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Parents, teachers and police officers are concerned over a dramatic increase in drug arrests at Santa Monica High, according to the Santa Monica Daily Press.35 drug arrests have been made so far this school year, up from 17 during all of last year. Are these students getting mellow with a little marijuana? Oh no. Most of the arrests have been for prescription drugs and the school is now focused on educating parents about keeping pills out of their kid's hands and recognizing signs of drug abuse.
Why are Santa Monica High students popping pills at record numbers? Sgt. Greg Smiley, who runs the Santa Monica Police Youth Services Division says it's a mystery. "I wish I knew or had an answer or even could speculate. It doesn't seem to have any type of pattern at all." The arrests span students of different ages, races and economic backgrounds.
One parent, whose 14-year old daughter was arrested for taking Ecstasy during class, thinks drug sniffing dogs should be brought in to find and punish students selling and taking drugs while at school. School board member Oscar de la Torre is against the use of police dogs to search for drugs. "I want our schools to be schools, not prisons."
