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Dog Search Sends Signal
Pubdate: Mon, 19 Sep 2005
Source: Edson Leader (CN AB)
Copyright: 2005 Edson Leader
Contact: http://www.edsonleader.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/780
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?237 (Drug Dogs)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/raids.htm (Drug Raids)
DOG SEARCH SENDS SIGNAL
Drugs and alcohol do not belong in a school setting. That's a great message
to send to all students in Edson whether or not they attend Parkland
Composite High School.
Last Thursday's school search using an RCMP dog will hopefully hammer into
students' minds that they shouldn't be messing with drugs. Otherwise, they
are messing with their future.
It's unfortunate that Grande Yellowhead Regional Division (GYRD) can no
longer trust their students to be drug-free. However, in today's society
all teens should be questioned about their possible drug use.
Many parents would like to take the easy way out and deny that their
children would be a candidate for even trying marijuana or meth. Raising
teenagers is a battle enough, never mind trying to tackle touchy topics.
But that's where the fight should begin before it reaches the school
system. Parents must tirelessly build communication lines with their
children about drugs and alcohol instead of hoping that they will be able
to handle peer pressure or temptations of taking the first puff.
Parents can access the Edson office of the Alberta Drug and Alcohol Abuse
Commission for resources if they aren't sure how to broach the topic.
The schools are also willing to help. Parkland principal Bob Tredger
prefers to informally involve local agencies and parents if a drug
situation arises in school. Tredger wants to help a student overcome a
possible problem instead of extorting to suspension or expulsion.
That's a great method because what does expulsion teach a teen addicted to
alcohol or drugs? The student's problem would only continue instead of
kicking a terrible habit.
GYRD is considering instituting a policy during this school year that would
take this approach to drug use for all grades. Currently, Tredger doesn't
have the alternative option to help the student first before suspension. He
must throw a student out of school and then suggest help.
The high school principal is reminding students repeatedly this year that
there is no tolerance for drugs and alcohol at Parkland. With the RCMP
dog's visit, students are sure to take Tredger's message seriously.
Let's face reality. Drugs aren't leaving Edson without a fight from all
levels of the community, including schools.
So if students must forgo their privacy for the sake of the health and
safety of their school, they shouldn't protest future searches.
If parents won't deal with drug issues at home, it's up to the community to
tackle the problem.
Edson doesn't need more addicts. The town wants to have healthy and
productive teenagers.
Our future depends on it.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom