By Kim Fletcher
An impassioned, and sometimes tearful, group of concerned parents attended an open forum-type discussion on the issue of drugs use in and around Wiscasset High School Jan. 23.
The forum was headed by Wiscasset High School Principal Deb Taylor, Wiscasset Police Chief Troy Cline, and school social worker Lisa Henry, who said the impressive turnout of parents “speaks to commitment.”
Henry said she believes the community is “tired of talking around it – we need to say our youth are experiencing problems with drugs and alcohol. Not all students, but it affects our community,” she said.
Taylor and Cline spoke of a recent canine search that went awry when news the search would happen was leaked. At a school assembly Dec. 19, however, Cline chose to ask students straight forward questions and was pleased with the honesty, but stunned by the answers.
Wiscasset Police Chief Troy Cline speaks to Wiscasset High School students about the impact drugs may have on their lives at an assembly in December. (Kathy Onorato photo, LCN file) |
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During that assembly, students readily confirmed they thought a drug problem existed at the school, that marijuana was “a huge problem at WHS;” that Adderall, Ritalin, cocaine and oxycodone are being used; and some students confirmed witnessing drug deals happening in the school.
For her part, Taylor said individuals in the community are telling her there is a problem of drugs and alcohol in the high school. Taylor said her suspension rate is significantly higher than the previous year; and she’s receiving more complaints than ever before from the community about the behavior of Wiscasset students.
“It is a quantity issue that I’m seeing more frequently and from more avenues,” she said.
Cline said people are taking notice.
According to Cline, Wiscasset is known throughout the state as “Narcotics High.”
“That’s a wrong answer; we’ve got to say the store is closed [to drug use] and we are addressing it [the drug issues] and our communication is constant. We’re going to look into these things: bullying, drugs, and alcohol. We want a DARE program back up again,” Cline said.
He told parents he encourages students to share information with his office, and assures them of his adherence to confidentiality as well, “If I do [divulge information] I’m subject to liability,” he said.
Cline also announced a resolve to work on budgeting for a school resource officer position, one to serve the entire Wiscasset school system. “I’m going to need the entire community’s support for that,” he said.
A few parents said they have observed a “lack of respect; they’re [the students] in your face,” and asked if a resource officer would “fix that problem?”
Cline said resource officers could bridge the gap if the town hires the right person for the job. “We need an experienced officer who understands the gravity and appropriate action in any given circumstance,” he said. “There are times when sitting them down and counseling them with their parents is better than issuing a ticket to court.”
Asked about student behavioral changes, Taylor said she observed apathy in the students.
“From my perspective, I see more an apathy, a lack of passion about future goals; like it’s more of a dulling [of the affect],” she said. “There’s an apathy here; lack of drive. They don’t see a life past what they have now.”
Policy consequences of drug use were discussed, with Taylor saying the existing policy was going to be re-examined and tightened.
However, more than one parent advocated for a zero tolerance approach with drug use as grounds for immediate expulsion from all sports activities, extra-curriculars, etc.
The front line when tackling drugs in the schools is being aware and proactive parents, Taylor and Cline said.
“It is a community problem … if we need help, we should ask for help,” said one parent.
Cline said directly to parents, “Law enforcement and school officials have many limitations but you can search a kid’s bedroom, anytime you want. We empower you all to share information. Talk to each other; know where kids are going. Put egos aside and work together.”
Parents can purchase a drug test, and “do what they want with the information. It is not appropriate for the school to do it,” Taylor said, since drug tests are considered an invasion of privacy.
Many parents contended bullying, drug and alcohol use is a “community culture” that has to change, with a new respect that starts at home.
“If you see something and don’t do something, you’re part of the problem,” Water District Superintendent Chris Cossette said to the audience. “The solution begins with parents in this room and law enforcement on the streets.”
Cossette said he believes it is time for parents to rally, take ownership of the issue, and read through handbooks, increase standards, policies and expectations of students. Students achieve the level of expectations set for them he said.
“We have issues today, and it doesn’t help to say, ‘back in the day.’ Move forward, step up and hold our children accountable,” Cossette said.
Taylor, Cline and Henry encouraged parents to use the school and law enforcement resources, and plan to continue having meetings and workshops to fight drug and alcohol use at WHS.
For more information, contact WHS Principal Deb Taylor at 882-7722, and Wiscasset Police Chief Troy Cline at 882-8202.
