Pubdate: Thu, 19 Jan 2006
Source: Montgomery Gazette (MD)
Copyright: 2006 Gazette Newspapers
Contact:  http://www.gazette.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/929
Author: Keith L. Martin
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?135 (Drug Education)

OFFICIALS QUESTION IMPACT OF SCHOOLS' ANTI-DRUG MESSAGE

Armed with survey data indicating large numbers of  Frederick County
high school seniors are using  substances such as drugs and alcohol,
county officials  are wondering if anti-drug education is missing its 
mark.

In November, the Maryland Adolescent Survey, an  anonymous
questionnaire on students' use of drugs,  alcohol and other
substances, was distributed to more  than 2,000 county students in
grades six, eight, 10 and  12.

The results indicated that younger students' use of  substances is
close to state averages, but use among  high school students in the
county is far greater than  peers throughout Maryland.

Students in 12th grade ranked higher than state  percentages in
numerous categories of substance use,  including liquor, marijuana,
ecstasy and inhalants.

School health administrators outlined how the county  delivers
messages of avoiding such substances to  students during a
presentation to the school board Jan.  11. Following the presentation,
some board members  questioned whether this education was making a 
difference, especially with high school seniors.

Lynn Carr, curriculum specialist for physical  education, health and
athletics, told the board that  substance abuse education is delivered
during Biology I  classes in 10th grade, in American Studies II in
11th  grade and in English 12 for high school seniors. Carr 
acknowledged that some students do not take all of  these classes due
to choosing electives or other  advanced courses.

The board's student representative, Jonathan Mahlandt,  said at
Middletown High School, students taking  advanced placement classes
rather than the American  Studies course don't get the information,
based on his  own experience.

High school instructional director Ann Bonitatibus said  that advanced
placement teachers should still be  delivering the message, but
acknowledged that it may be  skipped as instructors lack time.

Bonitatibus reminded the board that many student-led  initiatives are
also preaching an anti-drug lifestyle  in county schools.

''There are some strong and powerful things being done  to reach the
entire student body," she said.

Anther concern with Frederick County's substance abuse  education
brought up by the board was funding.  Commissioner Michael L. Cady (R)
said what was being  done in the county versus the rest of the state
was not  working.

''I don't think [Frederick County] kids are more prone  to use...
something is happening through the process,"  he said. ''The message
is not clear."

Linda Gouker, safe and drug-free schools facilitator  for the county,
said of her $120,000 budget, only  $15,000 came from local sources.
The rest comes from  federal funding, some of which might soon be 
eliminated.

''We need more muscle to make this work," Cady said.  ''It's totally
unacceptable to me... to lead the state  in drug use. From my work
with [weightlifting and  Olympic groups], I know this is a losing
battle, but at  least we can retard its advancement."

Superintendent Linda D. Burgee said before determining  that money
will fix the problem, the school system  needs to look at what will
help and then determine if  funding is associated with these
solutions. She also  noted a personal desire to expand the community's
role  in helping young people avoid using drugs and alcohol,  noting
that the schools cannot work alone.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin