CAMPUS DRUG BUSTS SHOW RISE

Brunswick County Schools Considering Some Solutions

Brunswick County Schools continued to see an increase in the number of
students caught on campus in possession of a controlled substance last
year, according to a state report released this week.

The 2003-04 Annual Report on School Crime and Violence shows a
statewide trend of an increasing drug problem.

"We're all trying to come up with a solution to this," said Shirley
Babson, chairwoman of the Brunswick County Board of Education. "It's
been a concern of mine for a long time."

In Brunswick County, 74 students were caught with a controlled
substance last year. Five years ago, 44 students were caught.

Babson said a committee will meet in the near future to examine the
problem.

One option being considered to curb the problem is rewarding students
who voluntarily allow themselves to be tested for drugs and are found
to be clean, she said. That would primarily be used at the
middle-school level, she said.

Drug tests for high-school students is another option, she said.
That's being done in other parts of the state.

The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County school system started testing
students who participate in athletics and other extracurricular
activities this year through funding from a federal grant.

Drug possession was by far the largest reported crime in Brunswick
County Schools.

The only other crime that came close was possession of a weapon,
excluding firearms and explosives, with 41 reported incidents.

There was one report of possession of a firearm and three reported
assaults.

The problem with drugs is they are most frequently brought on campus
to be sold, said William Lassiter, school safety specialist for the
N.C. Center for Prevention of School Violence.

"We find possession of drugs as one of the precursors to [violent]
incidents, also. When a child brings $2,000 to $3,000 in drugs on
campus, they're most likely going to bring something to protect that
investment," Lassiter said.

The Brunswick County Schools system has been working with the
Sheriff's Office, Social Services and court officials to find
solutions to the drug problem and make parents more aware.

Awareness by teachers and school officials also could be one of the
reasons more students are being caught, Lassiter said.

"I think we're doing a better job of catching kids. We're starting to
send the message that if you bring drugs on campus, you're going to
get caught," he said.