LAKE STEVENS SCHOOLS TACKLE STUDENT DRUG USE

Officials Turn To Prevention Programs And Drug-Sniffing Dogs But Don't Rule
Out Drug Tests.

LAKE STEVENS - Drug-sniffing dogs are coming back, and the district will
hire a second drug and alcohol counselor.

But mandatory drug tests for many Lake Stevens High School students aren't
in the picture, at least not anytime soon.

Lake Stevens School District leaders since spring have looked for ways to
crack down on teenage drug and alcohol use.

After a series of community talks, they've settled on more time-honored
prevention programs, which use anonymous referrals through counselors to
get teens help.

But an idea that would require urine tests of all students who participate
in extracurricular activities could resurface. Several principals and
counselors remain interested in the idea.

"Drug culture has a real impact on a school climate," Superintendent Dave
Burgess told about 40 people, mostly school staff, at a meeting Wednesday.
"Perhaps the biggest loss of all is we see lost potential in our children."

The district will spend an estimated $100,000 to improve prevention efforts
at the high school this year. That will include hiring an additional
counselor and creating a more formal prevention program.

Middle and high schools also will beef up drug and alcohol education across
subjects.

And after a one-year hiatus because of cases pending in federal courts,
dogs will be brought back on campus to sniff near students' cars for drugs
at random times this year.

The larger message is that parents and others in the community need to see
this as their problem, and not just that of "the drug guy," said Steve
Pitkin, the high school's drug and alcohol counselor. "We're all a part of
the solution and have different roles to play."

Few parents have participated in the community meetings.

"I think most parents in this community are in denial. 'My kids don't do
that,' " said Gary Marquez, a parent who attended the meeting.

"It's hard enough to talk to your child about anything," said Brad Schultz,
another parent. "Parents aren't cool. So it makes it real tough."

Ideas discussed to help the effort included building a skateboarding park
and requiring parents to volunteer at schools.

Most people commenting at the forums and in an online survey opposed
widespread drug testing. Schools can always require a test if they suspect
a student of using drugs, but they can only issue blanket tests of students
who participate in voluntary programs, such as alternative schools or sports.

Several administrators say such testing is a good prevention tool when the
focus is on positive consequences, such as treatment.

"We really give the kids an excuse, if they're wavering, not to use drugs,"
North Lake Middle School Principal Gary Taber said.

Prove Alternative High School this fall started requiring all students who
enroll to take a urine test for drugs. Weston in Arlington is the only
other alternative high school in Snohomish County to do so.

Prove counselor Carrie Schamens said there was a small drop in
applications. But the switch has had mostly positive effects, she said,
including students who voluntarily admitted a problem and are now getting
treatment.

"It's been a complete shift in terms of atmosphere on our campus," she
said. "It's amazing to sit in on a classroom, and nobody's high. ... I'm
really thrilled and proud."

Sandra Kelly, a Lakewood School District employee who oversees the
Northwest Substance Abuse Prevention Cooperative, foresees a push to study
drug-testing options through federal grants.

In the 35 districts she works with, only Burlington currently has mandatory
tests of students in extracurricular activities.

"So many times kids think we don't care, that they're invisible," Kelly
said. "We're going to pay attention, and then we're going to do something
about it."