Students arrested on drug charges

Incidents point to bigger problem, Clinton police say

By Jeniece Smith

CLINTON — Seven students were arrested at Clinton High School in three separate drug-related incidents last week on charges pertaining to the theft, possession and distribution of prescription drugs and possession of marijuana.

According to arrest reports, three female students were arrested Oct. 26 for charges related to prescription drugs. Police said a 15-year-old student, charged with prohibited acts, allegedly was distributing prescription medication to other students. Another student, a 15-year-old charged with fifth-degree theft and two counts of unlawful possession of prescription drugs, was accused of stealing prescription medication. The third student, a 16-year-old, was arrested and charged with two counts of unlawful possession of prescription drugs.

Three more arrests were made Oct. 29 after a teacher at Clinton High School reported the theft of her prescribed oxycodone, a narcotic pain killer. Two 14-year-old male students and a 15-year-old male student were arrested in connection with the theft of the 25 pills.

Both 14-year-olds were charged with fifth-degree theft and unlawful possession of prescription medication with intent to deliver. The 15-year-old was charged with possession of marijuana.

In an unrelated incident the same day, a 16-year-old female student was arrested for possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Pat Cullen, the school resource officer, made all seven of the arrests.

Dr. Richard Basden, superintendent of the Clinton School District, made limited remarks on the arrests when reached for comment Thursday, and would not say whether the incidents were part of a larger trend in the district.

“We’re very vigilant at all times dealing with any kind of contraband at our schools,” said Basden. “At this time, we are working with law enforcement and are addressing the problem.”

Clinton Police Capt. Randy Meier said prescription drug abuse has been increasing locally for the last three to five years and is a big concern for law enforcement in the city.

Meier said the district, as a microcosm of the Clinton community, has been affected. He also emphasized that the issue is not unique to Clinton.

“We don’t think this problem is going away. It’s getting worse,” said Meier. “Even in the last three to six months, the trend has accelerated.”

According to the Iowa Governor’s Office of Drug Control Policy, prescription drugs are the second most commonly abused category of drugs nationwide, ahead of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and other drugs. Marijuana is first on the list.

National and state government officials have launched campaigns to combat the trend. The Clinton Substance Abuse Council is responding locally with more programs and task force focus on the problem, Prevention Specialist Kristin Huisenga said.

“We’ve expanded our focus to include prescription drugs because of the increase in it,” said Huisenga. “Nationally, we know it is on the rise. The school’s very involved, and they know this is a problem everywhere.”

Huisenga said the most common prescription drugs abused are depressants, stimulants and narcotics. She said 64 percent of teens who abuse prescription medications get them from a family member or friend.

“Parents need to consider this a topic when they talk to their kids about drug and alcohol abuse,” she said.

The Substance Abuse Council held an event in September encouraging residents to clear their medicine cabinets of old and unused prescription drugs. The council also has two task forces related to drugs and alcohol that meet monthly.

Huisenga called last week’s arrests “scary” and said they show how drug abuse among teens is a serious problem.

“I think it’s important for parents to know what that they have in their medication cabinets at home,” said Huisenga. “I don’t know how many kids have access to people that are dealing drugs, but all they have to do is look in their parent’s medicine cabinet to get pills. And they may not even know what they’re taking. They’re just taking it because their friends are taking it.”