Pubdate: Fri, 11 Oct 2002
Source: Logan Banner, The (WV)
Copyright: 2002 The Logan Banner
Contact:  http://www.loganbanner.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1640
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

DRUG ABUSE? LET'S HEAR FROM STUDENTS

The Logan Banner would like to know more about what is actually going on 
inside our public school system. As we hear it, drug and alcohol abuse and 
student bullying are on the rise. We have even heard rare cases of teacher 
misconduct. Before something like Columbine comes to our region, we ask for 
your help. Since our board has not yet given us a clear picture of what 
they are doing to irradiate these problems that involve our children, we 
are reaching out to the ones that are most affected - the students. So, in 
order to gain understanding of what the problems are, we are asking for 
students to write us anonymously - we definitely don't want your name - and 
tell us about any specific problems you see, including illegal drug abuse 
at the schools. You don't have to name any names; however, we do invite you 
to expose the circumstances and problems you're aware of. We will publish 
our findings in this newspaper. We encourage teachers and parents to get 
behind this effort and persuade your youngsters to write us. What is our 
real intention? We want to raise awareness of the problems in our county 
public schools. We also want to encourage the Logan County Board to find 
practical solutions - whether it is increased hall monitors, drug and 
character education, security guards, added police surveillance or frequent 
school searches with drug sniffing dogs. Maybe the answer is a combination 
of several programs and aggressive actions. Several of our board members 
have said in the past that they intend to fight this epidemic. The time to 
start is now before we lose anymore of our young people to drugs. Write to: 
The Logan Banner Drug Abuse In Our Schools PO Box 720 Logan, WV 25601 
Please, give your age and the school you attend when you write. Again, we 
do not want your name. Along with your story of the school, we invite your 
suggestions in curbing these problems. Additionally, we invite counselors, 
pastors, community leaders, and teachers to give suggestions of solutions 
to the drug problems in our schools.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager