Substance Abuse in Santa Cruz County High Schools: Consequences and Responsibility

Studies show that a majority of high school students are either currently using alcohol and/or drugs, or have used these substances in the past. Even as early as 7th grade, 52% of these youngsters have been or currently are using drugs or alcohol. The data cited are from the “Healthy Kids Survey of Santa Cruz County,” a study conducted by the County’s school districts, and include alternative schools, The Ark, Loma Prieta and Renaissance High Schools, but not the County Office of Education Alternative Education schools. The data represent lifetime use. Page 1-4 Substance Abuse in Santa Cruz County High Schools Consequences and Responsibility 2001–2002 Santa Cruz County Grand Jury Report Santa Cruz County Youth Survey, 2001 Grade 7 Grade 9 Grade 11 Substance Used Santa Santa Santa Calif. Calif. Calif. Cruz Cruz Cruz Alcohol 29% 25% 57% 50% 73% 70% Been Drunk 11% 10% 33% 24% 53% 45% Inhalants 12% 6% 15% 8% 16% 14% Marijuana 11% 8% 32% 24% 50% 45% Cocaine 7% 4% 9% 9% Methamphetamines 7% 4% 8% 9% Hallucinogens 7% 6% 10% 12% Heroin 4% 2% 4% 3%

Heroin use has shown a frightening rise among students at the 9th grade level. By 11th grade, another 4% of students are new heroin users. The 4% of the student population who are heroin users in 9th grade do not stay in regular public schools. By the 11th grade, these students have either dropped out of school, are in alternative schools, are in drug treatment programs or juvenile detention, or are deceased. This represents approximately 8% of the total high school student population who use heroin.

The Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program is offered to students from 5th grade through 9th grade. At the time of this report, no such program exists for high school students above the 9th grade.

Santa Cruz County public high school students receive substance abuse education in a one-semester health class. Substance abuse is only one of many topics covered in this class.

School officials and law enforcement officers both report that public and parental apathy contribute to a lack of meaningful consequences for substance abuse and juvenile crime incidents. Surveys show Santa Cruz County leads the state in support of medical and recreational marijuana use. Some parents shrug off what they consider to be “minor” drug incidents.

Due to the rise in school violence, a full time SRO is assigned to each high school campus. These peace officers have to deal with every type of criminal behavior including vandalism, substance abuse, physical violence and weapons on campus. The SRO is ultimately responsible for the physical safety of students and faculty.

Aptos High School and Scotts Valley High School are the only public high schools with closed campuses. A closed campus restricts students from leaving school grounds during school hours.

Five of the county’s public high schools have open campuses which allow students to leave and return during the school day.

An open campus policy presents the opportunity for some students to leave the school grounds to use, buy or sell drugs or alcohol. Substance Abuse in Santa Cruz County High Schools Page 1-5 Consequences and Responsibility 2001–2002 Santa Cruz County Grand Jury Final Report

School officials report 50 to 100 on-campus drug incidents per school year in each of the county’s seven public high schools. The majority of these incidents involve possession of marijuana on campus.

On or off campus, when apprehended by law enforcement officers for substance abuse, a student is detained, the drugs or alcohol are confiscated, and a report is forwarded to the Juvenile Probation Division for follow-up.

A youth apprehended for selling drugs on campus is put under arrest and removed from the school campus. The youth is taken to Juvenile Hall for processing, and may or may not be held in custody depending on the risk assessment performed at Juvenile Hall. (See the second section of this report for further details on risk assessment.)

A first time drug offense usually results in a three-day suspension by the school district, mandatory community service, or some other supervised activity.

Drug testing is not a prerequisite for returning to campus.

It can take up to three months from the time of an incident until a probation officer meets with the juvenile and his or her parents.

The SRO can request information from the Juvenile Probation Division regarding specific individuals. The SRO is not provided with a list of students at their schools who are on probation, and is not informed of the disposition of pending cases.

Many programs that provide care or counseling for youths involved with substance abuse or with the juvenile justice system exist throughout the county. However, a consolidated referral list of these programs has not been developed.

Except at Soquel High School, teen centers or other supervised gathering points for teens do not exist on school grounds at this time.

Several agencies provide counseling on campus for a variety of different problems. (See report on Review of Initial Alcohol and Drug Intervention with High School Age Youth.) Conclusions

Reports and citations are referred to the Juvenile Probation Division for review and/or actions. Investigations are conducted and include meetings with the parents and the juvenile. Some cases are forwarded to Juvenile Court.

The delay between the time of arrest and initial contact with a probation officer is typically two to three months.

The Juvenile Probation Division interacts with the several law enforcement agencies conducting “Juvenile Diversion Programs.”

The Sheriff’s Department has no diversion programs in unincorporated areas policed by that agency. (See report on Review of Initial Alcohol and Drug Intervention with High School Age Youth.) Page 1-12 Substance Abuse in Santa Cruz County High Schools Consequences and Responsibility 2001–2002 Santa Cruz County Grand Jury Report

The Juvenile Probation Division reports that law enforcement officers can access any of the division’s information but that it does not routinely provide the information to officers.

The average length of stay in Juvenile Hall has been reduced. In 1999 the average length of stay was 32 days. At the close of fieldwork, the average length of stay was 8.9 days.

Some parents have reported the Juvenile Probation Division has a very lax attitude toward marijuana use. Some parents stated they were told by the Juvenile Probation Division, “At least it’s better than cocaine or methamphetamines.”

The County judicial system is evaluating juvenile detention reform.

The Watsonville Police Department has been instrumental in initiating dialogue between the Juvenile Probation Division and other law enforcement agencies. Conclusions