Pubdate: Wed, 15 Dec 2004
Source: Clarion-Ledger, The (MS)
Copyright: 2004 The Clarion-Ledger
Contact: http://www.clarionledger.com/about/letters.html
Website: http://www.clarionledger.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/805
Author: Cathy Hayden and Jeremy Hudson
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

PRINCIPAL - MADISON STUDENTS DEALT POT

Madison Middle School Parents Sent Letter About Expulsions

Madison Middle School's principal took a somewhat unusual step Monday
by sending a letter to parents detailing four boys' involvement in
alleged drug deals on campus earlier this month.

Principal Ron Morrison said it was better for parents to hear about
the alleged drug deals from officials than through gossip.

Two unidentified boys were expelled for a calendar year - with another
semester at the alternative school to follow - for allegedly selling
marijuana and the prescription drug Adderall, sometimes prescribed to
treat attention-deficit disorder or hyperactivity, Morrison wrote. Two
other boys were placed at the alternative school for a year for
alleged possession of marijuana.

In October, two boys were arrested at the 1,300-student school for
alleged possession of marijuana. One also was charged with sale and
possession of a tobacco substance.

"This problem is universal in this country. It's not just here in
Madison," said Morrison, who was principal at Jackson's Chastain
Middle last year. "It's in the community."

Madison County Sheriff's Department Lt. Brad Harbour, who often visits
schools to talk with students about staying away from drugs, said a
seventh grade girl recently told him she had experimented with cocaine.

"I try to be blunt with the kids and let them know they will wind up
dead or in jail if they mess around with this stuff," Harbour said.
"It all goes back to parents being involved with their kids, though. I
ask parents if they have ever searched their child's room and it is
amazing how many tell me that would be an invasion of their privacy.
I'd rather have my kid hate me for doing that than have them wind up
dead."

Morrison said the number of cases at Madison Middle compared to other
middle schools in the area are about the same, but one difference in
Madison is that middle-school age students have more money to spend.
Madison County has one of the highest per capita incomes in the state.

"I hope parents realize that when you're giving the kids money, you'd
best be thinking about where they are spending it and think about
what's coming in the door. One kid had gone around bragging about how
much marijuana he had been smoking," Morrison said.

But on the other hand, Morrison said a number of students reported the
alleged drug deal on Dec. 3 to an assistant principal. "It was
incredible how involved the children are in cleaning up their own
school. They have a genuine sense of ownership," he said.

Ironically, about the same time the alleged drug deal was reported,
science classes were holding a series of drug awareness talks with
local attorneys and law enforcement officials.

"It is certainly a concern that children of that age are exposed to
drugs and alcohol. It's disappointing those students chose to bring it
to the school," said attorney Sam Kelly, who is Madison Middle PTO
president.

Morrison said he doesn't see anything different the school can do,
except maybe more of what it's already doing.

Drug-sniffing dogs are brought in about every four to six weeks for
random searches.

The school frequently schedules speakers to talk to students about
drug awareness.

"I don't think there is anything different we'll do. We've got to get
something going on a more regular basis," he said.

Madison County Youth Court Judge Cynthia Brewer said marijuana and
alcohol are the primary substances young teens abuse. Lack of parental
involvement is becoming a trend among the youthful offenders appearing
before her, she said.

"You have to be supportive of your child and do your best to educate
them," Brewer said. "As a parent, your job is to do all you can to
make sure they make the right choice."

According to Morrison's letter:

On Dec. 3, students told eighth-grade principal Brent Cofield that
they witnessed a student in the school courtyard giving money to a boy
in exchange for marijuana.

School administrators found marijuana on the student, Morrison said.
"He confessed that he purchased the drug on campus and verified the
name of the other student," the letter said.

"During questioning, the other boy revealed that he was in possession
of a prescription drug, Adderall," the letter states. "We continued
our investigation and found that there were two other boys involved in
the distribution of marijuana and Adderall," the letter states.

"One transaction occurred during the ride to school on the bus," the
letter states. "After concluding our investigation, we called the
Madison Police Department and the students were removed from our campus."

Morrison said he placed the boys found in possession of marijuana -
but who did not distribute it - in alternative school for a full
school year. A district disciplinary committee upheld that action,
Morrison said in the letter.

"Please reinforce to your child that we will be intensely diligent in
investigating any allegation of an illegal or prohibited activity of
any kind on campus, including any illegal drug use, possession or
distribution," Morrison said in the letter.
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