Bi-Level Eatery

Whitko Responds To 'Huffing' Incidents

BY DOUGLAS SANBURN, Times-Union Staff Writer

Several Whitko students were given in-school suspensions when they were caught inhaling computer cleaner two weeks ago.

One source said the number of suspended students was in the mid-30s while others have put the number closer to 15.

Superintendent Dr. G. William Worl, who wouldn't comment on the incidents specifically, said, "There were some students who did engage in the misuse of consumer products but that has been addressed very effectively and very appropriately by the school people at the middle school."

JoElla Smyth, principal of the Whitko Middle School, indicated that the numbers were "high." She said she called 40 parents to inform them of the occurrence. She said not all of the parents she called had children that were huffing. Some of the children had merely been close to the incidents and Smyth wanted to inform the parents of the situation.

She also said that the huffing was "happening many times and not just a single occurrence."

As she investigated the incident, she said she became aware that the huffing had been taking place over the past several weeks.

According to Smyth, 90 percent of the eighth grade class had seen, heard or knew about the huffing. But less than 10 percent of that class was alleged to be involved directly.

Smyth said it is difficult to be specific about the number of individuals that were involved because of the many ways that huffing is possible. Students could easily carry the cans with them, due to the in-fashion baggy clothing, or even spray the chemical directly on the clothing and inhale the fumes during classes.

Since the chemical is nearly odorless and colorless, the teachers were unable to detect it, she said.

Even one child is enough, according to Smyth, to provoke "significant concern."

The chemical has been known to be addictive and has withdrawal symptoms associated with it.

"Certainly we want to keep safety and welfare of students at the top of our list of priorities," said Worl.

Worl would not talk about any incident specifically. But he did say, "I think that anything that is discipline related we would deal with at the school."

The school has chosen to counter the incidents by bringing members of DARE, the Bowen Center, and other experts in drug abuse to the school to educate students in the dangers of drug abuse.

"We've had a rather concerted effort this past week on the part of the staff to provide education for students and parents," said Worl.

Among the things done so far include meetings with the Parent Teacher Student Association, letters to the parents of students involved, copying and posting articles that deal with the dangers of inhalants, and inviting guest speakers.

Smyth said there have been some adjustments in the school to prevent these occurrences from happening in the future.

Worl would not comment on the validity of the allegations except to say, "I think you've got a lot of faulty information."

He also said the "Privacy Act" would not allow the school to disclose the number of students involved in the incidents.

Steve Key, of the Hoosier State Press Association, disagreed. The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act deals in personal accounts and student records only, he said. The act would not prevent the school from stating the number of students involved and suspended.

The community has a right to know the depth of the problem, Key said.

The information collected by JoElla Smyth was sent to the Northeast Indiana Regional School Superintendents Study Council for review.