DOGS POSSIBLE TO BAR DRUG USE AT HIGH SCHOOL

BERNARDSVILLE - While he won't publicize when it could happen, the top
administrator for the Somerset Hills Regional School District said Monday
that officials were "seriously considering" using drug-sniffing dogs to
deter substance abuse at Bernards high School.

School Superintendent Peter Miller said Monday, May 24, that a public
discussion on the matter could occur as early as the next Board of Education
meeting, to be held at 8 p.m. on Monday, June 7, in the high school library.

Miller declined to say if the dogs would be used this term, or if board
members would wait until the start of the 2004-05 school year in September.
"I wouldn't want to ruin the spontaneity," he said.

At their Monday, May 17, meeting, board members said that they would
consider using dogs to sniff out drugs in students' vehicles parked in the
high school lot, providing Board Attorney Phil Stern determines they can
legally do so.

On Monday, Miller said Stern told him the district "has the right" to use
the dogs.

Asked if the dogs could be used to sniff out drugs in vehicles parked
off-campus, Miller said "sure," but refused to elaborate.

Pre-Prom Warnings

Parents who attended the May 17 meeting urged use of the dogs.

Their requests closely followed an incident at the high school on April 8,
in which two high school seniors charged with possessing marijuana on
campus. On May 5, the board suspended both for the rest of the school year.

Parents also wanted the board to warn students of the consequences of drug
abuse prior to the high school's senior prom, to be held tomorrow, Friday,
June 4. However, this newspaper could not confirm by its deadline on Tuesday
if and when, such a warning would, or could occur. A call placed to
Principal Lynn Caravello was not returned.

In an effort to raise community awareness about the use of drugs among
students, the Somerset Hills Municipal Alliance and Youth Services
Commission will sponsor a presentation at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 1, at
the North Maple Inn at Basking Ridge.

Deputy Chief Detective Norman Cullen of the Somerset County Prosecutor's
Office will conduct the hour-long adults-only event. His topics will include
current drug and alcohol trends in the community, how drug and alcohol abuse
can be prevented at home, and how community members can help anti-drug use
efforts.

On Monday, Somerset County Prosecutor Wayne Forrest said a pro-active
approach to drug education was responsible for low levels of student drug
use throughout the county.

He added that, as a result of school resource officers and the county's Drug
Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program, students have a better
knowledge on how to just say no.

He added that his office was also doing "a pretty good job" educating
parents, teachers and law enforcement officers.

Forrest said the key to that success was in keeping everyone constantly
informed about the ever-changing drug and alcohol issues that affect a
community.