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SANS ERAN 24 -- PORT PERRY STAR -- Wednesday, Oct. 5, 1977 i SO # FAR EFAS RURAGY SSA a Ca I TR Sh On Xs TN ne A Pde 3 sm NE - Bits by Bett Discuss Drug Education Report On September 12, the Durham Board of Education received and discussed the "Drug Education Report" prepared by William A. Smith, Administrative Assis- -.tant, Drug Education and Counselling. As a result-of: the information and comments by trustees it- was- decided that the matter of drug use and abuse in the schools would be studied further and it was referred to the Program and Curriculum Committee. As of September 30, Bill Smith had not been informed as to when that committee is to meet, or whether he would be asked to prepare more reports or recommendations based on his experiences working in the school system. Bill Smith has worked with the Oshawa Board of Education, the County Board and now the Region of Durham Board for twenty years. His job as attendance counsellor led naturally into working with students who had problems and assisting them to find answers to enable them to cope. Inthe past ten years, the use of drugs by students and the resulting problems for the schools and families has meant that Bill has been seeking methods that will show the young people that drug abuse does not allow us to "live better through chemistry". To this end, Bill Smith has developed a "Drug Education Program' which he has conducted in eight schools this past year. The program centres around very basic life skills such as responsibilities, the student's role in the family and community, and alternatives to drugs. He would like to call this program by something other than a Drug Education Program, but essentially that is what it is all about. In the report to the Board, Bill states that alcohol and marijuana are running one-two on the chart, with many other drugs being used as well. Lowering the drinking age to 18 in 1971 has meant that drinking starts at 13 instead of 16. He personally would like the legal drinking age moved up to 20 or 21 years, based on his experience counselling young people. friends of 18 year old boys are usually younger and because the boys can obtain liquor the girls become consumers also. "Ten years ago, drug use was thought to be a passing fad, and it would go away," Bill said at the interview. "I wish we could wave a magic wand and have the problem disappear, but it won't." "There is a general break-down of family life and everybody is doing their own thing." "The School principals call on my services to counsel students and their families, and I like to go the the home when possible." Bill is definitely not a beaurocrat that sits in his office, he is better described as a "street worker" who has been plugging along these ten years with little financial support for a "drug' program from the Boards of Education. Remember the Nursery story, "The Little Red Hen"? Bill Smith reminds me of this fable because from the educators point of view, he received little help. The Little Red Hen found and planted the seed, harvested the grain, made the flour, baked the bread. Bill Smith was one of the first to work with the drug problem in the schools. He counselled, he interviewed, he spoke at public meetings, he visited schools all over the region and some not under the Durham Board's jurisdiction, because his expertise was needed. He tried some methods he later discarded because they were not effective. - But through the years he has amassed an enormous wealth of experience and information on which to call upon in his dealings with principals, teachers, students, and parents. And though, in Bill's words, he didn't win them all, he just keeps on working and is never. discouraged (just like the Little Red Hen). It has been ten years since the Board of Education has sponsored a trip to Educational Seminars dealing with Drugs for Bill Smith. He has attended some, at his own expense. '"'The kids are smart and you have to have all the facts about drugs when you talk to them," Bill says. He finds it helpful to know what other communities and other countries are doing to cope with society's ills. He worked as a street worker on the lower east side of New York years ago and he tries to keep in touch with international associations working with social and drug problems. There are 92 elementary and high schools in the Region. Bill Smith conducted his 'Drug Education Program" in eight of them last year. Cartwright Central Public School, R. H. Cornish Public School and Port Perry High School were among those he worked in. In the report he stated he regretted that time did not permit him to cover all the schools in the region. That really is not hard to understand. You see, Bill Smith has THREE jobs for the Board. He does the Drug Education and Counselling work, is an Atten- dance Officer (including court appearances), and is the person you contact if you wish to rent space in the schools, the Community Use of Schools official. Bill Smith has developed a Drug Education Program. He believes in it. Many other people do too. There is no budget at the present time for this very _ important work. 'We should start with the grade fives," Bill says. Bill distributes as much free literature on the subject to the school libraries as he can. A recently released film from the Addiction Research Found- ation, telling what happens to your body when you take drugs, would be of great assistance in his work. The cost of the film is $250.00. There is no money to buy this film. There should be three copies of the film in use. There should be-at feast two more "street workers" like Bill working in the Region. There should be money for resource material. There should be parents on the committee that looks into these matters. The educational system must take their share of responsibility in dealing with the increasing drug problem and this means recognizing the successes of Bill Smith's methods and the fact that ""The Little Red Hen' needs a budget and more workers, The girl , WELL DRILLING - * PUMPS INSTALLED Year Round Service 1-705-786-2651 R.R. 1, Little Britain BUSINESS ~ DIRECTORY | ACTIVE SEPTIC TANK SERVICE. Scugog Island 985-8068 7 Days a Week TOM ARMSTRONG SEPTIC TANK SERVICE PORT PERRY -ONTARIO 985-2226 . 579-1324 KEN LUKE *GRADING *BULLDOZING * LOADER WORK' 259 Shanley Street P.O. Box 837 - Port Perry 985-8060 Or 655-4600 - leave message. Wedding Invitations available at the Port Perry Star 985-7383 RELIABLE Plumbing & Heating Ltd. 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