Centre personnel learn to identify drug impairment
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
Teachers, administrators, and staff of Centre USD #397 took an eight-hour course Aug. 13 learning how to identify individuals within the school environment who are under the influence of illicit drugs.
The seminar was presented by two members of the Kansas Highway Patrol, Lieutenant Dave Weed and Technical Trooper Rob Istas.
They defined a drug as related to the school environment as "any substance that significantly alters perception or behavior, reducing the individual's ability to function appropriately in the academic environment."
Class members were taught how to observe suspected individuals' eyes to differentiate between a medical condition and drug impairment.
Eyes that track unevenly or have pupils of different sizes are a strong indication of a severe physiological disorder.
Drug impaired individuals may have dilated (enlarged) or pinpointed pupils.
Instructors provided four simple, standardized tests school personnel can do to check for mental and physical impairment due to drugs.
1) Romberg balance test — The individual is instructed to tilt head back, close eyes, estimate 30 seconds, let head drop, and say "Stop."
The test assesses the individual's 'internal clock' and allows observation of body sways and tremors.
2) Alphabet test — The person is asked to recite the alphabet starting with D and ending with Q.
3) Counting test — The person is asked to count backward from 77 to 59.
4) Finger count test — The person is instructed to touch each finger with the thumb, starting with the index finger, 1,2,3,4, then back, 4,3,2,1.
Coordination, clearness of mind, and finger flexibility are assessed through these four tests.
All observations and abnormalities are recorded on a prescribed "Preliminary Student Observation" form, to be presented to the proper authorities as evidence of possible impairment.
The instructors stressed that just one test alone is not enough to confirm drug influence. They all have to be applied and evaluated together.
The group studied the seven classes of mind- and behavior-altering drugs and their effect on the mind and body.
1) Central nervous system depressants include alcohol, sleeping pills, anti-convulsants, tranquilizers, and anti-depressants such as Prozac and Valium. They slow down the mind and body.
2) Central nervous system stimulants include cocaine, amphetamine, and methamphetamine. They relieve fatigue, reduce the need for sleep, and increase energy and confidence level. Symptoms include rapid and jerky movements, talkative-ness, irritability, and restlessness.
3) Hallucinogenic sub-stances can come from natural sources such as nutmeg, jimson weed, and morning glory seed. The most common synthetically-produced hallu-cinogens are LSD and Ecstacy. Their use is marked by delusions and paranoia.
4) PCP is found mostly in inner cities. It is known as juice, dust, special k, angel dust, and embalming fluid. It has an anesthetic effect and often gives users the sensation of the head being separate from the body.
5) Narcotic analgesics include heroin, codeine, and synthetics such as Demerol and Methadone. They lower the perception of pain and, if used regularly, require a higher and higher dose for relief.
6) Inhalants are breathable chemicals that can produce mind-altering results and can be found in many commonly-used products. They include volatile solvents like gasoline and fingernail polish remover, aerosols, and anesthetic gases like ether, chloroform, and nitrous oxide.
The subject appears to be drunk and is very confused and disoriented. There is no law against use of inhalants unless the user is driving a vehicle.
7) Cannabis (marijuana) is the most widely used illicit drug. It appears to interfere with a person's ability to pay attention. The primary mind-altering substance in modern marijuana, THC, is in much greater concentrations than years ago. Symptoms include a burnt odor, impaired perception of time and distance, and a short attention span.
School personnel also learned how to recognize when a person may be using a combination of drugs and therefore display a mix of symptoms.
At the end of the session, each person was given a certificate verifying the eight hours of training and awarding professional development credits.
Instructors recommended the school district develop a policy authorizing certified personnel to make observations and conduct the above-described tests on individuals within the school who are suspected of being under the influence of drugs.
They also suggested that parents and other members of the wider community should be trained to detect possible drug impairment.
The KHP school program on drugs is federally funded.
