TEAM EFFORT NEEDED TO FIGHT SCHOOL DRUG USE

Police, Educators And Parents Must Work Together

A special drug education workshop at regional headquarters, Wednesday, had
one clear objective: solidify ways that police, educators and parents can
support each other so they in turn can provide support for children and youth.

Given the often startling statistics about illegal drug use among young
people, this concerted effort was well received for a number of reasons by
those taking part.

"This is an issue that touches all of us in our professional lives and on a
personal level," said Halton Regional Police Insp. Signy Pittman, who was
clear it's imperative that everyone involved understand their roles
considering the high stakes.

For example, said Pittman, from Sept. 2001 to Feb. 2002 there were 500
drug-related incidents in Halton - 24 per cent of these within half a
kilometer of a high school and half of those involving marijuana. According
to public health nurse Lorraine Gold, 70 per cent of students from Grade 7
to OAC used an illegal drug in the 12 months prior to a recent survey.

Gold said the survey also revealed that students are showing a decreased
perception of risk about drugs and are morally and socially less
disapproving of their use. When asked about availability, the number of
youths who said drugs were easy or very easy to obtain also increased.
Self-esteem is also a vital factor.

"People who said they felt good about themselves are less likely to take
illegal drugs," said Gold, who added that statistics regarding the first
time youths use drugs are also important in order for agencies to better
plan intervention and prevention strategies.

Halton Regional Police Sgt. Al Albano then gave Wednesday's attendees an
eye-opening crash course in youth drug culture, from the proliferation of
information about the growing of marijuana to tell-tale signs that your
children may be indulging their addictions.

For example, said Sgt. Albano, parents should watch for changes in their
children's behaviour (moody, secretive, difficulty sleeping, needing money,
stealing, skipping class, changing friends or interests) plus physical
clues (red eyes, weight loss, dilated pupils, trouble walking or talking,
avoiding eye contact).

Albano then showcased an assortment of drugs and drug paraphernalia,
including scissors to cut up pot buds, sandwich bags, scales (many stolen
from schools) and ether used in the dangerous process of making hashish oil
- - just one of the substances readily available.

Another is ecstasy, or what many youths believe is ecstasy. In actuality,
the pill they're swallowing may be polluted with all manner of adulterants
or be a more dangerous drug passed off as something its not.

"Problem is, kids don't know what they're getting," said Albano, who
explained that some students even sell their Ritalin at school for its
amphetamine effect.

Albano then broached the topic of trust, namely whether parents should
search a child's room if drug use is believed.

"If you're suspicious, do it," he said.

In light of all this information, said Halton District School Board
Superintendent Gary Sadler, youths really do need the full support of
educators, police and parents. While there are programs in place to keep
offenders out of court, the Education Act makes it clear that drugs on
school property will not be tolerated.

Selling drugs at school or obtaining alcohol for minors carries with it a
mandatory expulsion from a minimum 20 days to "forever," said Sadler.
Students can be expelled up to 20 days for being in possession of drugs or
being under the influence.

Even if no formal charges are laid by police, Sadler continued, school
principals "can and are expected" to expel students even if they only have
a "reason to believe" illegal activity has transpired. Fortunately,
protocols set out in the Safe Schools Act have police and educators working
together like never before.

Yet punishment is not the only option available in Halton.

The Youth Diversion Program, for example, is an initiative designed to
redirect young people from the traditional court system prior to charging
them with offences. It helps steer youths away from re-offending by
increasing positive motivation, attitude and behavior by influencing
everything from family life and education to employment, housing and
recreation. Less than five per cent of those youths, who pass through the
program re-offend.