Let's make a point to the death of Constable Barry Schneider, the Courtenay drug officer who died of a heroin overdose. People were stunned by Schneider's death. He was a popular drug awareness officer back working in his hometown and a father to two young children. When he died back in November, everyone thought it was a heart attack. Then the tests came in. Schneider died with cocaine and a deadly dose of heroin in his veins. We think of drug users as wretched figures shuffling down alleys in Vancouver's East Side. Beyond help, not part of our world. That is tragically, stupidly wrong. There are 15,000 heroin users in B.C. Many fit the stereotype. Others are kids, grandparents, police officers, loggers, moms, lawyers. They live in Vancouver and in Courtenay, Prince George, Kitimat. [continues 486 words]
One of the best hopes we have to prevent harmful patterns of drug consumption is to educate our youth about the short and long-term effects of drugs, including alcohol and tobacco. The question remains as to who should be educating our youth about drugs, and what messages we want them to receive. Drug Awareness and Resistance Education (DARE) is well-intended program but generally fails to provide knowledge which deters school-aged children from trying drugs in their youthful years. [continues 625 words]
Drug Awareness and Resistance Education (DARE) is well-intended program but generally fails to provide knowledge which deters school-aged children from trying drugs in their youthful years. The proponents of DARE argue that their drug education program is successful. Program "success" can be demonstrated if the measurements are short-term changes in attitudes of children, or whether or not parents and teachers support the program. However, the real test of DARE effectiveness can only be determined by measuring drug consumption patterns between DARE and non-DARE participants after the program is delivered. [continues 565 words]
