MOM TO SCHOOL OFFICIALS: GET RID OF DRUGS -- NOW

June 1 Program to Focus on Drug Prevention

BERNARDSVILLE -- A Far Hills mother attending Monday's meeting of the Somerset Hills Regional Board of Education made it clear that she and other parents "wanted drugs out of our schools," and fast.

"We need to tell kids, 'we want you all to stay in school.  We don't want anyone else to get arrested or die,' " said Laura Neff during the board's regular meeting on May 17 at the Bernards High School library in Bernardsville.

Neff emphatically added that she wanted students warned of the consequences of drugs before the Bernards High senior prom on Friday, June 4.

Board member Deborah Hawkins of Peapack-Gladstone noted that the Somerset County Municipal Alliance and Youth Services Commission, in partnership with the Somerset Hills YMCA, is planning to host a special program on drug prevention at 7:30 p.m.  on Tuesday, June 1, at the North Maple Inn in Basking Ridge.

"That's going to be the day after the Memorial Day weekend.  We're asking that everyone tell their friends about this," Hawkins said.

On Tuesday, alliance member Susan Kamins of Bernardsville, a former school board member, said the alliance was inviting anyone concerned about the issue of drugs to attend the evening event.

"This is a problem that extends beyond schools," she said.  "It goes into the homes and elsewhere."

Dog Searches?

Neff, the wife of former board member Wesley Neff, approached the board after two Bernards High School seniors were suspended after they were found with marijuana on the campus on Thursday, April 8.  On May 5, the board suspended them for the remainder of the year.

"We implore you to follow the school's drug policy," Neff said.  "We want unannounced dog searches in the parking lot.  Tell the kids we'll do the drug searches."

She called for students to sign pledges they would not use drugs.  Likewise, she wanted parents to sign pledges that they would not approve of drug and alcohol parties in their homes and that their names be included in a list of "safe houses."

Bernardsville resident Diane Greenfield, who attended the meeting, agreed with Neff.

"There's strength in numbers," she said.  "If the kids start to see that their parents behave in a positive manner, then they'll see that doing drugs is weird."

Neff added that time "is of the essence.  We want kids to know we're aware and that we care," she said.  "We have to hammer the message home."

Board President Peggy Marino said that members were currently looking at revising the drug policy now enforced in the district.

At the same time, they were considering using drug-sniffing dogs to investigate students' vehicles parked in the high school parking lot, added Maneck Master, the board's liaison member from Bedminster.

Superintendent of Schools Peter Miller, however, told Neff that officials were still debating the pros and cons of dog searches.  He was waiting to hear the opinion of board attorney Phil Stern.

"We can't make a commitment tonight," he said.

Drug Program

The June 1 program will include a presentation about drugs and an interactive discussion led by Norman Cullen, a chief detective in the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office.

The discussion will be facilitated by Robert Lomauro, president and executive director of the Somerset Hills YMCA in Basking Ridge.

On Tuesday, Kamins said the idea for the program was discussed at the alliance's May 5 meeting.

At that time, she said a group of mothers from Bedminster Township approached the alliance asking what members could do and how they could play a role in community drug prevention.

Kamins called the program "timely."

"We're hoping that people leave with a real sense of awareness," she said.  "And, the commission will create a sustained effort to keep the public involved in a positive manner."

One of those mothers at the alliance's May 5 meeting was Bedminster resident Suzan Sletteland.

On Tuesday, she said she attended the meeting to see how parents could work with the alliance to curb drub use in the community.  "I'm scared for all the kids," she said.

Sletteland has a son now in his sophomore year at the high school.  She said she believed that drugs had become "a bigger deal" within the last few year.

"I truly believe that unless we do something about it, people will die.  People will overdose," she said.

She said she believed the issue was a community wide problem.  "This just doesn't affect the school," she said.

Drug Testing?

Some local officials are also growing concerned about drug use among school students.

At its meeting on Monday, May 10, Far Hills Borough Council members voiced support for random drug testing at Bernards High School as a means to combat drug abuse among students.

"If it saves one life, it probably is of value," commented Councilman Robert Searing.

Searing raised the subject after attending the alliance meeting.

According to Searing, it was mentioned at that meeting that some Hunterdon County high schools have a random drug testing policy for students involved in athletics, clubs and extra-curricular activities.

"If they ( Somerset Hills school officials ) bring it up to us, I think it's something we'd have to consider," concluded Searing.

Borough Attorney Maryann Nergaard reminded Searing that it's not within the council's purview to make decisions on school-related matters.

Searing responded that the council would be showing its support for drug testing, not making an actual decision on whether to institute such a policy.  "I just think we've got to protect our children," he said.

Councilman David Karner agreed.

"We're giving them ( the students ) a state-of-the art facility, but if we're not watching out for their well-being, their health, we're doing them a disservice," Karner said.

On Tuesday, Miller said the board has not considered random drug testing yet.

At present, school officials are empowered by law to test students suspected of using drugs.  He said that any suspect student is literally walked by an administrator to medical labs downtown and tested.

"That's the policy," he said.