TEENS TOLD DRUGS, BOOZE RISK GRADUATION

BREWSTER, N.Y. -- Brewster High School seniors got a stern warning this
week from Superintendent Mark Lewis. "If you get caught with any drugs or
alcohol on campus, you won't graduate with your classmates in June."

The warning came Friday, the result, Lewis said, of a larger than normal
number of superintendent's hearings this year for students apprehended with
drugs and/or alcohol on campus.

Lewis said the district takes a hard-line approach to drug possession and
use by students.

"When a student is found with illegal contraband, he or she will be brought
to a superintendent's hearing. During the course of the formal hearing, if
the student is found guilty, the teenager will be suspended from school
long-term," he said.

For high school seniors, suspension means no graduation.

Putnam Sheriff Donald Smith, whose department has made more than 80 drug
arrests since Jan. 1, also urged teen-agers to stay away from drugs and
alcohol.

"We were all young and foolish at one time. Teen-agers have their whole
lives ahead of them, and to get drunk or high behind the wheel of a car --
which can easily result in tragic circumstances not only for the driver but
for innocent bystanders -- is traumatic for the entire community," he said.

Lewis pleaded with the upperclassmen. "Do yourselves a favor from now until
the end of the school year. Stay away from drugs and alcohol and under no
circumstances bring any illegal contraband onto the school campus. If you
are caught, you will not graduate from Brewster High School on June 22,
2002. I can't make it any clearer than that," he said.

This week, a first-year middle school teacher resigned after he was
arrested by police along Route 6 in Southeast. He was charged with drug
possession. Lewis called the incident "most unfortunate."

Smith echoed the superintendent. "The arrest cut short a young teacher's
career. It saddens me greatly. The message must be echoed loud and clear.
Don't do drugs in Putnam County and refrain from all underage drinking as
well," he said.