DRUG TRADE

During the last school year there were about 33 drug-related arrests at the
three high schools. The majority of those arrests stemmed from illegal use
of prescription drugs, which authorities say is a growing problem in the
schools.

The "old drugs" such as marijuana and cocaine are not as dominate in school
as they once were, according to Albert Medina, School Resource Officer
(SRO) at Tellico Plains High School. "It goes through phases," he said.
Medina made three drug-related arrests at the high school last year.

The school resource officers at the high schools cited instances of
students crushing prescription pain pills and snorting the powder which
produces a quick rush.

Hyrdocodone and Xanax are two popular prescription drugs students are using
illegally.

Sequoyah's SRO Randy Kirkland said another current trend is students
crushing and snorting ritalin. Ritalin is often prescribed for children
with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

"Taken by mouth it won't hurt you, but they crush it up and snort it," he
said. As with the pain pills, snorting the powder gives an immediate high.

The students seem to be taking the pills from their parents or grandparents
and selling them for $4-$5 per pill.

SRO Jim Kile filed seven drug-related charges at Sweetwater High School
last year. Four of those were for misuse of prescription drugs.

The other three charges were for possession of marijuana. Kile said with
the marijuana arrests, the student usually had one joint. Some of the
students told him they didn't use marijuana, they had the joint "just for
looks."

He did not have any instances of students selling marijuana on campus.

Last year at Sequoyah, Kirkland filed 23 charges for illegal drug use
and/or possession. "This is the worst year I've had," he said.

Kirkland said most of those charges were related to illegal use of
prescription drugs. Contrary to a rumor that circulated, he said there was
not an overdose at the school, but a student had a severe reaction to diet
pills.

The three officers agree, while the number of drug arrests may seem high,
they represent a minor portion of the school population.

"Ninety-five percent are great kids," said Kirkland. "The others aren't bad
kids, they make bad choices."

In 2000, the Monroe County juvenile court heard 618 cases on 432 children.
According to Beth Stephens, director of juvenile court services, the
referral reasons included two instances of sale of controlled substances,
17 referrals for possession of a controlled substance and 10 for other drug
offenses.

Those cases also included six DUI charges, 13 for possession or consumption
of alcohol and five for public intoxication.

Stephens said a lot of juveniles are referred to the court on truancy
charges, but there is usually "tons of other stuff going on" in their lives.

Kirkland said what is happening in the schools is reflective of problems
off school grounds. "Schools mirror society, it doesn't matter where you're
at," he said.

Kile agrees. "The percentages are way down, but they show drugs are here
just like in society, but we're not being overrun with them." Although it's
not an illegal substance, Kile said alcohol may be a bigger problem for
students.

He said main stream society projects a picture of drinking as a rite of
passage for teenagers. Through music, television, and movies, Kile said
students receive the message "it's okay to drink as long as you're not
doing drugs."

During the recent prom season, the schools presented programs urging
students not to drink and drive.

Medina emphasizes that by driving under the influence people can hurt not
only themselves, but also someone else. "It's hard to forget if you kill
innocent people," he tells students. Losing their license can be a wake up
call for some students. Kirkland said a juvenile charged with an alcohol or
drug offense automatically loses his or her license.

"No questions asked," he said. "I can't preach that enough." Still, he
said, some students are surprised when they end up in juvenile court and
lose their license.

The Monroe County School System has a zero tolerance policy on drugs
including any controlled substance or legend drug. Students found in
possession of drugs are expelled for at least one calendar year. The
director of schools can modify the expulsion on a case-by-case basis.
Students may also be enrolled in the alternative school so they can
continue their education.

The school system gives SROs and school personnel the authority to search
students' vehicles and possessions if there is reasonable suspicion the
student may be in possession of drugs.

Kile said Sweetwater has lockdowns about twice a year when officers and
drug dogs conduct school-wide searches. Prior to the lockdown, Kile
provides an amnesty box where students can place illegal items they might
have without fear of punishment or being questioned.

"That's when we get a lot of tobacco products," he said. No illegal drugs
were found during the last lockdown.

Kile said having an SRO on campus can be a big deterrent for students. "I
get to know the kids on a one-on-one basis and they know I'm watching," he
said.

Kile said the SROs are on campus for security purposes, but also to help
students. They play a key role in educating students about the consequences
of drug and alcohol. "We can teach kids what they can't learn on the
street," said Kile. "We can take our experience and pass it on to them,
give them options and knowledge."

Kile worked in narcotics before becoming an SRO. He periodically teaches a
class on a specific drug such as marijuana, methamphethamine, ecstasy or
cocaine.

Students learn the side effects of those drugs and how using them can
affect their lives in the future.

Because of these classes, Kile said students have confided in him and come
to him for help. The officers say earning the trust and respect of students
helps them do a better job.

"I try to relate to students," said Medina. "Then they'll open up. Respect
them and they'll respect you back."

Kirkland said he wants students to feel they can confide in him if they
have a problem or suspect someone might have a drug or alcohol problem.

"No teenager should have to be in an environment where there is illegal
drug use going on," he said.