ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, December 13, 1996 TAG: 9612130087
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: S.D. HARRINGTON STAFF WRITER
Former Salem school teacher and local golf star Penny Stallins admitted Thursday to a drug addiction that she had hidden from family, friends and pupils for years.
She taught health and physical education classes at Andrew Lewis Middle School and Salem High School until 1995 - classes that included drug resistance lessons.
"I've used drugs while I've taught others not to use drugs," an emotional Stallins said in Salem Circuit Court.
But the 45-year-old Stallins - who was convicted in October of charges for possessing amphetamines and cocaine and possessing marijuana with intent to distribute - will have another chance to teach children to stay away from drugs.
Circuit Judge G.O. Clemens sentenced Stallins to three years in prison, but he suspended the sentence to 10 days in jail.
Clemens then diverted the 10 days in jail to 10 anti-drug speeches she must give to youth.
Stallins still faces jail time for a conviction in Botetourt County. She pleaded no contest in November to a charge there of possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
She will be sentenced in Botetourt County Circuit Court in January.
Stallins testified Thursday about a battle she's had with drugs since her early 20s. She gave into peer pressure and tried marijuana first, she said. Then, about 15 years ago she tried cocaine. She got hooked.
In June, she got caught.
Stallins was arrested during a sting operation in the parking lot of a Botetourt County Food Lion. After questioning at the Botetourt County Sheriff's Office, Stallins led law enforcers to her Salem home. There police found small amounts of cocaine and amphetamine and less than 4 ounces of marijuana.
Stallins admitted that she used cocaine even on Oct. 31, the day she pleaded no contest in Salem Circuit Court.
"Once I got in trouble, I found out that the craving was still there," she said. "It's a struggle. I'm clean and sober now. I have to take it one day at a time."
Stallins is enrolled in an outpatient substance abuse program at Lewis-Gale Medical Center that meets three days a week.
"It's my own fault. I was weak," she said. "I had a dirty little secret and I'm terribly regretful.
"I'm tired of living a lie and I'm tired of living against my own values."
Friends and relatives testified on behalf of Stallins - including her mother, her neighbor in an affluent North Salem community and an assistant principal at Salem High School.
They said they were shocked when they learned of Stallins' drug charges.
Commonwealth's Attorney Fred King said he was satisfied with the sentence. He had recommended a two-year prison sentence, suspended after she served three months in jail. But he recommended that the case be considered by a diversion program that screens offenders for alternatives to prison, such as drug treatment and community service.
Stallins - who won many Roanoke Valley golf championships until arthritis and other problems disabled her - said she believes the testimony of her life could benefit Salem's youth.
"I love Salem kids and I think those kids will still listen to me because they know I still do care," she said.
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