School administrators at a Dallas-area high school addressed parents Monday night about possible drug dealing in or around campus.
More than 100 parents and students attended the meeting at Thomas Jefferson High School in the 4000 block of Walnut Hill Lane after administrators at the school spotted a dramatic increase in drug use.
“There is nothing more important to the teachers, to the staff, to Dallas ISD personnel than your kids," the school’s principal, Sandi Massey, told parents.
There were 14 students found using drugs in February, nearly double the eight cases reported in January. Half of the students were using pills of some sort — four were transported to the hospital by ambulance after ingesting the prescription drug Xanax. Two were admitted.
Administrators promise a more visible police presence and frequent visits from drug-sniffing dogs.
“It’s very concerning because they should have let us know from [the] second maybe, first, second, third case,” said one parent, Nancy Cuadillo.
Marijuana use was the biggest problem before the February cases, and even then only a few cases were reported before the first of the year.
Local
The latest news from around North Texas.
In addition to a bigger police presence, the school will continue bag checks as people enter the building. The school is also developing new anti-drug programs for students.
