Pubdate: Wed, 25 Jun 2008 Source: Daily Sentinel, The (Grand Junction, CO) Copyright: 2008 Cox Newspapers, Inc. Contact: http://www.gjsentinel.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2084 Author: Cassie Hewlings NUMBER OF DRUG-RELATED HIGH SCHOOL EXPULSIONS INCREASE BY HALF IN DISTRICT 51 Although the overall number of students expelled in District 51 schools decreased for the 2007-08 school year, the number of high school students expelled for drug-related offenses increased by 41 percent. The number of expelled students dropped from 116 to 95 in 2007-08, with almost every category of expellable offenses - alcohol, tobacco, assault, dangerous weapons, robbery, destruction of school property and others - decreasing except drugs and other controlled substances at the high school level. Twenty-two high school students were expelled for either distributing controlled substances or possessing them as a second offense in 2006-07. That number jumped to 31 students last school year, according to the district expulsion report. Deb Bailey, who helped establish the Opportunity Center, an alternative school for expelled students, in the 2008 spring semester, said the majority of drugs are prescription and over-the-counter drugs brought from home, not illegal substances. "It's not what you would have thought of as a controlled substance, but it is still detrimental," Bailey said. "It's like medical cabinet stuff." Drugs are part of the "non-negotiables," Bailey said, meaning disciplinary action is required whether the student has illegal drugs or a normally legal substance. According to Colorado statute, schools must recommend for expulsion any student that distributes controlled substances on school property. The school board modified that policy to include provisions for possession of drugs. On first offense, District 51 students caught possessing controlled substances are recommended for suspension. They are recommended for expulsion on the second offense. The district implemented a positive-behavior-support system four years ago, Bailey said. Expulsions have dropped steadily since then, but the numbers are cyclical, and some areas increase while others decrease each year, she said. The system is meant to reward students for good choices and teach acceptable behavior rather than only punish bad decisions. It has been successful, Bailey said, adding the number of office referrals in one middle school fell from 1,200 to 600 in one year. Whatever the reason, high school students expelled for drugs did not get the message. "We've become much more clear on our drug policy," Bailey said. "Sometimes kids just make poor decisions." Drug-related expulsions are up, but so are the number of students reporting their classmates, Bailey said. Almost every student expelled for a drug-related offense was reported by another student, she said. "Peer pressure works both ways," Bailey said. "Students are proud of their school and don't want that around." - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart