During the 1960s and into the 1970s, Chilliwack did not have a problem with hard drugs.[1] However, smoking was commonplace, alcohol was everywhere, and soft drugs were also used, all of this also by the youth. These changing attitudes towards smoking, alcohol, and drugs are seen in CSSS. Smoking was socially acceptable, yet faced some condemnation; however, it was permitted in a certain area at CSSS. Drinking was somewhat frowned on by some, but many students did not hide their love for drink and parties. Soft drugs were much less common than both, but still embraced by certain teens and the ongoing debate over the legalization of marijuana provides fascinating input into the changing perspectives of students.
Smoking became permitted on school grounds in the quad in 1969. This then became the main gathering place for students on campus. The reason for being permitted was simply that smoking was so socially acceptable that the principal could find no reason to forbid it.[2] It was not that the school administration endorsed smoking but that it was socially acceptable. In fact, the principal was somewhat disappointed it was so socially acceptable because he thought it should be discouraged even if he had a smoke once in a while himself.[3] So, smoking has not even controversial during this time, it was socially acceptable and permitted in the quad on campus.
Because smoking was allowed in the quad, it was the most popular place in the school. Though at first, the quad was a controversial place on campus, it became the “favourite” place for students to gather because it was where they could smoke.[4] However, because there was a debate raging in the country over whether or not marijuana would be legalized, the students advocated to Mr. Halcow, the principal, that if marijuana was legalized, they should be allowed to smoke a joint in the quad.[5] Mr. Halcrow said that he “would not dispute pot smoking in the Quad if it was legalized.”[6] Mr. Halcrow himself had a progressive view on soft drugs, he did not think it was good for students to do them, but that forbidding them would have worse consequences as they will realize that drugs only bring “disillusionment” anyway.[7]
Even though drinking and drugs were not permitted on campus, this did not mean that students did not engage in both activities. A number of students made it clear in the annuals that partying with alcohol and possibly drugs was a part of their lives. Many students shared that they enjoyed “wild weekends” and “late parties.”[8] Of one student it was said, “It only takes him one drink to make him drunk, but he’s not sure whether it’s the ninth or the tenth.”[9] There was thought to be a lack of school spirit among students, but there was no lack of spirit “of the alcoholic sort.”[10]
When it came to drugs, marijuana was the one that most students encountered. One student said that the teachers needed to realize that they “have got a lot to learn and dope has got a lot to give.”[11] While drinking was far more common than soft drugs, they still had a presence among the youth. According to one student, when most youth in Chilliwack reached grade 8, they had already had “a little booze.”[12] This was because alcohol was easily findable; however, one student argued that the number of youths experimenting with soft drugs was on the rise because they were becoming more available.[13] In fact, one student wrote that, “a surprising number of pre-junior highs know how to roach a joint and even smoke one.”[14] The students argued that there would be consequences on upcoming classes as more and more of them used soft drugs.[15] The students referred to their generation as the “stoned generation.”[16]
So, students largely embraced smoking as was typical of many people in Chilliwack; many students valued parties with alcohol as well, and some students experimented with soft drugs such as marijuana, but also others such as acid. There were times when gatherings of students with alcohol and marijuana would have to be shut down in Chilliwack. One example was a dance on Saturday night, October 5, 1974, which turned into a riot requiring a sizable police force to shut it down.[17] Though riots were a rare feature of teens in Chilliwack during this time, partying with alcohol and drugs was not rare. Of course, not all teens participated, but there was certainly a broader trend of experimentation with drugs and alcohol as a part of the spirit of independence that identified this generation.
[1] “Rotarian’s Learn About Drugs,” Chilliwack Progress, June 18, 1969, 3, https://theprogress.newspapers.com/image/77071411/.
[2] Kathie Goggin, “Editorial,” Tatler, Chilliwack Senior Secondary School, October 22, 1971, 1.
[3] Frontiersman, Chilliwack Senior Secondary School, 1969-1970.
[4] Kathie Goggin, “Editorial,” Tatler, Chilliwack Senior Secondary School, October 22, 1971, 1.
[5] Murray Leslie, “Interview with Mr. Halcrow,” Chilliwack Senior Secondary School, Tatler, September, 1972, 8, .21
[6] Murray Leslie, “Interview with Mr. Halcrow,” Chilliwack Senior Secondary School, Tatler, September, 1972, 8, .21
[7] Murray Leslie, “Interview with Mr. Halcrow,” Chilliwack Senior Secondary School, Tatler, September, 1972, 8, .21
[8] Frontiersman, Chilliwack Senior Secondary School, 1968-1969.
[9] Frontiersman, Chilliwack Senior Secondary School, 1969-1970.
[10] Lee, “In the Spirit,” Tatler, Chilliwack Senior Secondary School, March 3, 1972, 6. .29
[11] Fried Brains [pseud.], “It’s the ‘Stoned Generation,’” Chilliwack Senior Secondary School, Tatler, n.d., 12. .36
[12] Fried Brains [pseud.], “It’s the ‘Stoned Generation,’” Chilliwack Senior Secondary School, Tatler, n.d., 12. .36
[13] Fried Brains [pseud.], “It’s the ‘Stoned Generation,’” Chilliwack Senior Secondary School, Tatler, n.d., 12. .36
[14] Fried Brains [pseud.], “It’s the ‘Stoned Generation,’” Chilliwack Senior Secondary School, Tatler, n.d., 12. .36
[15] Fried Brains [pseud.], “It’s the ‘Stoned Generation,’” Chilliwack Senior Secondary School, Tatler, n.d., 12. .36
[16] Fried Brains [pseud.], “It’s the ‘Stoned Generation,’” Chilliwack Senior Secondary School, Tatler, n.d., 12. .36
[17] Brian McCristall, “Saturday Riot Hard to Forget,” Chilliwack Progress, October 9, 1974, 1, https://theprogress.newspapers.com/image/77135857/.