EDUCATION FOR DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION

EHS Participates In Drug Awareness Week

Every year Espanola High School holds drug awareness programs for drug
awareness week. The idea is to get the message out about the effects
that drugs have on people.

"With the concentration of activities we can't set just one week
aside," Dave Pope, guidance councilor at Espanola High School, said.

Pope sees this as a yearlong program intergrading drug awareness with
other aspects of the school curriculum. There are several classes
where drug awareness has always been taught, Pope explained. Phys Ed
health unit has always had drug awareness programs as part of the
class and now family studies is teaching students what it would be
like to raise a drug dependant child with a program called "baby think
it over." It is a parenting program with computerized dolls but one of
the dolls is a drug dependant baby.

"The students get to learn and see the affects of having a baby with
an addiction to cocaine and see the challenges some parents face,"
Pope said.

This year the focus for drug awareness week is on drinking and driving
with students walking around the school in silence, wearing T-shirts
explaining that they are another statistic and that the another person
is a victim of drunk driving every twenty-two minutes in North America.

Ronda Vance, Public Health Nurse has been at Espanola High School
offering support and has been responsible for the information that is
being provided around the school. Vance provides information to any
student who wants to learn more about drugs.

The principal must approve all information regarding drugs before it
can be displayed in the school.

"Usually any information from any reputable agency is safe to use,"
Vance said.

There are minor counseling jobs done in the guidance centre and then
only if the student wants help, Pope explained. The programs have
their ups and downs when it comes to student attendance.

Vance also mentioned that she has all sort of drug information
available to students. She also has a large collection of help lines
for students who feel they need to know more information on any given
topic.

He feels that the school is there to educate students about the use of
drugs and the effects that it can have, but he is also there to help
parents with questions and has discussions about the proper way to
talk to their children about drug use.

The purpose of the drug awareness week is to make people aware of what
is out there, Vance explained.

Vance finds that the school is very open and helpful in promoting the
material. Along with keeping the students informed about drugs, Vance
also supports a quit and win program for teen smokers as well as a
sexual health clinic on Wednesdays at the high school.