ANGLE: DRUG POSSESSIONS AT FCHS MOSTLY PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS

The increase in the number of drug cases at Franklin County High
School in the past school year was the result of more students
bringing prescription and over-the-counter drugs to school, not the
possession of drugs like cocaine or marijuana, according to Steve
Angle, student services manager.

"There has been an increase in the number of students who bring
prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications from home to
school," Angle said.

Students bring pills and prescriptions that might have been written
for their parents, brothers, sisters or other relatives, he said.

Sometimes, students will give or sell the pills to other students, who
think the pills will make them high, Angle explained. Students will
bring all types of pills, even heart medicine, because they think it
will provide a high.

The number of incidents of student possession of drugs increased from
14 to 26 during the past school year.

Angle said parents can help prevent prescription and over-the-counter
drugs from being brought to school by making sure they are kept in a
secure location.

Students are prohibited from having prescription or over-the-counter
drugs in their possession while they are at school.

Students are required to take all medications to the school clinic and
take them under the supervision of clinic personnel.

Angle's statistics on the drugs were included in the Safe and Drug
Free Schools Annual Report, which was recently presented to the school
board.

The Safe and Drug Free program is designed to prevent violence in and
around schools, and strengthen programs that prevent the illegal use
of alcohol, tobacco and drugs.

Angle told the school board that there has been an overall 18-percent
decrease in all types of offenses, including alcohol, tobacco, illegal
drugs and weapons in county schools.