STUDENT LEADERS: DRUGS, ALCOHOL AN ISSUE AT AHS

Arlington - Members of the Student Advisory Council called for town
and school officials to better address drug and alcohol problems at
the high school.

Seniors Kostya Gorbunov and Sean Conroy attended the Board of
Selectmen's meeting on Monday to request the board's help in tackling
issues they found most lacking -- from substance abuse to underpaid
teachers to equality between sports teams. However, they mainly
focused on drugs and alcohol.

"Our basic suggestion is for improvement and a lot of changes in
school programs," Gorbunov said. "Anyone who wishes to participate in
drug use [in Arlington] can."

Conroy said the advisory council has met with the School Committee
about what changes would benefit kids at Arlington High School.

"A lot of discussion focused on prevention," he said. "There are
instances in school today where teachers don't know how to address [a
situation] with the just and correct punishment."

Conroy suggested working together with police, faculty and town
officials to determine a way to provide a penalty for engaging in
high-risk behavior, such as drinking or smoking, without jeopardizing
someone's future. He said students don't take health education
seriously and also asked the board to consider having a drug-sniffing
dog investigate students' lockers.

Selectman Diane Mahon praised the students for their honesty and
acknowledged that the lack of activities for students at night and on
weekends may be one reason why some kids choose drugs and alcohol.

"We often find that students at the high school live the experience so
they can provide us a way to have students take us seriously," Mahon
said.

Gorbunov said having the town and schools turn on the pressure against
substance abuse would help, but ultimately, the choices are personal.

"When students have free time, sometimes they do stuff they probably
shouldn't," he said. "I think the problem could be solved if students
have better engagement of their time."

Selectmen Chairman Annie Lacourt said the community has applied for a
federal Drug-Free Schools grant and hopes to use the funds to support
current programs at the middle school level to inform students at a
younger age of the dangers of drug and alcohol use.

High school Principal Charlie Skidmore said the presence of police at
the school, namely Officer Bryan Gallagher, has cut down the
availability of drugs at the school. While he questioned the extent of
the problem, he said student input was important to sending a clear
message to the community.

"Even though we like to hear students' voices, they tend to be prone
to exaggeration," Skidmore said. "We're thrilled the boys bring
their voice so we can all speak as one voice."