Pubdate: Sun, 06 Nov 2005
Source: Shelby Star, The (NC)
Copyright: 2005 The Shelby Star
Contact:  http://www.shelbystar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1722
Author: Hays Burchfield, Star Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States)

STUDENT DRUG USE ON RISE

LAWNDALE -- Three months into the school year Burns High already has
more reported cases of students abusing drugs than it did in the
entire 2004-'05 school year.

Seven incident reports have been filed this school year with the
Cleveland County Sheriff's Office. They describe Burns High students
abusing a variety of prescription drugs or marijuana, according to the
school's new resource officer Cpl. Robby Barr.

There were six reports of drug abuse at the school during the last
academic year, according to Capt. Bobby Steen, with the narcotics
division of the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office.

Brent McSwain, in his first year as principal of Burns High, said the
cause of the increase in reports does not necessarily mean there are
more drugs at the school than last year.

"There's not necessarily more use by students, but our teachers and
staff are more vigilant this year because we had a meeting at the
beginning of the year where everyone was given signs to look for,"
McSwain said.

Barr agreed with McSwain.

"With me being a new officer here, I'm more aware of the
surroundings," he said. "Last year, the school didn't have a permanent
school resource officer.

"Who knows why there's an increase? Students may be testing the system
to see what they can get away with here at the beginning of the school
year. I do think that prescription drugs are easier to obtain nowadays
and these kids run a high risk of hurting themselves because they take
these pills and don't know what effect they'll have."

Students Notice More Drugs

Burns High seniors Katie Cooke, Mary Ellen Harris and Josh Pearson
said they are much more aware of drugs at Burns High this year than in
the past.

"This year is the worst I've seen it and they're cracking down a lot
more too," Katie said.

Mary Ellen said marijuana use has been a large problem since last
year.

"It seems like half the students here smoke pot," she said. "And it's
not just the students who get in trouble a lot. There's a lot of
students who make high grades who do it."

Josh said he is glad school officials are working to reduce drug use,
but he has concerns about how some school personnel seem to suspect
certain kinds of students more than others.

"It's gotten to be where you can't be friends with some people because
you'll get accused of having drugs and searched just by talking to
certain people," Josh said. "The teachers think the smart kids are
good. They don't ever suspect them and they're the ones getting away
with smoking marijuana."

All the narcotics listed in the police reports were prescription drugs
and marijuana. Barr said sometimes the school handles drug incidents
without getting law enforcement involved.

One such example happened Wednesday morning when a male student showed
up to the school high on marijuana, Barr said. He said McSwain
suspended the student for 10 days and released the student to his
mother. Barr said he did not file an incident report in that case.

Proactive Measures

Barr said he would like to become more proactive to reduce behavior
problems in the school, but he spends more than half his time each day
reacting to problems such as fighting or using drugs.

"Of course, it varies day to day, but I spend about a fourth of my
time dealing with drug problems," Barr said. "I've talked to three or
four classes about the consequences of bad choices and I look forward
to doing more of that."

McSwain said he would like to see a Students Against Violence
Everywhere club formed at the school to help reduce the number of bad
choices students make. On Wednesday, he distributed anti-drug posters
for faculty and staff to hang up around the school to reinforce the
message that drug use is not worth the problems it causes.

Barr and McSwain said they are working on building a good rapport with
students so they'll trust them enough to tell them when other students
misbehave. Outside Barr's office door is a poster that has Cleveland
County's tip line, where callers can remain anonymous and may be given
rewards for information about illegal activities.

The tip line number is (877) 231-3892.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake