UFRSD makes strides toward drug-free schools
New report shows substance-abuse incidents have decreased
BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP Staff Writer
Incidents involving substance abuse decreased in Upper Freehold Regional School District (UFRSD) schools last year, but those involving violence increased, according to a recently released report.

The UFRSD provided its annual report on violence, vandalism and substance-abuse incidents in the schools at the Nov. 7 Board of Education meeting. The report reflects on incidents that occurred during the 2006-07 school year.

Superintendent of Schools Richard Fitzpatrick said the report focuses on less than 5 percent of the school district's student population. He warned community members against making generalizations about all students based on information provided in the report.

"We have kids who come in every day and do a great job that often get painted with the same brush," Fitzpatrick said. "We have kids who really care and take pride in what they are doing to learn and to become good citizens. We want to make sure we keep that focus, and we don't want people to be disillusioned."

The report states that during the last school year there was a total of eight incidents involving substance abuse, 34 incidents involving violence, 11 incidents involving vandalism and one incident involving a weapon.

Of the incidents involving substance abuse, one occurred in the elementary/middle school. Of the incidents involving violence, 28 occurred in the high school and six took place in the elementary/middle school. Of the 11 incidents involving vandalism, one occurred in the elementary/middle school. The weapon incident, involving a student who had a knife, also took place in the middle school.

When compared to the report for the 2005- 06 school year, the number of substance abuse incidents in 2006-07 had decreased by 11. In 2005-06 there were 19 incidents of reported substance abuse at the high school and none reported at the lower grade levels.

Violent incidents doubled during the 2006-07 school year, with only 17 reported incidents involving violence the previous year. Vandalism incidents increased by 11 from the 2005-06 school year, with no reported incidents involving a weapon in 2005-06.

Of the substance-abuse incidents in 2006-07, five involved suspected marijuana use that was confirmed and two involved suspected marijuana and cocaine abuse that were confirmed. There was also an incident in which just cocaine use was suspected and confirmed, as well as two incidents where students were found in possession of illegal drugs in which the police were notified.

The report also states that 22 students had been sent for drug screenings in 2005- 06, 10 of whom tested positive. The previous year's report stated that seven students had been screened and four tested positive. Prior to that, in 2004-05, 37 students had been sent for a drug screening and eight tested positive.

The incidents involving violence included 13 simple assaults, 10 fights, one aggravated assault, seven threats and three harassment/bullying incidents. The police were involved in seven of the violent incidents that took place in 2006-07.

The vandalism incidents consisted of five involving damage to property and six involving theft. Of the theft incidents, five took place in the cafeteria and involved items worth less than $10.

In an effort to further decrease substance abuse incidents in the schools, the school district has implemented drug policy changes that provide for more in-school suspensions, the limitation of extracurricular activities for those caught using drugs and alcohol, and more screening evaluations with the Student Assistance coordinator. The possibility of random drug screenings for all students will be explored and reported on in January, according to high school officials.

To further quell issues involving substance abuse, violence and vandalism, Allentown High School has created a Parent Academy through the PTO that will focus on the changing family and raising healthy children. Academy presentations will address the use of drugs, alcohol and steroids along with communication among parents, students and the school.

In addition to placing resource officers in the schools, the New Jersey State Police are also presenting different programs to students to discourage violent and drug- and alcohol-related activities. The schools bring in various other speakers throughout the year as well to discuss with students safe driving and driving laws, signs of suicide, gang awareness, juvenile detention, date rape, violence and drug use.

Beyond various support groups, the high school also offers its students the Lifesavers Club, which is a drug- and alcohol free activity group, as well as programs on smoking, newsletters, bulletin boards, and a Student Assistance counselor who meets with students regarding drug, alcohol and tobacco use, fighting and violence.