Pubdate: Wed, 04 Jan 2006
Source: Idaho Mountain Express (ID)
Copyright: 2006 Express Publishing, Inc
Contact:  http://www.mtexpress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2296
Author: Megan Thomas, Express Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

METH ALSO THREATENS PRE-TEENS

Middle school students sometimes party with high school students in 
the Wood River Valley.

"Its not unusual to see middle school kids at high school parties. 
It's accepted. It's common," said Tom Bailey, Hailey Elementary 
School principal and former Wood River Middle School principal.

He is not alone in his observation. School officials say pre-teens 
are exposed to drugs and alcohol long before their high school days.

A number of school officials interviewed about teen drug use point to 
the social anomaly that welcomes pre-teens to teenage events.

"You will have seniors partying with seventh-graders," said John 
Blackman, Wood River High School vice principal.

The open invitations can introduce adolescents to illegal drugs 
before their high school days.

"Our middle school kids are exposed and have access to these things," 
Bailey said.

According to Tod Gunter, Wood River Middle School social worker, 
drinking appeals to middle school students because the habit 
symbolizes adult behaviors.

"Going to a party and hanging out with high schoolers, drinking and 
using (drugs), makes them feel more like they belong, makes them feel 
like they are not middle schoolers," Gunter said.

Educators say young teens access drugs and alcohol through 
connections to the high school social network.

"I think some of our older kids aren't being good examples to the 
younger kids," Blackman said.

The network allows younger students, particularly young girls, to 
call older students to access illegal substances.

"There is a connection between eighth- and ninth-grade girls being 
able to access drugs and alcohol from junior and senior boys that are 
interested in something other than drugs and alcohol," Gunter said.

Asked about the extent to which middle school students use 
methamphetamine, Gunter said he sees child protection issues related 
to parental meth use, rather than usage among middle school students.

According to Wood River Middle School Principal Fritz Peters, middle 
school drug use is minimal.

"I don't feel there is a big drug problem, or any drug problem at 
all," he said.

The school's discipline reports show drug use at the Hailey-based 
middle school is declining. The school reports one drug violation, a 
prescription medicine, to date this year. Last year saw one 
infraction. Ten drug violations occurred during the 2003-2004 school year.

Peters attributes the decrease in drug use to the enforcement of 
policies, more supervision and greater consequences.

More supervision comes with surveillance cameras installed at the 
school during the 2004-2005 school year. Peters declined to say how 
many cameras are at the school.

Evidence of heightened attention came the first week in December, 
when a drug dog made an inaugural visit to the campus. During the 
visit, the dog did not locate any drugs.

Peters said the results validated his feelings.

"I think the community does need to increase the awareness. I just do 
not see it here at the middle school," he said.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman