FORUM - ALCOHOL TOPS LIST FOR TEEN SUBSTANCE USE

ASHEBORO - Alcohol remains the top substance which local teens use on
a regular basis.

Marijuana is also high on the list, followed by "some pills, some meth
and date rape drugs," reported Asheboro Police Chief Gary Mason.

District Court Judge Brad Long, who presides at juvenile court
proceedings, agreed. "Our No. 1 problem is alcohol; marijuana is a
growing problem with kids."

Both men, who have children at Asheboro High School, spoke this week
at the first in a series of Asheboro City Schools Parent Forums.

Also addressing the topic, "Legal Issues for Parents and Teens," was
Chief Court Counselor Sandy Key who works with juveniles and their
parents through the local court system.

Mason vowed to go after adults in the community who provide "safe
havens" where local youth gather and drink Friday and Saturday nights.

He said the youth include not only Asheboro High School students, but
also teens from Eastern Randolph, Randleman and Southwestern Randolph
high schools.

Mason has met with both Randolph County Sheriff Litchard Hurley and
N.C. Highway Patrol First Sgt. Douglas Monroe to address the problem.

"We want to aggressively take action," he said about efforts to stop
adults, some of whom are well known in the Asheboro community, from
providing these "houses of safe haven" or own the land where teens are
allowed to drink.

Judge Long said adults providing alcohol to underage minors face Class
1 misdemeanor charges, according to state statutes.

If convicted, the first offense brings a 45-day suspended sentence;
one to four previous convictions results in a maximum 45-day active
probation; and five or more convictions results in a maximum 120-day
sentence in a Department of Correction facility.

"A judge can still suspend the sentence," he added.

Along with these sentences are mandatory minimum court requirements:
First conviction, a $250 fine plus 25 hours community service; second
or more convictions, a $500 fine plus 150 hours of community service.

"That's a lot of community service," Long noted about the 150
hours.

Mason pointed out that drugs are also becoming a serious problem in
the community and law enforcement officials are able to seize
individuals' property.

"We may not be able to hold them in jail, but we can seize the drugs
and houses and cars. That's how to get their attention," Mason said.

Just over 20 people attended this first Parent Forum; most were school
employees. Notices of the forum, prepared in both English and Spanish,
were sent home via students to all Asheboro City Schools' parents.

Mason criticized the "apathy on the part of our adults" in the
community who are "sticking their heads in the sand" and not
recognizing there are drug problems in the schools.

"I'd be a liar if I said there were no drugs at Asheboro High School.
I'd be a liar if I said they're not coming on middle school campuses,"
said Mason, adding: "These are issues that are real."

He referred to a recent incident in which a motorcyclist died. "An
individual chose to run from police. Tonight he's in eternity. He was
not from Asheboro City Schools, but could easily be one of our children."

Mason said that some Asheboro teens - including Hispanic, black and
white - are traveling to other cities like Burlington and Lexington
where they're involved in criminal activities and "come back to
Asheboro to live quietly." He added that gang activity is also on the
rise in the community.

The local police work closely with school officials to remedy the drug
problems, bringing in drug-sniffing dogs to search lockers. He said a
lot of students are "street-wise" and carry drugs on them or in their
backpacks; the search of students in this area is left to the schools.

"We all look at legal ways to maintain safety," Mason
said.

During her presentation, Key talked about the juvenile justice system
which handles delinquent youth, ages 6-16, and undisciplined youth,
ages 16-18, who have committed crimes.

Working with parents, the victim and others, the juvenile court
counselors recommend a course of action that could include a contract
which if followed could result in a record being expunged.

She said about 20 percent of the 150 youth now under court supervision
attend Asheboro City Schools.

"Parents have a responsibility and kids should know what's expected,"
Key said.

"Your involvement in your child's life contributes to the success of
your child's life," she told parents.

Charles Spivey, city schools' director of special programs, said the
forums began because of parental concerns regarding alcohol use and
drugs.

Future Parent Forum topics include: "Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other
Drugs, Help and Resources" to be presented by the Partnership for Drug
Free North Carolina on Jan. 10, 2005; "Bullying, Violence and Gangs"
to be presented by the Center for the Prevention of School Violence on
Feb. 21, 2005; and the final forum to be presented April 4, 2005, on a
topic requested by forum participants.