DRUGS, ALCOHOL INFILTRATE SCHOOLS

Some teachers and Board of Education members in the Greater Johnstown
School District earlier this month took a necessary step toward dealing
with drug and alcohol problems among students. They admitted the situation
exists and voiced their concerns in the media.

The issue of substance abuse came up previously when Johnstown police and
the city council wanted to apply for a federal grant that would help put
two police officers in the schools. The school board voted against seeking
the grant, and some local police criticized the board for not recognizing
the drug and alcohol problems.

Since then, some teachers have come forward. They said they regularly
overhear students talking about drinking and using drugs and have had
experiences with students being drunk or high while school is in session.

Twice this school year, music teacher Bill Crankshaw was called to the
hospital to deal with students who drank too much or overdosed on drugs, he
said. Anne King, a recently retired teacher, said she once had an entire
class come back from lunch drunk.

Johnstown teachers say students have fallen asleep or passed out in class
because they are drunk or hung over. An art teacher says mushrooms and pot
leaves are among the symbols students draw the most. School board President
Sharon Ritzmann admits alcohol and drug abuse has been a longstanding
problem in Fulton County, and that hasn't changed.

Finding solutions to substance abuse in school isn't easy. Putting police
officers in the schools may be a solution, depending on the role the
officers play, but the school district and the city have to carefully
consider whether that method is effective and warrants the long-term cost
to taxpayers.

Other ways of dealing with the problem cost little or nothing.

The teachers and school administrators should acknowledge the problem and
express their concerns to parents and the rest of the public. School
district employees who suspect illegal activity should report it to the
administration, which must take immediate action. The superintendent and
Board of Education have to enforce strict policies against the use of
illegal substances. The district should consider using more counselors to
work with troubled students instead of reducing the number of counselors.

Most importantly, parents have to recognize their children's problems and
take measures to stop them. Parents who fail to approach their child's
illegal activity responsibly put more students at risk when sending him or
her to school.

Substance abuse is a problem in all schools, large and small. People should
talk about this issue openly to raise awareness and come up with possible
solutions.