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.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart