Pubdate: Tue, 17 Sep 2002 Source: Bristol Herald Courier (VA) Copyright: 2002 Bristol Herald Courier Contact: http://www.bristolnews.com/contact.html Website: http://www.bristolnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1211 Author: CARRIE CANNADAY BRISTOL VIRGINIA SCHOOL PANEL LOOKS AT SYSTEM'S ROLE IN DRUG FIGHT How can students be kept from using drugs? Should expulsion rule over suspension when student drug offenders are caught? Those were just two of the questions tossed around at a Monday night meeting of the Bristol Virginia School Board. According to Patty Bowers, director of student services and special education, the school system's role in keeping kids off drugs boils down to "prevention and intervention" and "balancing consequences and student needs for education." Bowers presented a sample drug and alcohol program to the school board, outlining ways the school system might deter students from using drugs. She also offered examples of how the school system might discipline pupils caught with drugs. "The generation we have before us is the most educated generation (when it comes to) substance abuse," Bowers said. She added that through research she and others involved in developing a new drug and alcohol program believe that the school system needs to combat student drug use through "discipline built on increments" and by giving "lots of attention to intervention." To accomplish those goals, Bowers suggested a program that would set up a structured system of discipline for students who violate school substance policies. Such a system might include suspensions of undetermined lengths on a student's first offense and expulsion options for multiple offenses. Board member Jaymie Derden seemed to agree with a structured disciplinary process. "We need to take positive measures to show that we mean what we say ... that we're not just saying, 'yeah, we want to keep kids off drugs and alcohol,' " she said. On the matter of intervention, Bowers' presentation included the option of offering students who violate drug and alcohol policies treatment from individuals outside the school system. No action was taken regarding the program. Board members said they will continue discussing it at future meetings. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart