Pubdate: Wed, 17 Sep 2003
Source: Kamloops This Week (CN BC)
Copyright: 2003 Kamloops This Week
Contact:  http://www.kamloopsthisweek.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1271
Author: Danna Johnson

SCHOOL DRUG WAR NEEDS STRONG HAND

Winning the war against drugs in schools hinges on one "super person," says 
superintendent Terry Sullivan.

Last year, Sullivan struck up a committee to explore rising drug-related 
suspensions in district schools and come up with some recommendations on 
how to address it.

Now, it's time to put words into actions, he says.

Next week he anticipates a job posting will be up for a drug-reduction and 
intervention worker. That person will be devoted to addressing the rising 
drug problem in schools, and will likely have a teaching certificate, a 
degree in counselling or social work and plenty of experience in the field.

"We're looking for a super person. This is a huge issue, we have a serious 
problem in our community, and the fact we have 10,000 needles exchanged 
each year in a city our size should be a wake-up call."

This is the first major step in dealing with a massive drug problem in 
schools, Sullivan says. Drug-related suspensions have nearly tripled since 
1997-98, with 73 recorded that year, and 209 recorded in 2002-03.

All reports indicate students are accessing drugs earlier, and they're not 
sticking with marijuana, but are being caught with harder drugs including 
methamphetamines and crack cocaine.

"Everything hinges on this person," Sullivan says. The drug-reduction and 
intervention worker will develop an action plan based on the committee's 
recommendations.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens