Pubdate: Wed, 07 Sep 2005
Source: Powell River Peak (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 Peak Publishing Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.prpeak.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/734
Author: Ted Durnin, Peak Reporter	
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

SCHOOLS TAKE TOUGH STANCE ON DRUGS

Three-Time Offenders Are Out For Good, A Move That Concerns Some Community 
Groups

School District 47 implemented its new drug policy on September 1, 
according to superintendent Jay Yule.

"It's a much tougher stance," said Yule. "We believe we have the vast 
majority of support from parents and students." He added that the school 
district recognizes that the therapeutic approach has failed, and said it 
was time to try a different approach.

The new system gives a student two chances, and a third offence means 
permanent expulsion.

However, consequences are not predetermined, and there is a chance for the 
student to be heard, said Yule.

The policy is essentially unchanged for students at the elementary level.

"Students currently remaining in the system who have multiple offences will 
be considered to have had their second offence," said Yule. Letters and 
interviews will be arranged to make students aware of their status under 
the new policy.

Some changes have been made to the policy since it was first proposed. A 
drug forum was held in January as part of a public consultation process, 
and the school district also sought a legal opinion on the draft policy. 
What constitutes evidence of drug use was modified as a result.

"It became apparent that we had to strike the odour of drugs or alcohol [as 
evidence]," said Yule, "as it was not considered substantive." Instead, a 
drug or alcohol test will be administered. Refusal to take the test will be 
considered an admission of drug or alcohol use. Drug tests will not be 
administered at random, and only by school administrators.

"We would administer it only after there was some kind of probable cause," 
said Yule, such as dilated pupils, odour or erratic behaviour.

Police involvement is no longer a given unless the incident involves 
substantial amounts of drugs or alcohol.

"We don't think a school is the proper setting to deal with a serious drug 
issue. We need the help of the community," said Yule. "The board has stated 
that they are more than willing to be partners."

Concerns about youths being out of school, alienated, and possibly already 
at risk for other factors have been raised in the social service and health 
communities, and at special meetings convened by Mayor Stewart Alsgard to 
address the drug issue.

"We think that the policy should be such that we keep children in school," 
said Margaret Antolovich, Powell River Community Health manager for public 
health and prevention. "When you exclude them, you marginalize them."

Wendy Barker, administrator at Powell River Child, Youth and Family 
Services Society, also raised concerns. "Substance misuse is not just a 
school district issue," said Barker. "There is a definite need for a 
community approach to drug use and youth supports in general, and this will 
become more critical as youth are permanently expelled under the new 
policy." Barker expressed concern that expelled youths would not be 
successful with correspondence education.

Youth groups are also concerned. "Youth Advisory Council [YAC] felt . . . 
that something needs to be done," said Willow Dunlop, summer coordinator of 
Powell River YAC. "They're seeing some of their peers stoned in class. At 
the same time, the consequences would not be of any use without structure. 
There's nowhere for youth to go once they're expelled." YAC sees addressing 
the drug problem in Powell River as a community effort.

A review of the number of offences and feedback will be reviewed at the end 
of the first year, and recommendations for change and consultation will 
take place then.

"If this fails, we'll move on again," said Yule.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom