MONARCH HIGH STUDENTS HIP TO PERILS OF ECSTASY

Classmates Turned In Student With 26 Pills; Several Others Face Marijuana
Charges

BOULDER -- After 12 assemblies, five expulsions and one death related to
Ecstasy, the drug was found on Monarch High School's campus Tuesday
morning. A student found with 26 pills was arrested with four others.

But school officials say students are catching on that the drug is
dangerous: They aren't buying it, and their quick cooperation with
authorities shows they won't tolerate drugs on campus.

"Having youngsters cooperate with the administration shows kids want to
have a drug-free campus," Principal Bill Johnson said Thursday.

The first to inform on the alleged Ecstasy dealer were three students
caught smoking marijuana on campus during school. In addition to the 26
pills, the alleged dealer had $600 in cash on him, although Superintendent
George Garcia, Principal Bill Johnson and others said the dealer complained
of slow business.

In January, an Ecstasy buy in a Monarch bathroom led to Superior teen- ager
Brittney Chambers taking the drug at a party, then slipping into a coma for
six days before dying. Chambers' brother said at the time that drugs were
plentiful on campus, a characterization many students resented.

This time, they did something about it, said student Nadine Motaweh.

"I think that's why the students told on them," said the 16-year-old
senior. "I think it's awesome."

Johnson said the student caught with the cash and the drugs was in an
obvious dealing situation that, by state law, mandates an expulsion of up
to one year.

Three others charged with possession of marijuana, and another suspected of
distribution of marijuana, face discipline, plus a sixth student not
arrested but suspected of marijuana use. Johnson said a school attorney is
assisting in the case, and the students' fates should be determined in two
to three weeks.

Reporters descended on the campus parking lot Wednesday to ask students
again whether their school had a drug problem. No more so than any other
school, they said, although Motaweh said they expect to get slapped with an
unfair label again, and for the issue to die in a month.

"Everyone was like, gosh, we gotta go through that again," she said. "It's
what we're known for, unfortunately. But we don't want this to be how
people remember us."