SCHOOL TO SHARE DRUG SURVEY

FORT EDWARD - Fort Edward school officials want the community to see
the results of a survey that earlier this year questioned high school
students about their use of drugs and alcohol.

The results, school officials say, indicate that a problem exists.

"I think we definitely have enough of a problem to address it and
enough of a problem to make the community aware of what's going on,"
said Fort Edward Board of Education President Dan Boucher.

As a result, the survey's findings will be shared with the public at
a special meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. today at the Fort Edward High
School auditorium.

School officials said they want to raise awareness and receive
suggestions from the community on how to handle the issue. Parents
and community members are encouraged to attend.

Drug and alcohol use among students has been a concern in the Fort
Edward Union Free School District.

Random drug testing on athletes began a few years ago, and parents
discovered photos on the Internet showing Fort Edward students with
alcohol at a home earlier this year, spurring some residents to
approach the board.

Superintendent Stan Maziejka said he was not shocked when he saw the
results of the survey.

"Looking at our statistics compared to the county and nationwide,
it's pretty obvious to myself that we do have an issue. We need to do
all we can to educate kids and parents and come together to develop
solutions and alternatives."

Maziejka did not say how many students admitted in the survey to
using drugs or alcohol, but said the Council for Prevention of
Alcohol and Substance Abuse Inc. will make the data public today.
Earlier this year, the board agreed to have the survey done through
the council, which offers the questionnaire on drug and alcohol use
every two years for schools in Warren and Washington counties.

David Saffer, the council's executive director, said most schools
release part of the survey to the community.

Boucher said the district last did a survey a few years ago.

Under the latest survey, Fort Edward students in grades 7-12 were
given the questionnaire at the school. The results are confidential,
but the board unanimously agreed to make the totals public after
discussing the idea with town and village officials.

The district already has scheduled a national speaker to talk with
students in October about adolescent brain development and drug and
alcohol use.