Pubdate: Tue, 24 Oct 2017
Source: Windsor Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2017 The Windsor Star
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/501
Author: Julie Kotsis
Page: A6

CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOARD LAUNCHES DRUG STRATEGY

Students, teachers, families part of plan to combat pervasive problem

A new strategy focused on getting drug-addicted high school students
the help they need was launched Monday at LaSalle's Villanova, one of
the many area secondary schools where police say the problem is pervasive.

Principal Amy Facchineri said the Windsor Essex County District School
Board decided to initiate the program at Villanova because of a
growing problem with drug use by students everywhere and an advisory
from LaSalle Police last spring.

"We have had an increased number of suspensions but I would say that's
due to the fact that we're actively engaged in this issue," Facchineri
said.

"There are drugs in this school. There are drugs in every school. It's
not unique to us.

"Our goal is not to be punitive. We are looking to get students the
support that they need in the community."

The plan for Villanova includes a meeting between police and teachers
who will volunteer their time to attend a strategy session on Oct. 30,
followed by four assemblies for students in each grade level and
finally a parents night with a panel discussion featuring LaSalle
police officers and two former students who will speak about their
experiences with drugs.

The initiative, titled We Need to Talk, is a board-wide strategy to
address issues around the use of opioids and other illicit drugs among
students, said director of education Paul Picard.

"Unless we confront this problem head-on, we run the risk of seeing
serious and potentially lethal consequences for our students," Picard
said. "The severity of the issue continues to increase."

The multi-faceted strategy will involve students, parents, teachers,
police, counselling services, health-care providers and "every other
community resource that we can call on," Picard said.

Nicole Dupuis, director of health promotion at the Windsor-Essex
County Health Unit and a member of the Windsor-Essex Community Opioid
Strategy Leadership Committee, said support is needed for families and
teachers.

"It is important that we educate our youth about the reality of
opioids and more importantly the consequences of addiction," Dupuis
said.

Facchineri said opioid use in this area has been called an epidemic
and pointed to a recent health unit report showing the total rate of
opioid users in this area is 18.9 per cent, which is higher than the
provincial average and the seventh highest rate compared to 49 other
Ontario communities.

"The opioid crisis is a community problem," said parent Dana Tonus.
"As parents, we cannot ignore this issue or pretend that it's not
happening in our community, in our schools,"

Tonus said parents need to be realistic, informed and to work together
to raise awareness and keep children safe.

Lydia Manchurek, Villanova's student council prime minister, said she
didn't know what opioids were until she was educated about them.

"It is very important that our students understand what opioids
consist of and that a one-time thing can become a much bigger issue,"
Manchurek said. "Every student should be able to come to school
feeling comfortable and safe, not worrying about being tempted by
opioids or any other drugs."

Joe Brannagan, president of the local Ontario English Catholic
Teachers' Association's secondary unit, said teachers have fully
embraced the initiative.

"There's no way we can move forward unless we know exactly what it is
we are dealing with," he said.

Information for parents, students and educators on the We Need to Talk
initiative can be found on the board's website at www.wecdsb.on.ca.
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MAP posted-by: Matt