MARSHVIEW SCHOOL WORKS TO ADDRESS SUBSTANCE ABUSE

An ongoing police investigation into substance abuse at Marshview Middle
School has resulted in at least one student being charged, and has prompted
school and community officials to hold meetings to discuss what can be done
to lower the number of students using drugs and alcohol.

Sackville town police, without giving specifics, said there has been at
least one charge processed to date with others pending on approval from the
crown prosecutor.

Cpl. Robin MacDonald said the Sackville Police Force had been monitoring
the situation for a "considerable amount of time" with concerns of alcohol
and possible drug abuse at the school.

"During this period it was established that both had been used," he said,
"with the drugs being mainly marijuana."

MacDonald said the police will be continuing their investigation and that
in some cases the school has also taken action.

The police have also been in contact with a number of parents about their
children's involvement and MacDonald said he is pleased with most of the
reaction and input.

Around 10 students have been identified by the police as having at least
experimented with marijuana.

However, MacDonald said the problem is relative.

"There shouldn't be a panic here," he said, adding however "we are concerned."

Principal Diane Murray Barker said she knows there's a definite problem.

"I have found alcohol and drug paraphernalia on the school premises," she
said, adding alcohol has been consumed by students during lunchtime and recess.

And although she doesn't think the problem is worse than most schools would
encounter, she said the school is dealing with the matter seriously and
promptly.

"Just because something is a common practice doesn't mean it should be
tolerated," she said.

A meeting, which ran almost three hours, was held at the school May 22 to
discuss the problem with parents and come up with some positive steps to
finding a solution. Approximately 50 people attended the meeting.

A letter written to Marshview parents after the meeting said the community
and school must work together to find a solution.

"Aware that many of the problem students 'hang out' in certain areas, we
must admit what is happening at those locations and find strategies to
prevent the anti-social aspects of these gatherings," the letter reads. "We
must convince students that substance abuse is not 'cool'."

The letter also states the school needs more communication with the
families of its students and will increase the use of newsletters, phone
calls, meetings and personal interviews.

The school will also expand its educational programs and organize a meeting
with an addiction counsellor to inform parents about preventing and
detecting substance abuse in adolescence. The school will also reintroduce
decision-making and self-esteem programs that have been offered in previous
years.

Not only is substance abuse "destructive" to the students, it also takes up
a lot of administrative time.

Murray Barker said it can take at least eight hours from finding out
there's alcohol on school property to finding out who was involved and
dealing with them.

MacDonald said he commends the school's honesty and quick action with the
situation.

"The school, parents and community can certainly gain the upper hand in
this situation," he said. "It's really important to recognize the school
has taken a very pro-active approach here."

Another meeting will be held tonight (Wednesday) at 6:30 p.m. in the
school's library to discuss what concrete steps are to be taken and in
order to create a timeline.