March 9, 2011
By EMILY DONOHUE
The Saratogian
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Two high school students were hospitalized and 21 have since been disciplined following underage drinking during a dance at Saratoga Springs High School Friday night.
In a press release, high school principal Brett Miller said the school takes the situation “very seriously.”
“We’re concerned about our students and want to ensure a safe environment for them.”
At around 8 p.m. Friday city emergency officials received two separate calls regarding intoxicated students at the high school. Reports of a “highly intoxicated 14-year-old female” and another regarding a 14-year-old who had consumed “half a bottle of vodka” were heard over the police scanner that night.
Saratoga Springs Police Lt. Greg Veitch said the matter is still under investigation. “It is our understanding that the alcohol consumption happened off campus,” he said, adding that police are investigating where the students drank and how they obtained the alcohol.
According to Miller, the two students transported to Saratoga Hospital from the dance were treated, released and are in good health.
The press release states that those students are believed to have been drinking prior to the dance.
Veitch said he could not release any further information about the students involved because of their age.
“We’ve had numerous meetings with students and parents, and most have been very supportive,” Miller said.
In the same release, Superintendent Dr. Janice White said underage drinking “is unacceptable and it will not be tolerated. Our schools and all school activities are expected to be safe places for students, staff and the entire community.”
White also highlighted the school district’s history of offering programs for students and parents that focus on the hazards of substance abuse, including a 10-year collaborative effort with the Saratoga Partnership for Prevention, which provides ongoing services aimed at substance abuse prevention.
On March 10 the district will offer a program on prescription drug abuse in teens through its Parent University. The program will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Saratoga Springs Recreation Center.
More information on that program is available at http://www. saratogaschools.org/Parents andCommunity/ParentUniversity/PU_March_workshop_Rx-drugs.pdf.