Drug-related discipline actions increase at high school

Morton High School principal Dennis Johnson sees a silver lining to last week’s arrest of three students for possession of marijuana.

After a canine search at the high school that resulted in two arrests, along with the arrest of another individual following a tip from a fellow student, curiosity arose from several parents wondering if there is an increasing problem with drugs at the high school.

There has been an increase in the number of students caught with or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. But, it does not necessarily mean more students are abusing substances, Johnson said.

The increase in the number of students caught could be attributed to increased monitoring at the high school or it could be a result of increase in usage, he added.

“We’ve had more incidents of drug- and alcohol- related discipline actions,” Johnson said. “Is that because usage is up? Maybe. Is it because we’ve been more alert? Maybe.”

The high school is searched using canines about four times a year at random times, said Morton Police Department deputy chief Craig Hilliard.

“We continue to see drug arrests,” Hilliard said. “The mere arresting of these students does not mean there is an increase in drug abuse.”

“Cannabis use is the most prevalent drug we are seeing,” he added. “But, the amount of its usage cannot be determined by the number of arrests.”

Johnson said last week’s hit on two vehicle’s was the first in a long time. To have two arrests in one search is rare and may have caught some people off guard, he added.

“We routinely do drug dog (searches),” he said. “They come in at our request.

“The dogs are effective. They find what is present,” he added.

It is an indication that the high school is being proactive in its efforts to control drug and alcohol abuse in the school, Johnson added. Ideally, however, he said the focus should be placed on prevention.

“Our goal is and should be prevention,” he said. “I’d like to reduce the number of drug-related incidents.

“We would like to be pro-active and find the kids on the fence,” he added. “We are trying to educate kids and give them an opportunity to find things more positive.”

The high school’s new drug-testing policy has been successful in its first year, Johnson said.

“Drug testing has gone very well,” Johnson said. “Activity participation has not gone down. More students are comfortable reporting that somebody is not following the rules.”

Along with drug testing, the high school has had several security-related changes in the past year that have changed the environment. Along with a new ID card system that requires students to use cards when entering or exiting the school, the school’s open-campus lunch policy changed, keeping freshman and sophomore students indoors during lunch hours.

During lunch hours, students are being monitored, which has drastically improved the awareness of teachers and aids, Johnson said.

“We record when they leave and when they return,” Johnson said. “Each student, when they leave for lunch, has to face a teacher or an aid.”

Johnson said staff members at the high school strive to create a positive environment to prevent students from turning to drugs and alcohol. As he said at a Potter Parent Power meeting, parents need to be proactive in monitoring their children as well.

“It’s really important for parents to maintain open lines (of communication),” he said. “Be supportive and ask the questions. It makes them think twice.”

Though he said last week’s arrests were unfortunate, they may provide a clearer picture to other students of the consequences of bringing drugs to school.

“It’s unfortunate when kids make those choices,” Johnson said. “It’s very difficult for a son or daughter who gets disciplined for a drug- or alcohol-related offense.

“Kids are kids and they are still going to make those choices,” he added. “We will continue to do things that deter those choices.”