Three busted at school

Three students were busted for drugs at Sisters High School last week, in unrelated incidents.

The most serious charges were filed against Zachary Mulholland, 15. According to Deschutes County Sheriff's Deputy Scott Shelton, Mulholland was holding six bags of marijuana, packaging materials and cash at school on Friday, October 29.

Mulholland was charged with possession of controlled substances, delivery of controlled substances, possession of controlled substances within 1,000 feet of a school and delivery of controlled substances within 1,000 feet of a school, according to Shelton.

Those charges include two class "A" felonies and two class "B" felonies, Shelton said.

Shelton said Mulholland was taken to the juvenile detention facility where he spent at least the weekend.

The other two incidents occurred earlier in the week. On Wednesday, October 27, a teacher referred a student to the office because the student was showing signs of being under the influence. Dean of Students Bob Macauley found a pipe with residue of marijuana on the student, and three cans of beer and a soft drink bottle with tequila in the student's car.

Apparently the youth left campus for lunch with three other youths, went to a home and "that is where they smoked the dope," according to Macauley.

The young man was cited into the Juvenile Empowerment Team (JET) program for minor in possession of alcohol and possession of less than an ounce of marijuana, both misdemeanors.

On Thursday, October 28, another youth was referred to the office with bloodshot eyes. A small bag of marijuana was found, and the young man admitted using marijuana before school. He was cited into the JET program for possession of less than one ounce of marijuana.

A total of five students were suspended from school for 10 days, including all three of the young men who were cited or arrested and two others who admitted smoking pot with those cited.

After the suspension is served, the students will be required to take a drug and alcohol assessment. This will involve the families. The school district will then see what resources are available to the family and student, according to Macauley.

Sisters High School principal Boyd Keyser said he was "pleased that faculty members were alert to signs of drug use and immediately notified the office. Now we can get involved and help these kids."

Macauley is concerned that students have the idea that "it is no big deal if you have a designated driver... That is wrong. So I am not sure if we are sending the right message."

Macauley said that all kids are exposed to drug and alcohol use, not just those who affect the drug persona through attitude and dress. He stressed that parents need have a dialogue with their children.

Macauley also said that parents need to feel they can go through the rooms of their kids. Children are not boarders or renters, but are part of a family, and their behavior affects the family, said Macauley.

"Parents need to know what goes on in their children's lives, so they can parent," he said.

Editor's note: This newspaper usually does not use the names of those under 18 years of age charged with a crime, unless that crime is a felony or would have been a felony if charged to an adult.