SCHOOLS RELY ON DRUG TESTING, CURRICULUM

Sometimes children are visual learners.

That's why, when it came to teaching children about the dangers of
chewing tobacco, Monrovia High School administrators took a more
unusual approach last year.

Mike Springer, assistant principal at Monrovia High School, said the
school held an assembly featuring a guest speaker who had started
chewing tobacco at the age of 12. Now, in his mid to late-40s, the
man's reflection in the mirror serves as a daily reminder for his mistakes.

"He had to have basically half his face removed," Springer said. "So,
visually, it was something where the kids could see: OK, this is what
can happen to you."

A survey released by Indiana University indicates the use of smokeless
tobacco is up among students throughout the state. Many Morgan County
high school officials say it is still a prevalent problem in the
classroom, and the schools are taking steps -- both preventative and
consequential-to reduce that issue.

In addition to speakers, Monrovia High School has a drug-testing
policy that allows the school to test students for suspicion of drug
or alcohol use. Springer said testing is probably the most effective
tool in preventing drug use.

"It lets kids know if you come to school high, drunk, or whatever, we
can test you if we have reasonable suspicion," he said. "And I think
that's helped a lot."

Greg Silver, drug education coordinator for Mooresville schools, also
said he thinks drug testing is one of the most effective methods of
preventing drug abuse.

"We want them to get to an older part of their life, meaning past high
school, pretty much drug-free," he said. "And then they're wiser and
can make better decisions for themselves."

He said for students who had already been caught using drugs, the
school offered reduced punishments for those who sought counseling
through an outside source.

Rick McQueen, safe and drug-free schools consultant for Martinsville
schools, said the school corporation has tried to fight smokeless
tobacco both in the schools and in the community.

"We work with a lot of the Indiana tobacco program prevention groups,
and we have a strong group here locally, which was instrumental
probably in getting some of the tobacco restrictions for our eating
establishments," he said.

McQueen said the school also emphasizes the use of after-school
programs to keep children busy and away from drugs, and has built-in
drug education and awareness efforts in grades K-12.