Pubdate: Fri, 29 Mar 2002
Source: Ottawa Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2002, Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact:  http://www.fyiottawa.com/ottsun.shtml
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/329
Author: Derek Abma, Ottawa Sun
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

GOOD LESSON FOR STUDENTS

The use of drugs among young people is a serious issue and it takes serious 
measures to deal with it, says Stuart Auty, president of the Canadian Safe 
Schools Network.

Auty said periodic checks involving police dogs is a good way to discourage 
students from bringing drugs to school.

"For the student population, it's a wake-up call when they see dogs going 
through on a lockdown, searching their lockers," he said. "Drugs and drug 
use in schools is on the increase and I can understand a school principal 
being concerned about it. I think (the lockdowns are) a statement to the 
kids and I think it's a statement that says: 'Hey wait a minute. Is this a 
good idea to be taking drugs?' "

Auty said such measures won't prevent students from doing drugs, but it can 
help get it away from schools, and that's a big part of the battle.

He acknowledged the process can lead to innocent students being punished, 
as 15-year-old Chris Laurin says is his case.

But Auty said because minors are required by law to be in school, more 
vigilance is required to keep them safe than in places where it is an 
individual's choice whether or not to be there.

A positive to come out of the Laurin controversy, Auty added, is that 
teachers and students are talking about drugs and that's an important part 
of the education process.

"Too often we have kids experimenting (with drugs) at a very young age and 
getting hooked without really understanding what they're doing," he said.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager