DRUGS IN SCHOOLS MORE OF AN ISSUE THAN PROBLEM

Although results from a 2004 national drug survey show a 9 percent
decrease in illicit drug use among 12 to 17-year-olds, one Henry
County Sheriff's deputy believes people should not get too lax.

"It's not a major problem but ... It's an issue that we need to be
concerned with," Henry County Sheriff's deputy Jimmy Spence said.

Spence is one of two sheriff's deputies who visit Henry County sixth
graders as part of the Junior Deputy program. Discussions of various
topics each month include drug awareness, home gun safety, fire safety
and alcohol abuse.

Drug awareness is this month's topic and alcohol abuse will be next
month's topic.

"It's a whole lot easier to get them to not do it than it is to get
them off of it," Spence said. He said he also visits some eighth grade
health classes.

Spence's concern stems from his various encounters he's had with Henry
County middle school students. If he were to go to a sixth grade
classroom of 30, and asked how many students have tried cigarette
smoking, Spence said three or four hands would go up. However,
alcoholic beverage consumption may offer a different number.

Spence said of the same group, about half of them have tried drinking
an alcoholic beverage, adding that a lot of times parents allow their
children to taste it. Spence's observation is not too far off.
Alcohol, tobacco and marijuana are considered the three gateway drugs
leading to illicit drug use, according to American Council for Drug
Education's Web site.

According to the 2004 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH),
just over 17 percent of the 12 to 17-year-olds nationwide reported in
2004 to using alcohol a month prior to the survey interview, according
to Spokeswoman Leah Young with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration (SAMHSA).

During the same survey, 11.7 percent reported engaging in binge
drinking, while 2.7 percent said they were heavy drinkers. Young said
consuming five or more alcoholic beverages on occasion is considered
binge drinking, and those drinking at least five drinks on five or
more occasions in the last 30 days is considered to be a heavy
drinker. She also said that the rates of alcohol use were all similar
through 2002 and 2003. Alcohol consumption data for 2002 and 2003 were
averaged for Georgia, with and estimated 15 percent of 12 to
17-year-olds reporting they used alcohol in the past month. The 2004
survey results for Georgia will not be released until early next year,
Young added.

Spence said teenagers who desire their Georgia driver's license prior
to their 18th birthday must take an alcohol drug awareness program.
Teens 14 and older are eligible to take the five-day long course,
although it is offered during their sophomore year.

Students are required to attend all sessions and make at least a 70 or
higher on the test offered at the end of the course, Spence said.

"In Georgia, if a child under 21 is caught possessing, purchasing or
attempting to purchase an alcoholic beverage, their license will be
suspended," Spence said, adding that the suspension length depends on
their age.

Regarding illicit drug use, last year, 30 percent of 12 to 17 year
olds nationwide reported they used illicit drugs in their lifetime; 21
percent of that age group said they used them in the past year; and
10. 6 percent said they used them in the past month.

Young said the organization said illicit drugs include marijuana,
cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants, pain relievers,
methamphetamine, sedatives and stimulants. Young said there was a less
than 1 percent statistical decrease between 2003 and 2004.

Just over 10 percent of Georgia youth, 12 to 17, reported at the time
of the survey in 2003 to illicit drug use in the past month. The
70,000-person survey interviewed teens nationwide about frequent drug
and alcohol abuse. The 2004 NSDUH released its findings on the nine
percent drug decrease earlier this month.

Counselor Roderick Head at Stockbridge Middle School said the
knowledge students are receiving about the dangers of drugs is a
contributing factor in the decrease in drug use.

"The schools are definitely focused on making students aware of the
dangers of drugs and in short, how drugs can pretty much ruin their
life," Head said.

Head said the school has monthly classroom guidance sessions where
counselors meet with groups of students and discuss various topics
such as drugs.

The schools also participate in Red Ribbon Week, Oct. 24-28 in Henry
County Schools, which educates students on the importance of a healthy
lifestyle and the dangers of tobacco, drugs and alcohol, Henry County
Schools spokeswoman Cindy Foster said.

Foster said elementary schools primarily participate in Red Ribbon,
where teachers may wear red shirts, classrooms participate in door
decorating contests and students use catch phrases.

While he has not had any personal experience with students using
drugs, Head doesn't doubt that there may be some students who do.
Overall, Head said he's happy with how students are responding to drugs.

"Just in general, based on my experience, students are making good
choices," he said.

Flippen Elementary School counselor Emily Brown said she has seen no
signs of drug or alcohol abuse among students at her school. Brown
said her school participates in Red Ribbon and has a character
building program where students are educated on making good choices.
The school uses a different word each week and students demonstrate a
characteristic of that word. For example, this week's word is
generosity, and students are demonstrating their generosity by giving
a portion of their ice-cream money to a Hurricane Katrina relief fund.

When asked whether drug or alcohol abuse is a problem in Henry County
Schools, Foster said the schools are just a microcosm of society.

"I think it's more of a societal problem. It's not just a school
problem," Foster said.

Foster said the school system has never surveyed students about drug
and alcohol abuse.

At the beginning of the school year, middle and high school teachers
review the student handbook with students, as a way to ensure they
understand the school system's rules, Foster said.

On the high school level, Foster said Interquest Detection Canines
will periodically visit schools searching for illegal contraband such
as drugs and alcohol.

Joseph Williams, assistant principal at Dutchtown High School, said he
believed the canines are a good deterrent. Williams said his school
signed an agreement with Interquest Detection Canines this year.

"Our whole focus is keeping drugs out of the school environment,"
Williams said.