Drug Use at Wiscasset High School Prompts Policy Revision

At a Wiscasset High School assembly Dec. 19, the vast majority of Wiscasset High School students raised their hands when Wiscasset Police Chief Troy Cline asked them, “How many of you think a drug problem exists at this school?”

As students were in the gymnasium talking with Cline, a drug search was being conducted by K9 units from the Maine State Police, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and Sagadahoc Sheriff’s Office. According to Wiscasset High School Principal Deb Taylor, the search went well and no drugs were found during the search.

Based on complaints he has received from parents whose children have shared concerns, Cline said marijuana is a huge problem at Wiscasset High School. Cline also said he has had reports that Adderall and Ritalin being misused. Adderall and Ritalin are generally prescribed for hyperactivity and can be “crushed up and snorted for a high,” Cline said.

“My goal in coming to speak with students was to get a feel for what is actually going on,” said Cline.

When students were asked by Cline which drugs were around the school, many agreed marijuana, Adderall and Ritalin. A few students even suggested cocaine and oxycodone were being used. One student shouted “Marijuana in a milk carton.”

“Very creative,” responded Cline.

Wiscasset High School students listen as Chief Troy Cline shares information about the impact drugs may have on their lives. (Kathy Onorato photo)
 

At least 10 students admitted to having witnessed what they believed to be drug deals happening in the halls of Wiscasset High School. “That’s enough for me,” Cline said. “I am here to help.”

Cline encouraged the students to talk to police, teachers, administrators, parents and to each other if they have knowledge or concerns about possible drug activity at the school.

“How would talking to each other be helpful?” one student asked.

“There is both good and bad peer pressure,” Cline said. “Convince each other taking drugs is not the right thing to do.”

Students should not consider themselves “a rat” for reporting suspected drug use or distribution of drugs, Cline said. “Drug dealers don’t care about you,” he said. “You make them money, that’s all.”

Cline told students they should not accept drug use as normal behavior for anyone. He encouraged students to take pride in their school.

“You see all these banners hanging up, they mean nothing if your school developed a reputation of having serious drugs problems,” he said.

After a drug search at Wiscasset High School Dec. 19, Detective Scott Hayden of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office introduces his K9 partner Koda to students. (Kathy Onorato photo)

According to Taylor, in November four students were suspended when they violated the school’s substance abuse policy during a school dance.

The existing policy mandates a 10-day suspension for a first offense, which can be reduced to five-days if the student agrees to five days of sobriety support and five sessions with the Student Assistance Team.

A student involved in a suspension for substance abuse is also automatically suspended from any extracurricular activity for four weeks.

For a second offense, students are suspended for the full 10 days and must meet with the Student Assistance Team and must undergo substance abuse counseling.

Taylor said of the four students suspended in November, not all were first-time offenders.

Along with the consequences of what the school imposes for drug or alcohol possession, Cline told students possession or distributing drugs by a juvenile could also carry legal ramifications as well as possible college or military rejection.

Last year Cline said he was called to four or five drug related issues at the high school. So far this school year he has made one juvenile arrest for possession of marijuana.

Cline said the school would benefit from having a resource officer and he plans on pursuing funding for one. “The visible presence would be a deterrent,” he said.