
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, October 4, 1995                   TAG: 9510040081
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: S.D. HARRINGTON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

SALEM'S DRUG-ALCOHOL POLICY FOR SCHOOLS RAISES QUESTIONS

Salem's move to a tougher drug and alcohol policy hit a speed bump Tuesday night after parents and the school superintendent raised concerns that the stricter policy wouldn't offer enough rehabilitative options for first-time offenders.

The School Board passed the tougher policy on first reading in September with no opposition from board members or residents. But the board voted Tuesday to table the policy until the concerns could be addressed in a work session.

Superintendent Wayne Tripp said the proposed policy - which, in essence, eliminates second chances for students caught using or possessing alcohol or a controlled drug - could conflict with attendance regulations.

Under it, students caught using or possessing drugs or alcohol the first time would face expulsion, a penalty now given to first-time drug distribution offenders.

Under the current policy, first-time offenders are suspended for five to 10 days.

"Any suspension right now is unexcused attendance," Tripp said. "Students can't make up that work."

Tripp said the new policy may not give students the chance to recover academically.

Parents also showed concern publicly for the first time since the issue was raised in August.

"It seems to put the student in double jeopardy with the attendance policy," said Cindy Neathawk, parent of three Salem teen-agers.

Other parents stressed that school-funded intervention programs were not available.

Tripp, who said the number of students involved in drug offenses this year is almost the same as last year, said he would like to see some type of substance abuse counselor working with Salem schools.

Although a date was not set for the work session, School Board Chairman Walter Franke said he would like to see teachers, parents and students involved in the discussions.

by CNB