Pubdate: Wed, 05 Apr 2017
Source: Tri-City News (Port Coquitlam, CN BC)
Webpage: https://issuu.com/tri-city-news/docs/tricitynews0405
Copyright: 2017 Tri-City News
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/3X3xlf9Y
Website: http://www.tricitynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1239
Author: Diane Strandberg

SD43 IS PLANNING FOR LEGAL WEED

Schools aren't expecting more students to show up high if the federal
government moves on plans to legalize marijuana on or before July 1,
2018, says a School District 43 official.

But assistant superintendent Rob Zambrano says the months leading up
to eventual legalization will be an opportunity for schools, parents
and community leaders to have conversations about what is acceptable
behaviour.

School District 43 already has a code of conduct that prohibits
"illegal acts," including the use or trafficking of drugs, alcohol or
restricted substances, and cannabis won't be allowed on school
grounds. And while it's not known yet what the legal age of permitted
use will be in B.C., students who are stoned, regardless of the
legality of the product, won't be allowed in classrooms. (The federal
government is expected to make 18 the legal age of
possession.)

"It will open the conversation and create that depth of understanding
about possible negative consequences," Zambrano said, "and we will
continue to treat it as we do now: You're not going to come to school
high."

But he said he expects schools to discuss the issue with their parent
advisory councils when they review the code of conduct each year.

Drug use at school is rare in SD43 but students do sometimes go to
school high - more frequently than they use alcohol - and when they
do, they can be suspended, asked to make up for the behaviour through
restorative action or recommended for treatment if dependence is a
concern.

"There are students who do choose to make those decisions," he said.
"There's a very low recidivism rate once we intervene. We don't always
see people do it again at school."

Last week, B.C. Public Safety Minister Mike Morris discussed reports
that the Trudeau government plans to table a bill this month to
legalize marijuana.

At an event in Surrey, he discussed how police officers will look to
use some kind of screening device to test drivers who are suspected of
driving high. The provinces must also decide the legal age to purchase
marijuana, how the drug will be distributed and what it will cost.

In SD43 and in school communities around the province, the impending
legislation is likely to generate conversations about what cannabis
legalization means for individuals, family and the community, and
those discussions are necessary, Zambrano said, as people seek out
more information.

Marijuana use among teens has been a topic at recent drug education
meetings for parents organized by the school district, and there is a
lot of confusion as to whether cannabis is beneficial because it is
legal for medical use or harmful because of its potential effects on
young people.

Groups such as the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse say early and
frequent marijuana use by youths can increase the risk of short-term
cognitive impairment, under-performing in school and psychotic
symptoms and disorders.

The district is also reviewing the new curriculum to see if there are
opportunities to teach more drug education in schools, with special
resources targeted to different age groups. Zambrano said a similar
strategy will be used to incorporate more information about mental
health and child abuse prevention.

"What resources are appropriate? Do teachers need training? Do we need
to access outside agencies? in September we'll have a more robust and
comprehensive strategy," Zambrano said.

In the meantime, there are three more drug education presentations for
parents at Tri-City high schools. All of the workshops will start at 7
p.m., and the information is designed for an adult audience - not
children. They will be held at:

* Tonight: Terry Fox, Wednesday, April 5;

* Pinetree, Thursday, April 6;

* and Gleneagle, Wednesday, April 19.
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MAP posted-by: Matt