SIX FISHER STUDENTS CITED IN DRUG CASE

A task force made up of community members has been formed to address the
problem of teen drinking and drug use, and not a moment too soon.

Several middle school students were recently caught in possession of
marijuana in a case that demonstrates the need for further prevention and
vigilance.

Police cited six Fisher Middle School students as a result of an
investigation conducted by the school: five for possessing less than 1 ounce
of marijuana, the sixth for the felony of furnishing marijuana. The students
were 12 and 13 years old.

According to Fisher Principal Ken Lawrence-Emanuel, the school had received
a student tip about drug possession among certain groups of juveniles.

In response, administrators on the afternoon of Jan. 14 detained three
students, one of whom was already on active probation. Although
Lawrence-Emanuel declines to say which actions administrators took, he said,
"It is the policy of the school, when we receive a tip of reasonable
suspicion, to start an investigation, which may include a search."

"We take appropriate action when the situation warrants it,"
Lawrence-Emanuel said.

"The school does have the authority to search them if they do so desire,"
said Los Gatos­Monte Sereno Police Sgt. Kerry Harris.

Police were then called to the campus, where they searched the students. On
the person of the 13-year-old on active probation, officers found marijuana
cigarettes, loose marijuana, rolling paper, pipes and other paraphernalia.

"The children were interviewed and it was determined that one of them was
holding it for the others because word had gotten out that this particular
group was going to be searched," Harris said.

Police also determined that three other students had been in possession of
drugs but had handed it over to the 13-year-old. All six were cited and
released to their parents and face court dates.

Lawrence-Emanuel said the school is required to suspend or expel the
students; if one of them is found to have sold drugs, the student will
definitely be expelled. The principal himself, however, will make the
recommendation of repercussions to the school district board.

Drug use at Fisher is heavily discouraged, Lawrence-Emanuel said. The school
has prevention measures, education built into the curriculum and
enforcement, and it participates in Community Against Substance Abuse
activities such as Red Ribbon Week.

"For the most part, the parents see that we are very vigilant,"
Lawrence-Emanuel said. "School activities always involve a 'drug-free'
message."

While the school does its best, some parents say the best measures are
parental guidance.

"In this day and age, the parents allow their children more freedom, or too
much freedom," said Fisher parent LuAnn Flechsig. Flechsig also said the
parents impose restrictions on school administrators.

"How can you complain about drugs and not give schools the authority to nip
it in the bud?" Flechsig said.

Flechsig said she was once in a store with her teenage daughter and smelled
pot on some children whom her daughter said were peers. "I'm aware that
there are drugs in the middle school," Flechsig said.

"I don't want to pass blame as much as I feel sad that it's happening," said
Fisher parent Chandini Stanley. "To me, it's just a shame if that's what
society's come to."

Stanley agrees that people need to be more involved in their children's
lives and said she is "glad that the school is cracking down on it--to me,
it's a necessity now in society."

While Harris said it is rare for police to cite such young children for drug
use, "it's not an entirely unusual occurrence."

Harris said adults in the community want to intercede in substance abuse for
youth of any age, but finding middle school students who use marijuana "is a
primary concern."

The police investigation is continuing to ascertain the source of the
students' drugs.