The Kamloops RCMP and Kamloops Blazers give 24 presentations every year to Grade 6 students (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Chad Klassen

PROJECT EDGE

School district backs RCMP involvement in Project EDGE

Jan 16, 2020 | 4:43 PM

KAMLOOPS — Every year, the RCMP and the Kamloops Blazers visit Grade 6 classrooms in the city. Their message? Make smart choices in life, and avoid going down the path of addiction.

It follows an annual trip to the Downtown Eastside, where players and coaches are escorted by police officers to see what the conditions are like. Their observations are then relayed to the students.

The hour-long presentation outlines what a drug is, how it can affect your body, and chronicles the stories of people who have wound up on the Downtown Eastside.

“We heavily rely on our partnership with the RCMP in a number of aspects,” said assistant superintendent of elementary schools Trish Smillie. “Having RCMP come in and talk to our students is really important for building the relationship over time. Having the Blazers work with our students as well shows them in a really positive light.”

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The school district is responding to critics of the program, including the District Parent Advisory Council, who feel it’s too one-sided and not completely accurate.

Dr. Ian Mitchell has written to Education Minister Rob Fleming, arguing it’s “stigmatizing and dehumanizing.” He feels it puts fear into students about drug use, while ignoring other factors.

“They really don’t acknowledge the role of childhood trauma. They don’t acknowledge the role of mental illness, of repeated head trauma. All these things that are associated with a downward spiral that can lead to people living on the Downtown Eastside, and at that point using drugs,” said Dr. Mitchell. “But they’re trying to say that if you use drugs, you’re going to end up on the Downtown Eastside. That’s just the wrong message to preach.”

Smillie responded, “Our RCMP provide one perspective and a multitude of perspectives in responding to drug use. [Project EDGE] is one, and we do support the RCMP.”

Dr. Mitchell has argued the district’s drug educator should conduct the presentation. The district, however, says such roles are meant for more one-on-one education for students who need it.

“We have a number of staff that support (students experiencing) drug and alcohol use in our district,” said Smillie. “We have a mental health clinician, who is our drug and alcohol clinician who provides direct service to students in that area. She also does provide education when requested.”