Officials have responded after pamphlets detailing how to use illicit substances safely were distributed to high school students in Medicine Hat. (Photo: CHAT News Today)

By Eli J. Ridder

Backlash after Medicine Hat High distributes illicit substance how-to pamphlets to students

Dec 15, 2023 | 4:38 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Medicine Hat High School received backlash on Thursday, December 14, 2023, after students saw instructions for how to safely prepare illicit substances for consumption earlier this week.

The instructions were of part of just one of several pamphlets distributed at a wellness fair on Tuesday.

Pamphlets included “Safer Crystal Meth Smoking“, “Safe Crack Smoking” and “Safer Snorting” — outlining ways to smoke crystal meth and crack while outlining safe supplies to use.

An instructional pamphlet distributed to students in Medicine Hat explains how to prepare a meth pipe. (Photo: SafeLink Alberta)

The material was available at a booth by SafeLink Alberta, a harm reduction organization.

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Sarah Anderson, a student’s parent who heard about the pamphlets, told Pattison Media she was disappointed with the school.

“I am so mad,” Anderson said, adding the content shared by SafeLink was inappropriate for students that could be as young as 14.

SafeLink said pamphlets were not actively handed out and were removed from its booth on the request of the high school administrators within an hour of the event starting.

In a letter addressed to parents, Principal Dean Brown apologized for the pamphlets.

“To be clear, we are not okay with with content being shared in our school and are committed to doing better,” Brown wrote.

“We want to share a sincere apology with our students and families.”

READ ALL THE PUBLIC STATEMENTS

Mark Davidson, the superintendent of the Medicine Hat Public School Division, said Thursday the materials distributed by SafeLink came as a surprise.

“As a father, educator, superintendent, and member of our community I was angered by the materials SafeLink displayed for students,” Davidson said.

Davidson said the materials were not reviewed ahead of time by high school staff and will now work harder to make sure it screens what comes into its schools.

“As a result of this incident, we are redoubling our efforts to ensure all outside agencies understand the need for caution, respect, and sound judgement when they are guests in our schools,” he said.

The brochures were pulled from CATIE, a free source of information on substances and diseases.

SAFELINK NOT AIMING TO PROMOTE SUBSTANCE USE, IT SAYS

SafeLink in a statement Thursday said that high school and college students using off-label amphetamines is not uncommon across southern Alberta.

“In sharing this information, our intention is not to promote substance use, particularly in youth,” SafeLink said.

Instead, SafeLink aims to help those already using substances to make informed decisions that can prevent further harms like an overdose death or disease transmission.

“Intentions aside, we recognize that this information may be alarming to parents who are
unaware of substance use trends in youth and who would prefer to be made aware of the
resources being offered to their children in advance,” SafeLink said.

“We apologize for any miscommunication with Medicine Hat High School about the specific content of the substance use education materials that were requested for this event.”

‘A BILLION TIMES UPSET’

Anderson asked her child, a student at Hat High, what she learned at high school at day and was surprised to hear her say she learned how to safely smoke meth.

“I want to know about her chemistry tests, not what she learned about smoking meth,” Anderson said in front of the high school on Thursday.

“I am a billion times upset because right here is the future.”

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now

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