A FALL, AND RISE, IN SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Fauquier middle school students are using drugs and alcohol less often than
their peers nationally, but use of marijuana, tobacco and alcohol among
high school students here has increased, according to a survey released
this week by the Fauquier County public schools and the Commonwealth
Alliance for Drug Rehabilitation and Education.

A total of 4,355 Fauquier students in sixth through 12th grades
participated in the national Pride survey, used by Georgia-based Cadre, a
private nonprofit organization, to gauge substance-abuse patterns among
students. Fauquier also participated in the survey in 1990 and 1993, and
Cadre representatives told the School Board Monday that the 1997 findings
are particularly telling.

"Our 1990 study broke down the myth that drugs were not in our community. .
. . In 1993, we were above the national average in drug use. . . . Now, for
the first time, Cadre can come before the School Board and say that we
might have turned the corner," said Cadre member John. P. Waldeck, director
of clinical services at Rappahannock-Rapidan Community Services Board.
"Something is happening with our middle schools that isn't happening
nationwide."

The 1997 survey found that 69 percent of Fauquier high school students
reported using alcohol -- barely below the national average. In middle
schools, however, the figure is 31 percent, well below the national average
of 45 percent.

Last year, 38 percent of Fauquier high school students said they use
marijuana, up from 15 percent in 1990 and 24 percent in 1993. Among middle
schoolers, 9 percent said they had used marijuana -- more than the 8
percent who reported marijuana use in 1993 but less than the 15 percent
national average.

Waldeck said that children often are introduced to drugs and alcohol in
middle school and that the less common use is in that age group, the less
likely it will be when those students reach high school.

Consolidation Arrangement Extended

The School Board voted Monday to continue the three-year-old agreement that
combines some school and general government functions, streamlining
administrative departments and reducing expenses.

A report last month by county finance directors concluded that the
consolidation has saved about $2.2 million. But board member Ernie Gray
cautioned that the report does not "answer all of the questions [or] solve
all of the problems."

"Consolidation was supposed to bring everyone to the same level," said
Gray, adding that general government employees have received more
promotions than school employees. "Hopefully, we have started on the road
to getting all this ironed out."

Now They See It, Now They May Not

For several months, county officials have been predicting that $2 million
in state funding will offset a $1.4 million cut in local school funds in
fiscal 1999.

But after attending the Virginia School Boards Association's legislative
conference two weeks ago, some county School Board members said there is
little comfort left in that notion.

"Contrary to popular belief, the $2 million is not a given," board Chairman
Mary Charles Ashby told budget director Bryan Tippie on Monday. "So don't
count that money until it's in the bank. That money is to be used as an
enhancement . . . not a replacement of [county] funding."

Supervisor Larry L. Weeks (R-Scott) recently proposed a 2-cent increase in
the real estate tax rate and a 1-cent increase in the fire and rescue levy.
If the increases pass, Weeks has proposed using the money to help pay for a
2.5 percent step increase for all government and school employees.

Call It a Half-Day After Midterms

Middle and high school students will get an extra half-day to chill after
midterm exams this year.

The School Board voted Monday to send the students home early on Monday,
April 6, so their teachers will have an extra half-day to tabulate grades
and prepare lesson plans. Students at Marshall Middle School, which follows
the elementary division's calendar, will not get the half-day off.

(c) Copyright 1998 The Washington Post Company