Teachers in the K-12 system agree with the concept of introducing education on drug and drink as young as primary school.

The Child Death Review Committee in Newfoundland and Labrador made the recommendation in a recent report, and it’s something with which the provincial government agrees.

Nobody knows just what “age-appropriate substance abuse” education would look like as it’s way too soon in the game.

Dale Lambe, President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers’ Association, says if government does adopt such a program, they cannot do it in arbitrary fashion as it will have to allocate sufficient resources – that includes training for teachers.

“It can’t be something that’s done on a whim,” says Lambe. “it has to be deliberate and we have to be mindful of the students and that it’s age appropriate, meaning that as they move forward, they make healthful decisions.”