DRUG USE AFFECTS MORE THAN HIGH SCHOOL'S REPUTATION

Andover High does not have a drug problem, Principal Peter Anderson
says. And to prove it, he ordered up a police drug sweep.

The principal was concerned that there were rumors around town that
drug use at the high school was a big problem. Ten people had been
arrested one recent weekend in Andover in drug-related incidents. Six
of the 10 were Andover High students.

So Anderson and police Chief Brian Pattullo made the decision to
conduct a drug sweep Oct. 24 at the high school. The goal, Anderson
told our reporters, was to combat the "innuendo, gossip and rumors
that drug use at Andover High School is a problem."

That seems a bit of an extreme reaction. There are some rumors about
drug use, so students and teachers are confined to their classrooms
while 15 drug-sniffing dogs and their handlers search random
classrooms, students' lockers and vehicles?

The sweep found very little. A small "personal-use" quantity of
marijuana was found in a student locker. That matter is being handled
by school administrators. But in the parking lot, the dogs reacted to
another student's car. Police found five bags of marijuana inside.

[redacted], 17, [redacted], was arrested and charged with possession
of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of marijuana
with intent to distribute on school grounds.

So police found what they allege is a dealer and a user in the drug
sweep. Yet they and Principal Anderson say this is proof that there
is no drug problem at the high school. How many sellers and users
does it take to constitute "a problem"?

We have to concede that not much was found at the high school. But
the findings, along with the previous six arrests in one weekend,
would indicate that there should be concerns about drug use by Andover teens.

And where that drug abuse takes place -- in the corridors of the high
school or at weekend parties -- should be less of a concern to
Andover parents, police and school officials than the fact that it is
happening at all.

The fact is that some Andover teens are using drugs. What parents and
public officials do to discourage the town's children from heading
down that path is far more important than any effort to rescue the
high school's reputation from rumors.

That's where the focus of public officials needs to be.