Pubdate: Fri, 08 Jun 2007
Source: Stony Plain Reporter, The (CN AB)
Copyright: 2007 The Stony Plain Reporter
Contact:  http://www.stonyplainreporter.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3370
Author: Rudy A. Zacharias
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

TEENS HELP TEENS DEAL WITH DRUGS

Seventeen-year-old Shelby Schindler is concerned about rampant drug 
and alcohol abuse amongst her peers and perceived apathy regarding the problem.

So, when offered an opportunity to do something proactive about the 
issues, she was immediately high on the idea.

Schindler, together with nine other Grade 12 students from St. Thomas 
Aquinas Catholic High School, joined MODA (Misuse of Drugs and 
Alcohol), a peer-based education and support group within the school, 
after administration approached students to determine whether there 
was interest in developing such a program.

Problem "You can't go anywhere without seeing how huge (the problem) 
is," acknowledges Schindler, who decided to get involved after 
witnessing the effects drugs and alcohol had on some of her closest 
friends. "I've seen what happened to my friends and their families. 
"It may seem all fun and games now, but once your liver fails and 
your brain no longer works properly, you will wish you had known this 
would eventually happen before you tried anything. MODA offered me 
the chance to educate students in advance."

Initiatives

Under the supervision of assistant principal Duane Hagen and the 
school's guidance team, the group met weekly throughout the school 
year to develop youth drug prevention and education strategies and to 
plan activities for students.

These initiatives included distribution of parent/teen help cards, 
organizing special events, and inviting relevant guest speakers.

Representatives from the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission 
(AADAC) visited the school periodically for open mic sessions, where 
students were encouraged to ask questions.

MODA was nominated for the 2007 Youth Group Award, presented to a 
youth group that engaged in acts of charity by giving their time and 
talents to better the community, at this year's Leaders of Tomorrow 
Awards, sponsored by Servus Credit Union Spruce Grove - Stony Plain 
Community Council.

MODA deviates from the standard youth drug prevention and education 
programs in that it is peer-based, emphasizing leadership and 
education by students for students.

Hagen concedes that typical consequences, such as dishing out 
suspensions, are ineffective and usually detached from the issues. 
School administration was determined to find a more effective and 
proactive way to address alcohol and drug abuse issues among students.

Perspective

"Group members felt, and we agreed, that reaching out to their own 
peers was more productive than having staff lecture them," he said, 
adding members of MODA do not preach to students, but rather offer 
information about the consequences of alcohol and drug abuse and how 
to make healthy choices.

"Generally, youth know what works with youth better than most adults do."

Schindler, who graduated in May, agrees MODA has a greater impact 
than standard programs.

"If an adult comes into school and just yaps about his or her 
experiences, as teens, we just roll our eyes," she said. "Events 
organized by youth are effective because we relate. We know what's 
going on, what works and what kids listen to."

Context

MODA is a part of the Tri-Municipal Drug Strategy Team (DST), a group 
consisting of representatives from AADAC, Parenting for the Future, 
Stony Plain and Spruce Grove Family and Community Support Services 
(FCSS), the RCMP, community social service agencies and local 
churches and schools.

The DST, whose mission is to inspire the community to take action 
against drug abuse at the grassroots level, meets monthly to identify 
problems and develop education and support strategies.

Each month, two students from MODA present a report to the DST panel, 
updating the team about the group's initiatives and offering 
information about youth drug and alcohol abuse issues.

"These updates are invaluable," said DST chair Lorna Wolodka, adding 
the reports will be used to develop this year's youth drug prevention 
strategy. "The DST should not just be adults sitting around figuring 
out what's best for kids. We need youth participation and their 
perspectives, and we depend on their input and feedback."

Extent

A community survey conducted by the DST last October revealed youth 
drug and alcohol abuse is a major problem in the tri-municipal area. 
More than half of the responses came from students, 84 per cent of 
whom said they believe there are major drug issues within their 
schools and communities. Wolodka said MODA has its finger on the 
pulse of its school. She hopes similar programs will be developed in 
all schools.

"What this group has accomplished in its first year is phenomenal," 
she said. "Based on the successes of the MODA group, we want to see 
more youth involved and hope the program continues next year."

St. Thomas Aquinas plans to expand the program next year, thanks to a 
$3,000 grant from AADAC.

"We hope students entering Grade 12 are eager to continue where this 
group left off," Hagen said. For Schindler, the program is about 
supporting teens.

"Basically, kids need to know someone who understands is beside them. 
It's not about preaching; it's explaining exactly what it is they're 
doing to their bodies and how it hurts everyone around them. We 
shouldn't abuse our bodies at such a young age. Our whole lives are 
ahead of us."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman