This year, the administration has combined the drug and alcohol policies into one policy in an effort to crack down on students who drink underage, whether in school or on their free time.

“My own philosophy is there is no difference between drugs and alcohol. They’re both illegal for any student in this school. I don’t really see a difference in them,” Principal Madelyn Ball said. “I had heard about the problems at prom last year and there were a lot of questions during my interview about that. I felt as though I had a certain responsibility to everybody to take a serious look at the issue.”

The new drug and alcohol policy in the Student Handbook states that “possession, consumption, sale, or use of illegal drugs, alcohol, unauthorized prescription drugs, inhalants, or performance enhancing supplements or look-alikes in any quantity on or off school grounds, whether school is in session or not, will result in three for four demerits and may result in dismissal from school.”

The policy also says that the school possesses an alcohol detection device and the school may make students submit to random testing or testing based on suspected violation of the policy. Refusal to submit to this test is considered insubordination, a three demerit offense that may also require the involvement of law enforcement officials. If a student is allowed to come back to school after a violation of the drug and alcohol policy, “the student must complete an assessment/treatment program approved by the school administration,” according to the Student Handbook.

Enforcing the new policy will be on a case by case basis. “I’m a firm believer that being fair does not always mean being equal, and that’s why zero tolerance policies do not work,” Ball said.  “My first priority is to get the child some help. And that may mean mandatory drug testing and counseling,” Ball said.

Even so, students will be disciplined for issues brought to the administration’s attention. “If you come to school drunk or high, obviously there are going to be serious consequences,” Ball said.  “People send their children here because they feel as though we won’t tolerate that. And it’s the truth. We won’t,” Ball said.

“I don’t really care about the new policy because it doesn’t really affect me,” senior Taylor Battaglia said.

“I don’t think it’s right that they punish us for things outside of school as severely as they do inside of school, but I understand they want to keep a good reputation,” junior Carol Zubrowski said.

“If you drink outside of school, they should notify someone at the school, but the school shouldn’t punish you,” sophomore Marianne Monaco said.

Along with the new drug and alcohol policy is an online alcohol prevention program called AlcoholEdu.

“I’ve gone through the program myself,” Ball said. “And it’s going to help first of all to get it straight how many kids really [drink underage].  I think there is a vision out there that every teenager drinks. Not every teenager does. It’s also going to help to build up students to have more resiliency so that they can say no and still be ok with their friends.”

Students are expected to complete the first part of the program by October 20. It takes roughly 90 minutes to complete, and students can start or stop it at anytime and all progress will be saved. The second part of the course involves designing a billboard to increase alcohol awareness.

“I remember a period where three years in a row we buried students who died in drunk-driving accidents. It’s just so sad. It’s such a waste,” Ball said. “If this program can save the life of one student, I will be thrilled.”

AlcoholEdu also has a separate program for parents, and Ball came up with a way to ensure that parents will complete their portion. “I told the parents their child may not go to homecoming unless they complete the program. I’m going to be sending home instructions about what parents have to do to complete the program,” Ball said.

“I don’t like the fact that parents are involved, but I do like the combined policy,” senior Amanda Norris said.

“The whole point of the parent program is two-fold. One is to help parents have those difficult conversations with their kids about this. Number two is to teach them something about social liability,” Ball said.

“There are parents out there who think it’s necessary to teach kids how to drink, so they offer alcohol to them in their homes. Well, that can be a very serious thing, and obviously, against the law. We want it well-known we don’t tolerate that and we’re educating everyone. So I point blank said to the parents, your child is worth 20 minutes of your time. And no one has complained about that – yet,” Ball said.

Scott Novak is an Opinion Editor for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com