The following is a letter Hampden Wilbraham Regional School District Superintendent of Schools M.

Martin O'Shea sent to parents on Monday morning: June 11, 2012 Dear Parents & Guardians, This morning The Republican ran an article covering a claim by a Minnechaug junior that the School's anti-drug intervention efforts are not effective. The article just focuses on a very narrow aspect of our anti-drug efforts: search and seizure. As parents of HWRSD children, you should know that our prevention and intervention efforts extend far beyond the subject of the article. We employ a comprehensive approach to substance abuse prevention and intervention. Prevention work revolves around specific Code of Conduct language that prohibits substance use and possession at school; requires the use of passive alcohol screening at high school events; and allows for three random, unannounced canine drug searches conducted in partnership with the local and state police units. Contrary to what was reported, when a search is conducted, MRHS is called into lockdown before the police canine units arrive on campus students are not able to see the cars on campus before coming to school. We also understand that keeping students connected to adults and engaged in meaningful activities is essential to healthy choices and outcomes. Additionally, the Districts health curriculum educates students in grades 3-12 to understand the risks associated with drug and alcohol use and teaches students healthy decision making, problem solving and communication skills. Despite the claim made by the article, we are eager to talk with our students about the dangers and effects of illegal and harmful substances. Intervention work is associated with clear and consistent disciplinary practices based on Massachusetts General Law and a very active referral process that directs students with substance abuse issues to our Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug (ATOD) counselors at the middle and high schools. We make a concerted effort to collect and analyze data to guide these prevention and intervention activities. Primarily, this is done through the administration of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey to students in grades 7-12. These surveys highlight areas of concern that guide our on-going efforts and have shown that students' perception of drug use among their peers exceeds actual use. Finally, we value the work of our School Resource Officers (SROs). These police officers, employed at the middle and high school levels, provide another valuable asset in our efforts to keep children safe. They help us ensure that all reports are investigated and acted upon in accordance with state and local statutes. Minnechaug Regional High School is a great small-town high school, but there is simply no way to ignore the realities of substance issue, nor would we wish to. We have been and will remain willing to confront the issue with our eyes wide open. We take no comfort

from the fact that students at Minnechaug Regional High School use alcohol and marijuana at rates lower than the state averages. We acknowledge that substance use among teens is a major public health issue that impacts individuals, families, schools and communities including our own. As the article suggests, schools cannot do this work alone. We welcome your feedback and participation. My hope is that parents, staff and students continue to come forward with information that will assist us as we strive to make Minnechaug Regional High School a safe, drug-free school. For further information and data on alcohol, tobacco and other drug use among teenagers, please refer to the Safe Schools/Healthy Students tab on the District website: www.hwrsd.org. Sincerely, M. Martin OShea Superintendent of Schools