Third in series of 3
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In four minutes, Blaine County school officials know whether a student is using cocaine, opiates, marijuana or methamphetamine.
School officials administer drug tests at school, serving as one component of the Blaine County School District's hard line against student drug use. The district's "no tolerance" policy highlights the need for expanded treatment facilities for young people in the Wood River Valley.
"We are committed to rehabilitating kids, but the community doesn't have the services," said Mary Gervase, Blaine County School District assistant superintendent.
Since the revision of the drug policy in 2002, Wood River High School has shown an increase in drug and alcohol violations. The violations include one positive test in December 2005 for methamphetamine, a drug many fear is gaining in popularity in Blaine County.
In light of the mounting alarm over teen drug use, including the use of highly addictive methamphetamine, school officials agree that the community must expand options for drug recovery treatment facilities specific to young people.
"The school district is part of the community, but not the community," said Jim Lewis, Blaine County School District superintendent.
School policies
For its part, the educational community in the Wood River Valley maintains a strong anti-drug stance.
The Community School, a private school in Sun Valley, prohibits the use of intoxicating substances at school and discourages use outside of school. The school does not administer drug tests or bring drug dogs to campus.
"All drugs are prohibited at school and all school-sponsored events," Headmaster Jon Maksik said.
The Blaine County School District maintains a "no tolerance" policy that bans the use, possession, sale and distribution of illegal substances on school grounds or at school-sponsored events.
In 2002, the district revised its drug policy, implementing greater consequences and increasing policing efforts on campus.
"This drug issue was becoming unmanageable four years ago," Lewis said.
The policy allows school officials to drug test students at school based on reasonable suspicion.
"They know they are going to get busted, or are very likely to be tested," said Tom Bailey, Hailey Elementary School principal.
The test is given upon a student's self-disclosure, parental request or reasonable suspicion.
"They know if we suspect, we are going to follow up," Wood River High School Principal Graham Hume said.
Based on suspicion or disclosure, school officials ask for a urine sample. A urine test can indicate a student's recent habits in relation to four illegal drugs.
School officials believe the test deters teen drug use, serving as a policing measure and as a measure of social support.
"It gives them an extra crutch to say 'no' to their peer group," Lewis said.
Schools also utilize drug-sniffing dogs from law enforcement agencies to search for illegal substances in the hallways, lockers and school parking lots. This school year the drug dogs have visited Wood River High School four times and searched Wood River Middle School once.
"The students always know we are out there watching," said Derek Brown, Wood River High School resource officer.
Surveillance cameras remind students of the no-tolerance policies. Twenty-one cameras digitally record activity on school grounds at Wood River High School and an undisclosed number at the middle school.
"The video cameras tip you off," Lewis said.
Three chances
Students who violate the school district's drug policy face severe penalties, negotiable with a commitment to rehabilitation.
First-time offenders incur a 30-day suspension, which is negotiable. If a first-time offender agrees to drug evaluation and counseling, the individual may decrease their suspension by 15 days. Further reductions to the suspension come if an adult agrees to be involved with the student's recovery and if a student commits to community service.
"When the policy is working right, the student has an opportunity to be in school and to get treatment," said Tod Gunter, Silver Creek Alternative School and Wood River Middle School social worker.
If a student violates the policy due to self-admission, the student will not be suspended, but is required to receive help.
"Our policy is set up to force kids into treatment," Bailey said.
Second and third violations carry more severe punishments.
Treatment options needed
The treatment-based approach highlights the need for facilities specific to young people in the valley.
"There is definitely a lack of treatment in the valley," Bailey said.
Bailey said outpatient treatment centers cannot afford space or workers for facilities. He said to fill the void, the valley's residents need to become more involved.
"We realize this has to be a whole community approach," Bailey said.
School officials concur that the community needs to develop resources. Suggestions among educators include a safe place for adolescents to transition back into the community after they have attended rehabilitation programs. Other ideas include neighborhood watch groups, peer counseling efforts, and strong adult mentors.
Many say the effort begins with parents.
"I think all children are searching for boundaries. They need places in their lives where 'no' means 'no' and there is no negotiation," Lewis said.
Maksik addressed parents of Community School middle and upper school students in a Dec. 1, 2005, letter.
"One of the important responsibilities schools and parents share is helping children to make wise decisions concerning alcohol and drugs," Maksik said.
The letter encourages parents to talk to children about confronting drugs and alcohol in a non-school social setting.
Others hope parents who have addicted children will share their firsthand experiences with other families.
"There isn't one sector of the community that can fix this. It has to be a joint effort," said Barge Levy, Silver Creek Alternative School director.
