WAUKESHA SCHOOLS DETECT MORE DRUG USE

Waukesha -- Concerned that students appear to be experimenting more with
drugs, the School District is seeking a $158,200 state grant to help
bolster its anti-drug, tobacco and alcohol programs next school year.

"The district is concerned . . . that there is an increased number of
students who perceive the risk of using drugs, alcohol and tobacco to be
minimal," James Haessly, the district's executive director of pupil
services, wrote in an application seeking the funding from the state
Department of Public Instruction.

"The most alarming statistic is that there has been a 4.2% increase in the
number of high school seniors who indicate they use marijuana more than 21
times per year. This translates to 1,087 students in our three high
schools," Haessly wrote.

The 4.2% increase was noted in the results of a 1996 survey of students.
The previous survey had been done in 1993. And the next is planned for
1999.

Haessly also noted that about 20 students have been expelled so far this
year, many for possession of drugs.

Members of the School Board's Curriculum and Instruction Committee are
scheduled to review the grant application during a meeting at 6 p.m.
Tuesday at the Lindholm Building, 222 Maple Ave.

If awarded, the money would almost double the amount the district received
this year under the state's Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse grant. This year,
the district received $85,200.

Some of the money would be used to hire a coordinator to oversee the
district's programs and to improve communication between schools, families
and community agencies with which the district works, Haessly said.

In addition, the funds would be used to increase the amount of time Student
Assistance Program specialists spend helping students with issues related
to drug, tobacco or alcohol abuse. The specialists now work two periods a
day at the high school level and one at the middle school level.

If increased funding is approved, the specialists would be available more
often.