SCHOOLS SEE INCREASE IN PRESCRIPTION DRUG MISUSE, MARIJUANA USE

The number of drug incidents in Cleveland County Schools reported to
law enforcement officials increased from 24 two years ago to 42
during this last school year.

Burns and Crest high schools experienced large increases. Crest went
from two reported incidents in the 2004-'05 school year to 12 in
2005-'06. Burns went from six in 2004-'05 to 15 this past school year.

"I wouldn't say we have a large and increasing drug problem," said
Burns High School Resource Officer Cpl. Robby Barr. "I think we're
just more aware of it. I'd say half of the cases at Burns involved
the misuse of prescription drugs, while the other half was marijuana.
We've set a bar this year, and we'll continue our anti-drug efforts next year."

Crest Principal Roger Harris said most of his school's cases involved
marijuana. Both Barr and Harris credited students for coming forward
and telling adults about other students having drugs at school.

"All of ours came from student tips," Harris said. "It's commendable
that our kids don't want that junk in our school. We're not going to
brush it under the rug and hide it. Next year I want to bring the
police dogs in more and continue to let students know we're open,
receptive and supportive. I want Crest to continue to be a big
neighborhood watch."

Shelby High went from having three drug incidents in 2004-'05 to one
this past school year. The school's former resource officer, Det.
Sherdala Wheeler, said the Shelby Police Department took the dogs
through Shelby High in 2004-'05 looking for drugs, but the dogs never
searched inside the building this past school year.

Shelby High Principal Dianna Bridges credited her staff's proactive
supervision in keeping incidents down.

"We always have our eyes wide open, and it could be a totally
different story next year," Mrs. Bridges said.

CCS Interim Superintendent Steve Borders said he is concerned about
drugs in schools.

"The role parents play is huge in this area," Borders said. "We also
need to work with the faith-based community to help with the fight
against drugs."

Tips For Parents To Protect Kids From Drugs

High School Resource Officer Cpl. Robby Barr's five tips for parents
to keep their kids drug free:

- - Be a parent. Set guidelines and restrictions and enforce them.

- - Be a part of their lives and aware of what they're doing and who
they're hanging out with.

- - Throw away any old or expired medicine you may have.

- - Keep count of the medicines you do have so you'll notice if any is
ever missing.

- - Keep medicine in places where they are not as available to children.