PSS alarmed by illegal drug, marijuana use in campuses

Education Commissioner Dr. Rita A. Sablan is asserting the Public School Systems’ zero tolerance policy on illegal drug possession and marijuana use in all its campuses following a reported increase in incidents of illegal drug possession and marijuana use in school premises.

Sablan disclosed to staff, through a memorandum, that throughout school year 2011-2012, PSS will implement unannounced period drug checks in all high school and junior high school campuses using the Department of Customs’ detective dogs in the searches.

The commissioner told staff in a Nov. 18, 2011 memorandum that one of the biggest obstacles to teenagers reaching their full academic, social, and emotional potential is the use of alcohol and other drugs.

Over the past few months, she said PSS has received calls from concerned parents and citizens who have witnessed PSS students smoking what appears to be marijuana while walking to school or waiting for their bus ride.

“Also, since the start of the school year, PSS administrators have taken disciplinary action against several PSS students either found with drugs on campus or coming to school under the influence of drugs or alcohol. CNMI PSS has a zero tolerance policy for drug possession or drug use on campus,” said Sablan, adding that PSS, to enforce this policy, will take additional steps to educate students about the dangers and consequences of drug use.

Sablan said it is the ultimate goal of PSS to educate students to make healthy and safe choices regarding illicit substances and to ensure that these substances are not brought onto any school campus.

She said PSS is working in partnership with the Division of Customs to bring their canine drug detection unit onto PSS campuses.

“We will use the dogs to implement unannounced, period drug sweeps on all high school and junior high school campuses throughout the remainder of this school year. The drug detection dogs will be used by Customs officers to detect presence of drugs in school hallways, empty classrooms, and parking lots,” she said.

While the search is on, all students will remain either in their classes or in the cafeteria. Alongside this stepped-up enforcement, PSS is also planning additional education for students about the dangers and health implications of drug use.

Sablan said the PSS leadership team and the Youth Advisory Panel in collaboration with community stakeholders will bring programs, seminars, and workshops throughout the year.