owyhee avalanche

HHS pulls out stops to fight student drug abuse

With six students already disciplined and more facing hearings this week, Homedale High School principal Mike Williams has embarked on what he calls a “family intervention.”
The school is experiencing a spike in prescription drug abuse by its students. The veteran principal says six underclassmen either have been expelled or suspended thus far this school year.
City Police Chief Jeff Eidemiller briefed the City Council at Thursday’s meeting about drug use at the school.
“We’re working another case that involves the school today,” Eidemiller said. “We’re dealing with an awful lot of prescription medication abuse in the school right now.
“It’s steadily increasing. I don’t want to use the word ‘epidemic’ or anything like that, but it’s definitely becoming an issue.”
Williams said the latest student suspected of drug use was turned in by her family after the alleged abuse came to light during the week of Jan. 18. He confirmed the juvenile is part of a “set” of disciplinary hearings before the school board that took place Tuesday night after deadline.