SUBSTANCE ABUSE RISES AMONG BAY STUDENTS

Whitefish Bay -- A survey of Whitefish Bay students shows "there is a
growing substance abuse" problem among teens that high school principal
Neil Codell termed a "continuing epidemic."

The survey, part of a national project known as PRIDE (Parents Resource
Institute for Drug Education), was voluntarily completed by 746 students in
the sixth through 12th grades. The current enrollment of the high school is
833; the middle school's is 634.

The survey asked whether students had used a substance one or more times
during the past year, but did not attempt to determine frequency of use.

Among the findings:

For seniors, 58.6% reported they had used cigarettes, an increase from
46.3% in 1993, the last time the survey was conducted. Use of tobacco was
higher in all grade levels, compared with the results of a previous survey.

Alcohol continues to be the drug of choice among students, with 72.4%
saying they had consumed beer, and 64.1% saying they consumed liquor.

49.3% said they had used marijuana, 6.3% cocaine and 13.8% reported using
hallucinogens.

The survey indicated the vast majority of drug and alcohol use does not
occur during school hours but on weekends and holidays.

Tom Dewing, the coordinator of the district's alcohol and drug program,
said the results are generally below national averages. However, use by
seniors of cigarettes, marijuana and beer was somewhat above the national
average.

"We don't stick out like a sore thumb," said Dewing.

Although 92.4% of the students said their teachers talked to them about
alcohol- and drug-related issues often, only 15.1% said the same was true
of their parents.

Police Chief Gary Mikulec, whose department runs a DARE program for middle
school students, sees the lack of communication at home as a problem.

"People must understand that DARE is not a project that is presented and is
finished," Mikulec said.

"It is part of a process of education. It might begin with DARE, but
parents have to carry the load. If they don't, these kids won't remember
anything by the time they get to 11th or 12th grade."

School principal Codell listed a dozen steps the district has taken to
fight drug and alcohol abuse. He noted that the district has applied for
state funding for a part-time drug and alcohol coordinator who would serve
as a liaison between the community and schools.

The rising numbers do not mean the programs are not working, he said.

"It's working better than doing nothing," Codell said.

Some parents have complained that Cahill Square, a park where students
congregate across the street from the school, may be where some of the
substance-abuse activity is going on.

Mikulec said officers patrol the park daily during the lunch hours and
after school. Last year, the department cracked down on underage cigarette
smoking in the park.

Citations for possession of controlled substances were given to eight
juveniles in the village last year. Three of those went to Milwaukeeans,
who were driving through the village.

Mikulec also noted there had not been a single bust for an underage
drinking party in about a year.

A teen drinking party last year generated publicity when a father initially
refused to cooperate with police. At the time, Mikulec complained that a
"network" went into action and students were advised by parents or lawyers
not to cooperate with police.

"That generated a lot of discussion," Mikulec said. "I think it raised
public awareness."