40.0°

This is in response to the recent article in the Empire about the drug usage and the recent arrest of several students at both high schools. Having worked at the high school for several years and also as an adolescent substance abuse counselor, I can attest first hand that the drug problem has been going on for years at the high school. Alcohol is the gateway drug, but others soon follow. The problem of abuse is starting in middle school, and the students are coming into the high school already using.

Students have been walking over to the cemetery, getting high and dealing drugs for several years now. The district has known this for some time now and has refused to anything about it. I remember a few years back when Ron Gleason was principal, the Juneau Police Department wanted to bring in dope sniffing dogs. The district caved in on this due to parents saying their children's' rights would be violated by the high school going through the lockers.

Some people responded to the recent article by saying that pot is OK. This is false. Pot does damage to the short term memory and has a lasting affect. It also is a proven fact that the brain does not stop complete development until some time around 24-25 years of age. Any drug, whether it be pot, alcohol, oxy or whatever, will impair the development of the brain into maturity.

I totally agree with the recent arrests and the zero tolerance enforcement that is being enforced. The district needs to start a prevention program in grades K-5 to help make young people aware of the dangers of the use of alcohol and other drugs before they start using.

Bill Burk

Juneau