DISTRICT NIXES USE OF DRUG DOGS

Board: 'No credible evidence' of serious problems BERNARDSVILLE -- While they agreed it was a "serious national problem," members of the Somerset Hills Regional Board of Education last Wednesday said that drug use at Bernards High School still was not serious enough to warrant the use of drug-sniffing dogs.

Instead, the board approved amending its current student drug policy to include incremental punitive measures for dealing with substance abusers and drug dealers on campus.

Board President Peggy Marino said dog-use was eschewed because "we don't see any credible evidence of a serious drug problem in school during school hours."

She called on parents to be more attuned to what their children did after school and on weekends.  "We can control what happens at the prom but not what happens after the prom at the shore," she said.

Superintendent of Schools Peter Miller said he agreed with the board's analysis.  "The important thing is we have taken all the steps to implement a search when and if one is needed," he said.

Public reaction at the Aug.  25 meeting was mixed.  One parent said the board had not done enough while others urged caution.

William Mosca of Bedminster presented a 60-signature petition in which parents advocated the use of random testing and drug dogs.  Mosca is a member of the Coalition of Concerned Parents, an hoc group that created the petition.

Mosca referred to the April 10 death of 17-year-old Daniel Boehmer of Far Hills.  According to the medical examiner's report, Mr.  Boehmer, who was a junior at the high school, died as a result of a cocaine use and an enlarged heart.

"Many failures led to Danny Boehmer's death, but his school failed him as well," said Mosca.  "This policy is a start, but you can do more."

George Cowan of Bernardsville urged the board to be careful but to act "expeditiously."

"I lost a daughter to alcohol and drugs," he said.  "I don't know what you'll do, but it's all around us."

James Kavanaugh of Bernardsville cautioned the board against turning any policy into a "witch hunt."

If dogs were used to inspect lockers, he said, they might detect residue left by the locker's previous owner.  "What if the wrong child is accused?" he asked.  "The children's reputation must be considered.  We want to be sure the right child is dealt with, and in the right circumstance."

'No Growing Problem'

According to the district's substance abuse policy, originally adopted June 1996, dog searches may be conducted should the district superintendent deem one necessary.  Despite recent parental pressure, however, the board has determined a search is unnecessary at this time.

According to board member Madelyn English, discussions with school administrators in Somerset, Hunterdon and Morris counties revealed that searches, conducted between three and 10 years ago, "were not effective." Only one district conducted more than one search, she said.

In addition, board members decided that the number of students found under the influence at school was too low to conduct the searches, which can be time-consuming and disruptive.

According to the board, only two of four students suspected of being "under the influence" tested positive in 2002.  Six out of nine suspected students tested positive in 2003, and four of seven suspected students tested positive this year.  Of those four, one had a legal prescription for drug use.  Except for the prescription drug, all but one of the positive tests involved marijuana and/or alcohol, said English.

Instead of advocating a dog search, the board is taking other pro-active approaches.  Board member Jerry Dorr of Bernardsville said the high school's open locker policy has been dispensed with.  Locks have been provided, and lockers were disinfected to assure none contained any drug residue.

The board was also developing a brochure about the district's drug education programs, and hoped to work with parents and police to develop a list of "safe houses" to discourage substance abuse in the community.

Incremental Penalties

The board's amended policy, which was unanimously adopted last Wednesday, establishes guidelines for three levels of substance abuse.

Each level is separated into criteria for first-time offenders and repeat offenders.  The levels range from first time substance abusers to those who distribute drugs on campus.

Students found to be abusing drugs face an out-of-school suspension of 10 to 135 days or, in the case of those distributing drugs, expulsion.  All must submit to a drug treatment program and undergo individual and family counseling, and urine testing for up to two months after they return to school.

With the exception of first-time offenders caught under the influence, students will be reported to the police, face a board hearing, and meet with the school's student assistance counselor.

Besides random drug testing and drug-sniffing dogs, the coalition's petition also asked that the board adopt a comprehensive drug education program and treatment for substance abusers.

"If this program saves just one life, it will have been more than worth the cost," said the petition.  "If this program helps turn around just one life, it will have been more than worth the cost.

"There is only one action we cannot afford: to maintain the status quo.  Our children -- these young adults -- expect us to step up to this challenge.  If we fail, we will only erode their respect for us, the community at large, the school and, ultimately, themselves."

Resource Officer

The group also urged the re-establishment of a resource officer at the high school, a position which the school has not had since Bernardsville cut its police department budget two years ago.

At that time, an officer served as a part-time liaison at the high school, and served as officer for the Somerset County Drug Abuse Resistance Education ( DARE ) program at Bernardsville Middle School, Far Hills Country Day School, and the School of St.  Elizabeth's, all in Bernardsville.

Last Wednesday, Bernardsville Councilman Joseph Rossi suggested that the board include the position in its 2005-06 budget rather than have it funded by district municipalities.  "It would avoid a turf battle," he said.

His suggestion was firmly rebuked by board member Roseanne Mirabella of Bernardsville because the position had nothing to do with education.

"That's a police function and I, for one, would vote against funding a police officer," she said.

After the three-hour meeting, the board issued a statement reiterating its position about substance abuse.

"We agree that drug and alcohol use is a serious national problem, as well as a local community problem," it said.  "As part of the Somerset Hills community, we are committed to educating our students about the dangers of substance abuse and to ensure a drug- and- alcohol-free environment on school premises, in the drug-free school zone, and at all school-sponsored events."

Through its research, the board said it "found no credible evidence of a pervasive or growing drug and alcohol program during the school day and at school-sponsored events."

The statement further said that the district's substance abuse policy was revised "to provide a more supportive and educational environment, as well as to clearly articulate penalties if a violation occurs."