SCHOOL TAKES ACTION WITH DRUG PROBLEMS

By the time the dust settles the principal of an Okotoks high school said
15-20 students will either have been suspended, suspended with a
recommendation for expulsion or who voluntarily withdrew from the school
after being caught using marijuana.

Harry Morrison, principal of Foothills Composite High School/Alberta High
School of Fine Arts in Okotoks, said that an investigation into illegal
substance use by local students has been ongoing for about one year.

'This school is no different from any other high school. The increase in
drug use is becoming a problem and we (administration) have to do something
about it,' said Morrison.

Recently, due to the ongoing investigation by school administration, a
number of students were found using drugs in various locations off school
property including a shed adjacent to the school and two pit areas in the
northeast corner.

Morrison said the shed has since been closed up and he is hoping something
will be done to eliminate access into the pits.

While there have been some specific incidents of drug use recently,
Morrison said no charges have been laid, therefore he could not comment.

But with increased enforcement, education and awareness as well as the use
of police dogs and RCMP officers, a number of students were weeded out in
the last few weeks.

By talking with students about drug use and the policies of the school,
Morrison said administration was able to determine some of those who were
involved in drug use in the school.

'We are moving around and talking to the kids. We are around the property
and have increased supervision in the parking lots and (around the school).
We are trying to deal with this problem, said said Morrison.

Morrison said the issue of drugs in the school and the subsequent
investigation has been ongoing since the beginning of the school year,
there were also a number of suspensions made last year.

While increased teacher supervision is expected to curb drug use in the
school, Morrison said it is unfortunate the time of administration and
teachers is spent on enforcement.

'It is too bad we have to spend our energy doing this task,'he s he said.
'We are trying to prevent this from becoming worse, in fact, we are trying
to stop it.'

Enforcement isn't the only means of attempting to eliminate illegal
substance use among students. Morrison said administration is taking a
proactive approach through education.

'We are trying to keep on top of this issue,' he said.

A number of parent/student support seminars are planned including a drug
awareness presentation on Jan. 15.

School administration is also anticipating a partnership with the local
RCMP to have an officer in the school part of the time similar to the
program in Calgary schools. The police dogs will become a permanent
structure in the school, said Morrison.

He explained that having the RCMP officer and dogs in the school
periodically is not a punitive measure, but rather a part of the education
and awareness to create a safe and caring place for students.

'These are still my kids and I am trying to protect them. These are good
kids who make silly mistakes,' said Morrison.

'This is a place of learning. We want the students to come to school in
peak form, mentally, psychologically and physically.'

According to school policy, if a student is caught using an illegal
substance, trafficking or with drug paraphernalia there is an automatic
three-day suspension for the first offence.

Once the student returns to school, Morrison said it is encouraged that
his/her parents come to school with them for an 'intake' meeting and that
they make an AADAC contact.

If there is a repeat offence, the student is suspended with a
recommendation for expulsion or have the opportunity to voluntarily
withdraw from the school.

'We have a clear message out there that I want the kids to know "we a we
are not going to tolerate it (drug use). When they come to this school we
want them to come clean,'said said the principal.

A letter of information has also been forwarded to all the parents
regarding this issue.

While marijuana use accounts for 90 per cent of the cases at the school,
Morrison said there has also been some concern from local RCMP about other
drugs, such as ecstasy and magic mushrooms, coming into the community.