Teens' medicinal pot not OK on campus
District has zero-tolerance policy
By Soumitro Sen, soumitros@theunion.com
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12:01 a.m. PT May 16, 2007
Medical marijuana recommendations for high-school age students do not change the policy of local schools to prohibit the possession of marijuana on campus, school officials said Tuesday.
On the contrary, school policies call for students to be suspended or expelled for drug and alcohol possession or use or intoxication on campus.
The death of a man apparently selling marijuana and methamphetamine on Nevada City's main street Monday has renewed debate about the general tolerance of marijuana use in Nevada County.
"The problem is a reflection of our society," said Nevada County Superintendent of Schools Terry McAteer, who on Monday revealed he knows of several high school students who have doctors' recommendations for treating health problems with marijuana.
Marion Fry, a medical doctor in Cool, said she has prescribed marijuana to adolescents suffering from depression and attention deficit disorder only after the patient has tried other drugs with no success. No law prohibits prescribing marijuana to children under 18 years of age, so long as the child's parents consent, Fry said.
"This is not a toy," Fry said. "This is medicine."
Expulsion for drugs on campus
Local high schools have a zero-tolerance policy toward drug use, Bear River High School Principal Jim Nieto said.
"If a student is under the influence or in possession of alcohol or drugs, there is, on the first offense, a five-day suspension," Nieto said. "If a student is involved in the sale of drugs, there could be a suspension followed by a recommendation for expulsion."
But even for a first offense, there is a chance the student could be expelled, Nieto said.
"Just because they have a marijuana (recommendation) doesn't mean they are allowed to have marijuana in their possession" at school, McAteer said.
Along with the five-day suspension - one day of which has to be spent in community service - first-time offenders also attend a day-long program at juvenile hall about the consequences of drug use, Nieto said.
When they return to school, the students usually are put on a two-semester contract to improve their behavior and academic performance. They also are referred to counselors, Nieto said. They are also subject to drug testing whenever the school deems it appropriate.
If there's a second offense, there's another five-day suspension and recommendation for expulsion, Nieto said.
If a student is found possessing drugs or alcohol on campus, the police can be brought in.
"If we don't have evidence, we can't arrest a juvenile," said Rob Davenport, school resource officer at Nevada Union High School from the Nevada County Sheriff's Office. "But you still have the schools taking action and making the referral to the education programs they have."
On average, four cases a month involving students with drugs or alcohol on campus get recommended to the court from Nevada Union High School, Davenport said. Bear River sends about half that many cases, Davenport estimated.
"In a year, there might be anywhere from 10 to 15 alcohol or drug-related cases," Nieto said.
"It's a community issue," Davenport said. "It needs parents to talk to the kids."
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Staff Writer Laura Brown contributed to this story. To contact Soumitro Sen, e-mail soumitros@ theunion.com or call 477-4229.
