OCR Text |
Show Marijuana 'coming m easily available to local youth The arrest of out-of-state marijuana growers cultivating their plants in a wooded area west and north of Parowan, brings the problems surrounding control of the substance close to home. Opinions vary slightly when it comes to the prevelance of grass locally but most agree it is available and in use. "There's a lot of it coming in," Lawrence Davis, juvenile probation officer, said. "It concerns me but it no longer shocks me to hear a kid say he uses the stuff. It is almost as commonplace as beer and stuff like that.' Davis pointed to incidents such as planes recently found in the Millard County western desert, presumed flying in narcotics, as a substantiation to the claims of marijuana's prevelance. Lots admit Despite the weed's presumed prevelance, referrals to juvenile court from law officers and schools is surprisingly low : only three referred in 1976. four in 1975, in Iron County. But Davis points out, "a lot of kids will admit to using marijuana but unless they are caught with it there is nothing we can do." He also said the offenders are pretty tight-lipped concerning where the grass is obtained. Bruce Decker, Cedar H gh School assistant principal, said marijuana was not a major problem at the school He .sa.d it appears high sih'X)! age students are still usinu more alcohol, ra'her tt .an urass. He said it was his fe'!'.r.i: the high school has !'- of a problem with pot now than it did two to three years ago. Pet haps, he said, it only . ; ; ..!' to be less of a problem. "U-cause we are dealing with a more s. -r,.MK a ted offender." Pius he sat-i different classes Live e'.ffertr.t personalities u : it! could account for the ;:; patent recent decline in marijuana use. Policies stated Decker said the school does have a policy -students are asked at the first of Uie year to avoid the use of alcohol, tobacco and drugs-but drugs-but that the policy is not strictly enforced. AH school activities held at night have security personnel on duty to watch for infractions, although the use of tobacco and alcohol often still takes place. Richard Dotson, principal at Parowan High School, also said students there are given strict rules concerning use of tobacco and alcohol on campus, and most obey. Dotson said in the seven years he has been at the head of the high school, students with marijuana on campus have been identified only twice. Any student recognized with pot are referred to juvenile court and suspended from school, he said. "It's onlv been recognized twice," Dotson said, "but I'm sure we have more than we have identified. There's a lot more that goes on." Alcohol still high Alcohol, Dotson said, is still the major problem with teenagers locally, as it is nationally. Marijuanj probably affects attendance more than it is a disciplanary problem on campus, he said. Kids are pretty careful, he addeu about smoking mariiuana due to PHS's strict rules concerning cigarette smoking on campus. One local teen source, with access to marijuana, said any young person with desires to ob train the weed can get it within two days, if not sooner. The source said there are local sources that i will obtain the stuff and either 4e-sell it to them or buy it for them. "I could go to the police right now and tell them (continued on page 3) marijuana continued from page 1 where there is going to be a party they could bust and who they could get and everything," the source said. The young person went on to say there are about two main dealers in town with five or so surrounding him that can obtain marijuana. This person said most of those involved with marijuana are aware of the law concerning it and know tht all they have to do is "get rid of it fast" if under surveillance sur-veillance from the police. He also said, "anyone can grow it." More, next week |