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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, October 25, 1995                   TAG: 9510250048
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-4   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                LENGTH: Short

PUPIL EXPELLED AFTER BRINGING DIET PILLS

The Henrico County school division expelled an eighth-grader who brought some of his mother's caffeine-laced diet pills to school and shared them with his sister and cousins.

Everett Wade, 13, ran afoul of the school system's ``zero tolerance'' policy, which was strengthened this year to toughen penalties for distribution or sharing of contraband.

Supporters say the policy sends a clear message that drugs in any form will not be tolerated. Critics say the policy is a sledgehammer approach that goes beyond reason and affords little leeway.

``We're talking about a good kid'' who made a mistake, said his mother, Bonnie Wade of Highland Springs. ``All he wants to do is go back to school. What am I to do for his education? We're a family that lives paycheck to paycheck, and we have no money to buy ourselves out of this.''

Everett took nine Heads Up pills from his mother's purse and brought them on Sept. 12 to Fairfield Middle School. School officials learned of the incident the next day.

Everett was suspended for one month. His sister and cousins were suspended for 10 days.

His case went before a closed session of the School Board on Sept. 28, where he delivered an essay acknowledging his error. He received notice of his expulsion Oct. 13. His parents can petition the School Board in six months for readmission.

by CNB