DRUGS DECLINE IN DURHAM SCHOOLS

Fewer students were caught with controlled substances last year than
the year before

DURHAM - Fewer illegal drugs showed up at Durham's
schools last year than in the previous year, a decrease of nearly
one-third, according to a report released by state officials this week.

In 69 instances last year, Durham students were caught with controlled
substances, down from 102 incidents the year before, the report shows.
Controlled substances include narcotics such as marijuana and
unauthorized prescription drugs.

The decline follows a national trend, said Tina Ingram, security
director for Durham's schools.

Crime in Durham's public schools is down overall also, from 293
reported incidents two years ago to 286 acts reported last year,
according to a state report.

School officials credit a district-wide increase in awareness and
safety for the dip in crime.

More weapons and firearms were seized in Durham's public schools last
year than in the previous year, too, likely because of the increased
use of metal detectors, Ingram said.

While metal-detector sweeps are common at high schools, they were
introduced in Durham's nine middle schools only last year, she said.

Two years ago, 138 weapons, including five firearms, were seized on
school grounds and on buses, reports show.

Last year, that number grew to 166 weapons, including six
firearms.

In addition to metal detector checks, the most common way school
officials find out about weapons at school are through student
reports, Ingram said.

"I do believe that students, because of recent events, want school to
be a safe place, too."

Schools are focused on making sure students find a trusted authority
to contact in cases like this, including the sheriff's deputies who
work in each middle and high school, Ingram said.

Though crime in Durham's schools declined slightly, the district's
rate per 1,000 students still floats slightly above the state average,
the report shows.

In Durham, there were more than nine incidents per 1,000 students in
the 32,000-student district. Statewide, there were just under eight
incidents per 1,000 students, the report shows.