already underway include curriculum targeting Grade 6
students, a forum for parents, and review of policy and procedure
surrounding student drug use.

Slated for introduction district-wide this spring, the curriculum is a
one-hour overview on substance abuse and awareness, to be presented by
school liaison officers.

An initiative of South Surrey RCMP Const. Mike Elston, in conjunction
with Surrey School District manager of safe schools Teresa Campbell,
it is described as another tool in the war on drugs--one they hope
will nip drugs at an early age.

But it's far from a solution, they say.

"Is that enough? No. Is it a start? Definitely," Campbell said
Thursday.

"We're talking about it more so it seems like an opportune time to do
as much as we can."

While Campbell and Elston have no statistics to demonstrate increased
drug use amongst pre-teens, both agree the issue is coming into play
well before high school.

Research shows many experiment with drugs before age
12.

Statistics from Prevention Source B.C. (1997) show 77 per cent of
students try alcohol before they hit high school. Thirty-four per cent
try marijuana; 59 per cent, smoking; and, 15 per cent, LSD.

"And that's by Grade 8," Kevin Letourneau, program manager of
Addiction Services at Peace Arch Community Services, said.

The majority of youth through Addictions Services' doors are in Grades
8 to 10, he said, many driven to drugs by peer pressure and need for
acceptance in their new environment.

Letourneau said Addiction Services is considering expanding its
arsenal to include more prevention programs for younger audiences.
Elston, who became school liaison in September, said Thursday part of
the challenge is denial the problem exists.

"There's a perception in the south end that there is a lack of drug
use and abuse, and that is not the fact," he said.

"There's also a huge perception in schools that drugs and legalization
are on the way. A lot of kids think it's just coming."

Elston said complaints regarding substance use are on the rise from
both secondary and elementary schools.

While he hasn't been called to attend specific drug incidents at any
south-end elementaries, seizures from high school students are easily
a weekly occurrence.

Just from dropping in to two local high schools Tuesday and Wednesday,
Elston seized 12.5 grams of marijuana and six joints. However, "it is
far more regular to find students under the influence of drugs, but
not have drugs in their possession.

"The use is more of a concern in high school, but we can't just sit
back and say we're not going to worry about it until high school,
because it's too late."

Another disturbing trend for police is that of dealers migrating south
to target Peninsula children.

"It appears there are individuals who see a bit of an untapped market
and they're taking their business where there's less competition," he
said.

"There's a growing trend."

It's a likely topic at the upcoming parent education and awareness
forum.

Campbell said the forum--a joint effort of Mental Health, RCMP, youth
groups and the school district--will take place locally before Spring
Break. It will include tips on signs of substance abuse and how to
open lines of communication with children regarding drugs and alcohol.

Details are expected by month's end.

Campbell noted the issue substance use and abuse is not one that can
be solved by any one agency or group.

"It's a community problem, it's not a school problem," she said. "We
all have a role to play."