Pubdate: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 Source: Parksville Qualicum Beach News (CN BC) Copyright: 2009 Black Press Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/5ZThWm9Z Website: http://drugsense.org/url/3xEEhi0m Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1361 Author: Auren Ruvinsky Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) STUDENTS CAUGHT WITH DRUGS NOT SENT AWAY When a student is caught with drugs or alcohol, the first and only response used to be to suspend them. But now, School District 69 is using a unique, collaborative approach to work with the student instead. Introduced as a pilot project last year, the district now gives students in-school suspensions and sits them down with the District Drug and Alcohol Review Committee (DDARC) to look into issues around their substance use. "The whole approach is based on an open and honest conversation with their families," said Assistant Superintendent Rollie Koop. Rather than "punishing" the student by sending them into the community without any resources, students are now required to work through a workbook in school which prepares them for the meeting with the DDARC, which includes a district administrator, school counsellor, Vancouver Island Health Authority drug/alcohol counsellor and their parent or guardian. The collaborative committee brings in as many community partner groups as they can to address each individual student's situation. The basis of the new process is the long, honest conversation with the student in which there is no blame or talk about morality or right or wrong, explained district Director of Instruction Gillian Wilson. The goal is not punishment, but looking at why the student was using the substance, assessing their needs and walking them through any programs or services that may be useful. More than 100 students went through the process last year and Koop said the results have been immediately obvious, including many breakthroughs with students who are struggling with substance abuse issues. He points out there is a big difference between a student who sips a cooler before a school dance and a student who drinks or smokes a joint every morning before school, but in the old system they both faced the same suspension. A community/district liaison worker helps mediate the process and support the student to remain in school and graduate and go on to be a value to society rather than dropping out and becoming a drain. This liaison worker is considered a key to the whole process by the community groups involved, but it is not yet a fully funded position and funding is just being cobbled together month by month. "This program really struck a cord in the community," said Renate Sutherland, executive director of the Society of Organized Services, one of the main partners in the program. She said even in the current economic climate, with the known donor fatigue, they have found a lot of eager supporters. Key donors so far, who Sutherland pointed out aren't doing it for the recognition, include the Rotary Club of Qualicum Beach, Black and White Party Rentals, Coast Realty Group, Windsor Plywood, BMO Nesbitt Burns, Tim Horton's and the Beach Club. To help keep the program going the committee is looking to hold a big informational gathering in the early spring to bring in more partners, raise funds and let the community know about the work they are doing. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D