SCHOOL DISTRICT PLANNING TOUGHER DRUG PENALTIES

Show up to school drunk, and sure, a kid would get punished.

But what if a teacher sees a student sip beer across the street before
coming onto campus?

If the Columbia Board of Education adopts a proposed new policy on student
alcohol and drug abuse tomorrow night, students would violate policy if
they try to come to school or school events "soon after consuming"
alcoholic beverages or controlled substances.

Lea Evans, the parent chair of an anti-drug-and-alcohol organization at
Jefferson Junior High School thinks the proposed policy would be a good idea.

"I thought we already had that policy," she said. "Yes, I agree there
should be a policy of no drinking before you come to school or a sporting
event or a concert or school-sponsored anything."

The group Evans co-chairs, Teen Non-Alcohol and Drug Organization, or
T-NADO, offers education and social events for students aimed at keeping
them from using drugs or alcohol.

Though half the kids at school join, she said she knows drinking among kids
is still a problem.

"I don't know if I've heard of kids ever coming to school drunk, but I know
there are some in junior high who drink before football games," Evans said.
"I would assume whatever school they are at, officials would be able to
deal with that."

Board member Elton Fay said he wasn't aware of any specific incidents that
lead to the proposed policy change.

"The problem we have is we don't give breath tests like they do when you
are driving," he said. "But if we know they've been partaking right before
they come onto school grounds, we'd just as soon have them go back to their
parents."

The current penalty for a first offense of possession or attending school
under the influence is 1 to 180 days of out-of-school suspension and
notification of law enforcement officials.

During the 1999-2000 school year, the district reported 56 incidents of
drug offenses to law enforcement officials, according to district records.

The board will also hear reports tomorrow night on safety and security,
instructional media services and English as a Second Language.

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at the board office, 1818 Worley St. Board
members will convene for a pre-meeting informational dinner at 5:15 p.m. at
New Haven Elementary School, 3301 New Haven Road.