Pubdate: 9 Mar 1999 Source: Orange County Register (CA) Copyright: 1999 The Orange County Register Contact: http://www.ocregister.com/ Section: News, page 1 Author: John Gittelsohn-OCR LAGUNA MULLS MOVE FROM 'ZERO TOLERANCE' Education;First time drug or alcohol offenders would get therapy and stay in school under a new policy to be discussed tonight. Laguna Beach-The school board is considering a therapeutic approach to keep first-time drug or alcohol offenders on campus and in class, a contrast to the recent get-tough trend of "zero tolerance" for such crimes at schools. "I'm sure it's the most lax policy in this county," said Eileen Walsh, a board member who has been working on a new drug and alcohol policy that will be discussed at a meeting tonight. Laguna Beach reports nearly twice the rate of drug and alcohol cases as other Orange County unified school districts, with nearly four incidents per 1,000 students. The policy would require students to serve "in school" suspensions with extra detention periods rather than spending a week at home, as is currently the case. Athletes would be required to practice with their teams, but would be prohibited from playing in games. Actors in school plays would have to rehearse, but would be banned from the stage. However, a performer's suspension could be delayed by the school board if the student's absence would hurt the show. Community service and counseling - for both students and parents - would also be required. Most Orange County school districts require out-of-school suspensions and transfer to another school for the first offense of using drugs or alcohol. Newport-Mesa Unified, for example, transferred a student whom police caught off campus with a marijuana pipe in his pickup. As a one-high-school town, Laguna Beach has nowhere to transfer students. Laguna's school board wants to approve the policy this spring so it can take effect by fall. The proposals have drawn support and criticism. Theater teacher Mark Dressler disagrees with the suggestion that an actor's suspension can make or break a play. "What about a quarterback on the football team?" said the director of the district's award-winning drama department. Several community members lauded the intent of the new policy. Susan Jacob, executive director of Brandy's Friends, a treatment center for adolescents named after a Laguna Beach High graduate who died of cocaine and alcohol abuse, said students using drugs and alcohol need structure instead of being turned loose during a suspension or expulsion. "Expelling kids doesn't do anything but move the problem," she said. "It's only about barring a child from healthy activities, and what good is that going to do?" Greg Wolfe, a consultant with the state Department of Education's Healthy Kids Programs, said studies have found that therapy works better than punishment among beginning users. "Any opportunity to connect to others - to adults, to activities, to healthy behavior other than just removing a student from school - is good," he said. The 2,500-student Laguna Beach Unified School District reported 10 incidents of student drug or alcohol use in 1997-98. One student was expelled. It had the highest rate of such offenses among Orange County's 11 unified school districts, with 3.94 incidents per 1,000 students. The Orange County average was 1.99 per 1,000. The county's three high school districts - Anaheim, Fullerton, and Huntington Beach - reported higher rates of drug and alcohol use. Impetus for the policy changes came amid reports that some Laguna Beach drug or alcohol users were not punished. One group busted for drinking spent their five-day suspension vacationing in Palm Springs, Walsh said. "That's at least Laguna lore," she said. "There's a culture of it being party time in Laguna. You look around and see consequences aren't applied, and I think this works against the policy. I hope this (new policy) is a better deterrent and allows us to get involved with at-risk kids sooner." Laguna Unified's Proposed Policy First Offence On-campus suspension for up to five days,with student attending regular classes but under supervision during lunch and breaks. 20 hours of commuity service. Can rehearse and train for sports,performances and other extracurricular activities.School board can postpone suspension if student plays a key role in a drama production. Student and parents and parents or guardians required to undergo counseling. Student referred to Laguna Beach Police Department or peer court. Second Offence Mandatory five-day on-campus detention. School board can expel,transfer student out of district,assign student to continuation school or other alternative program. Refferred to police department or peer court. The meeting begins at 7p.m. at Laguna Beach Unified School District headquarters,550 Blumont St. For more information,call (949)497-7700. - --- MAP posted-by: Mike Gogulski