DRUG USE UP AT LOCAL SCHOOLS

The number of students caught with drugs more than doubled in
Rockingham County Schools in 2001-2002, according to a school system
crime report.

Overall, school crime rose about 10 percent from 2000-2001, which
reversed a trend of decreasing crime over the previous three years.

There were 64 crimes reported in 2001-02, when the system had more
than 14,300 students. In comparison, there were 58 crimes the year
before.

Despite the increases, crime remains lower than the five-year high in
1998-1999 of 95 incidents.

Reported drug use made up the majority of crimes, rising to 34
incidents from 16 the year before. Most of those cases involved
marijuana, said Judy Fowler, director of middle grades who also tracks
the system's crime reports. A few involved prescription drugs. There
were no cases involving drugs such as LSD or cocaine, Fowler said.

School officials aren't sure why the system has seen more drug use
among students.

Superintendent Walter Bromenschenkel said increased vigilance might be
the reason more drug use is being reported.

The school system has added surveillance cameras and uniformed police
officers. And staff members are better trained to look for aberrant
behavior, he said.

"I think fewer things get past us now," he said.

The system's crime trends are similar to those in schools in
neighboring Guilford County, where crime rose 23 percent overall and
drug use increased by nearly 50 percent.

The report, which is required in North Carolina, is somewhat
misleading this year, however, because three new categories were
added, Fowler said.

The system had two incidents each of bomb threats and alcohol use and
none under burning a school building, which are the new categories.

In Rockingham, the new categories accounted for four of the six
additional incidents, she said. Without those categories, crime rose
by just under 4 percent.

Besides drug use, the system saw increases in two other areas. Robbery
increased from zero to three and assault resulting in serious injury
increased from two to seven incidents. All other areas declined or
stayed the same.

Bromenschenkel said he believes that a new dress code implemented this
year and more surveillance cameras installed in schools will help
decrease violence and crime on campuses.

In 1993, the Safe Schools Act required North Carolina's school systems
to start collecting crime data. A statewide report of all 117 school
systems will be released later this year.

"One of the good things about these reports," Bromenschenkel said, "is
they draw to our attention ... the incidents that do happen. And it
makes us more vigilant."