Various Drugs Are Available In Some Secondary Schools

(SECOND OF A SERIES) Drugs are available and are being sold in some of Ann Arbor's secondary schools. Students say the largest market is for marijuana and hashish (the latter a potent resin derivative of marijuana plants originally of Middle Eastern origins), though LSD, "speed," and narcotic drugs such as heroin reportedly also can easily be obtained. (There is usually a 24-hour wait for heroin, according to a Huron High student.) At Huron High, Principal Paul Meyers said drugs have been sold on school property, often in the halls and lavatories. "This has been observed and arrests have been made in follow-up action by the police," Meyers reported. At Pioneer High School, Principal Theodore R. Rokicki says he hears "rumors" that drugs are sold in the building. But ''we have not, as yet, apprehended anyone selling drugs on school property," he said. Rumors that drugs are sold on school property also are common at the city's four junior highs. But only at Slauson Junior High has one student been caught passing drugs (in this case, marijuana) to fellow classmates. The headmaster at Greenhills School, Edward Read, says he knows of no drug sales at his school. St. Thomas High School Principal Leo Wagner says drug sales on school property "may have occurred on one or two occasions." Pioneer and Huron High students interviewed by The News said there are a few student "pushers" at both schools. Fellow students also act as contacts" for sales made outside of schools, they say. Pushing drugs is a "rather lucrative business," according to a Pioneer senior. "You can make as much as 10 per cent profit." How easy is it to obtain drugs? That depends on who you are. All the students who talked to The News agreed it's usually difficult to get drugs unless the pusher knows and trusts you. The pusher is constantly on guard, the students say, "because you never know who the informers are." If you have sufficient money but don't know who to contact - or aren't to be trusted- you probably won't get your drugs. ("Nickel" bags of marijuana cost $5, "dime" bags $10. About 10 cigarettes - called "reefers" or "joints" - can be rolled from a nickel bag). Conversely, if you are well known in the drug circles, students say, purchasing drugs is a simple operation. "You can pass pills or a grain of hash (hashish) while shaking hands in the hall or in the classrooms , a Pioneer senior explained. "There's safety in numbers in the halls." A member of the Ann Arbor Police Department - Officer Robert Robinson - divides his time this year between Pioneer and Huron Highs. But he must usually follow due process, which often means a search warrant, before searching a student for any reason, including suspected drug possession. An exception might be if the student had a weapon and might threaten the officer. Students also say it's relatively safe to pass or sell drugs in the schools because many teachers and administrators aren't trained to know what to look for. Principals at all Ann Arbor secondary schools say, however, that teachers report any concerns they have regarding unusual student behavior that might be the result of drug use. This in turn would be reported to the child's counselor, who attempts to work with the child and often the parents on the situation.