Pubdate: Wed, 28 Dec 2005
Source: Chronicle Herald (CN NS)
Copyright: 2005 The Halifax Herald Limited
Contact:  http://thechronicleherald.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/180
Author: John Gillis, Health Reporter
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?224 (Cannabis and Driving)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

ANTI-DRUG PROGRAM IN SCHOOLS QUESTIONED

Researcher: 'Harm Reduction' Not Working At Junior High Level

A controversial new approach to drug education that encourages teens 
who choose to use drugs to avoid unnecessary risks is appropriate for 
older teens but goes over the heads of junior high school students, a 
Dalhousie University researcher has found.

The results of a four-year study of so-called "harm reduction" drug 
education by Dr. Christiane Poulin, holder of the Canada Research 
Chair in population health and addictions at Dal's medical school, 
were published in the International Journal of Drug Policy last week.

Many jurisdictions around the world are considering changing the way 
they try to teach young people about substance abuse, Dr. Poulin said Tuesday.

"Everybody is thinking about doing this, but there is still a great 
lack of evidence about whether or not it's safe, whether or not harm 
reduction will cause harm," she said. "In the past, the idea has been 
generally to try to get kids to not use drugs. In this case, we were 
concerned that the proportion of teenagers using was high enough that 
maybe we should be using another method."

She described harm reduction as an approach that says if you can't 
prevent substance abuse you should at least be able to prevent the 
problems and risks surrounding it, like excessive use and driving 
under the influence.

Dr. Poulin's study, only the second in the world to focus on harm 
reduction, began in 1998. That year, 38 per cent of Nova Scotians 
aged 11 to 19 reported having used marijuana at least once in the 
past year, compared to 17 per cent in 1991.

The study involved students, parents, teachers, officials from 
regional school boards and addiction services and Health Department 
staff at five junior and senior high schools around Nova Scotia.

The groups met several times to discuss issues related to drugs 
including alcohol, tobacco, prescription medication and illicit 
substances and to develop their own drug education activities.

Dr. Poulin said the materials produced differed widely from one 
school to another. One senior high school group, for instance, made a 
video about using marijuana and driving.

The study found the older students were adept at identifying ways 
people using drugs could save themselves from additional harm by 
setting limits on their use, not using drugs in certain situations 
and not driving while intoxicated or high.

"With junior high school students, their only solution was always 
'Don't use,' " Dr. Poulin said. "We realized they simply did not have 
the maturity and the development to handle the complex 
decision-making that is required by harm reduction."

Younger teens may even misconstrue harm reduction education as 
permission to use drugs, she said.

Dr. Poulin said at this point, it would be best to teach teens aged 
11 to 15 just to stay away from these drugs while looking for more 
effective methods.

"We should be encouraged by the fact that tobacco programs have 
worked for younger teens - fewer teens even experiment with tobacco," she said.

Based on her research, Dr. Poulin said, health and education 
officials should proceed with developing a harm reduction program 
specifically targeting senior high students.

Nova Scotia Health Promotion contributed about $250,000 toward the research.

Health Promotion staff who took part in the study weren't available 
Tuesday, but spokeswoman Susan MacLeod said the agency will draw on 
Dr. Poulin's work.

"We support the conclusions of the research and we will be using them 
when we . . . develop new curriculum," she said.

Ms. MacLeod said officials are working on new drug education programs 
intended to be ready for the start of the 2006-07 school year.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman