March 27, 1998

By Marie Rohde of the Journal Sentinel staff

SUBSTANCE ABUSE RISES AMONG BAY STUDENTS

Whitefish Bay—A survey of Whitefish Bay students shows "there is a growing substance abuse" problem among teens that high school principal Neil Codell termed a "continuing epidemic."

The survey asked whether students had used a substance one or more times during the past year, but did not attempt to determine frequency of use.
(Ed. note: By not asking about frequency, they make single use the measure, which is dangerously misleading. It also ignores "binge drinking" which is by far the most serious substance abuse problem. However, it does let them point with alarm at marijuana use.)

Among the findings:

49.3% said they had used marijuana, 6.3% cocaine and 13.8% reported using hallucinogens.

The survey indicated the vast majority of drug and alcohol use does not occur during school hours but on weekends and holidays.

Tom Dewing, the coordinator of the district’s alcohol and drug program, said the results are generally below national averages. However, use by seniors of cigarettes, marijuana and beer was somewhat above the national average.

"We don’t stick out like a sore thumb," said Dewing.

Although 92.4% of the students said their teachers talked to them about alcohol- and drug-related issues often, only 15.1% said the same was true of their parents.

Police Chief Gary Mikulec, whose department runs a DARE program for middle school students, sees the lack of communication at home as a problem.

School principal Codell listed a dozen steps the district has taken to fight drug and alcohol abuse. He noted that the district has applied for state funding for a part-time drug and alcohol coordinator who would serve as a liaison between the community and schools.

The rising numbers do not mean the programs are not working, he said.

"It’s working better than doing nothing," Codell said.
(Ed. note: It is literally inconceivable to them that a "drug education" program could be counterproductive. They think that if they just do more that it will work better. This is the trap of the prohibitionist paradigm.)

Some parents have complained that Cahill Square, a park where students congregate across the street from the school, may be where some of the substance-abuse activity is going on.

Mikulec said officers patrol the park daily during the lunch hours and after school. Last year, the department cracked down on underage cigarette smoking in the park.

Citations for possession of controlled substances were given to eight juveniles in the village last year. Three of those went to Milwaukeeans, who were driving through the village.

Mikulec also noted there had not been a single bust for an underage drinking party in about a year.

A teen drinking party last year generated publicity when a father initially refused to cooperate with police. At the time, Mikulec complained that a "network" went into action and students were advised by parents or lawyers not to cooperate with police.