SUMNER OFFICIALS CLARIFY SCHOOL POLICY ON DRUGS

SULLIVAN - In an effort to clarify Sumner Memorial High School's current
drug and alcohol policy, school officials have taken a fine-tooth comb to
the policy's wording, trimming away statements they believe could lead to
confusion among teachers, parents, students and law enforcement officials.

Sally Leighton, the school's principal, said Friday that the school board
approved changes to the drug and alcohol policy in December after seeing
other schools in Hancock and Washington counties struggle with parents and
students over the exact requirements of their policies. The changes to the
policy were made, Leighton said, "so that we were clear as to what our
[policy] did say."

The policy now covers students involved in all extracurricular activities,
not just athletic teams. And while students had previously signed contracts
that stipulated they would avoid drugs and alcohol during a particular
season, they now sign one annual contract that Leighton said covers all
activity seasons and interim periods.

The revised policy also states that the high school students are
representatives of their school on and off campus, and their behavior,
especially when it warrants the attention of law enforcement, will be taken
into consideration at school. For those who violate the policy, Leighton
said, a system is in place in which first- and second-time offenders are
dealt with differently, and a counseling program is mandated for those who
are caught with drugs and alcohol.

The revised policy also makes it clear that a student who simply abstains
from using drugs or alcohol while at a party where the substances are
present isn't an acceptable form of behavior. If a student is in a
situation where drugs and alcohol are present, and knowingly remains there,
Leighton said, then the student could be subjected to a disciplinary action.

Leighton said that she and other staff members went from class to class
explaining the revised policy in detail to every student, and that every
child was required to take the policy home to their parents to review and sign.

Leighton stressed that the revised policy isn't an attempt to clamp down on
the students, but rather an effort to prevent any future problems that may
arise from the drug and alcohol policy. "We're not going to be police or
principals 24 hours a day." Leighton said.