Pubdate: Sun, 25 Feb 2001
Source: Detroit News (MI)
Copyright: 2001, The Detroit News
Contact:  http://data.detnews.com:8081/feedback/
Website: http://www.detnews.com/
Author: Karen Bouffard

DRUG USE SOARS IN FOWLERVILLE SCHOOL

Frustrated School Officials Call On Parents For Support

FOWLERVILLE -- Becca Spragg doesn't take drugs. But if she wanted to 
buy marijuana, she said, she'd be able to find some by the end of the 
school day.

More than 45 percent of Spragg's senior classmates have tried some 
type of illicit drug -- marijuana, cocaine, hallucinogens, 
tranquilizers, sedatives, stimulants, heroin or other narcotics -- at 
least once, according to a Western Michigan University survey.

Results of the Michigan Alcohol and Other Drugs School Survey were 
presented to the Fowlerville School Board last week. The study was 
administered anonymously to Fowlerville eighth-, 10th- and 
12th-graders in November.

"I believe the results of the survey," said Spragg, 17, student 
representative to the school board.

According to survey results, drug use has increased dramatically 
since students were last queried in 1993.

Marijuana was the most widely used, with more than 38 percent of 
10th-graders and 40.4 percent of 12th-graders saying they'd tried it 
at least once. In 1993 it was 17.4 percent of 10th-graders and 25 
percent of 12th-graders. Marijuana use among eighth-graders surveyed 
rose from 13.1 percent in 1993 to 17.8 percent in November.

Use of inhalants, such as nitrous oxide or glue, is also alarming. 
More than 17 percent of eighth-graders, 33 percent of 10th-graders 
and 25.5 percent of 12th-graders said they'd used an inhalant at 
least once.

Educators and law enforcement officials expressed frustration, and 
called upon the community to support the school district's drug abuse 
prevention effort.

"We have the kids six hours a day," Fowlerville School Supt. Ed 
Alverson said. "We provide a climate that we expect to be drug free 
and alcohol free. When they go home and look at the messages on TV 
and MTV, and in the environment, how do we combat that?"

The school district is considering moving a semester-long health 
course now required at the junior or senior level to a lower grade. 
Spragg would like to see that happen. "Waiting until you're a senior, 
they've already made their decision about whether they're going to do 
it," she said.

Fowlerville Police School Liaison Officer Jeff Soli said he was aware 
of an increase in marijuana use. Nine Fowlerville students were 
arrested on drug charges so far this year, he said.

"I knew there'd be an increase, but I'm surprised at how high an 
increase," Soli said. "I don't think our community is different than 
any other community. The use of drugs is on an upswing anywhere you 
go."

Soli advised parents to aggressively supervise kids and to exercise 
healthy suspicion. If parents suspect a child is using drugs or 
alcohol, they can contact him at the school, or call a school 
guidance counselor, then take their child to a doctor or assessment 
center for drug testing.

"Don't take it for granted that if your kids say they're going to 
somebody's house that they're going to be there. Spend time with 
them, do things with them," he said. "And if you suspect something, 
do something about it."

Fowlerville's Parenting Night will be held 7:30 p.m. March 8 at 
Fowlerville High School, 7677 Sharpe.
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