PEQUANNOCK -- You'll never win if you're on drugs. That's the message of a winning commercial written by a pair of 13-year-olds from Pequannock Valley Middle School. How good was the original script? It beat out 1,000 others statewide. Dana Carrubba and Deanna DeVito started filming their public service announcement Friday on the Pequannock Township High School track. "The message is that if you do drugs, it's not just that it can hurt you," Dana said. "But you could lose your friends and end up hanging out with people who only like you because you do drugs." [continues 379 words]
PEQUANNOCK - One student at Pequannock Township High School tested positive last week for substance abuse, an administrator said Tuesday. It was the first trace of drugs or alcohol found through the school district's drug policy. District high school students may voluntarily join the random test pool, but those who participate in sports or extracurricular activities are required to do so. Pequannock is the first district in the state with voluntary drug testing of middle school students. Officials would not provide specifics on the student or illegal substance, said William Trusheim, the Pequannock Valley Middle School principal and spokesman for the district's drug program. For example, Trusheim wouldn't say whether the student volunteered or was picked randomly because he was involved in activities. But he did confirm that the student remains in school. [continues 313 words]
