Drug information night planned for RCS

RCS is teaming up with the New York State police to inform parents about the latest in drug trends and usage among students.

The event is scheduled for October 10, 7 p.m. in the High School. Field Sergeant Doug Pauquette from the New York State Troopers will lead the presentation.

 “Sergeant Pauquette is an excellent presenter and we are fortunate to have him visit our school.  This is one event every parent should attend,” said high School Dean of Students Bryan Wood.

The sergeant has been working in the field of drug impairment for over twenty years and has presented all over the country.  He currently conducts several DITEP (Drug Impairment Training for Educational Professionals) around the Capital Region. 

Last year several RCS administrators, deans and nurses attended a two-day training session from Pauquette and we have instituted those procedures in our high school. That resulted last year in several students being identified by school officials as having taken hydrocodone medication and one student being transported by ambulance to the hospital. 

Several other students were identified as having consumed alcohol or marijuana prior to the start of the school day.

“Parents should realize that the problems do exist with our students, as they do across the country.  Doug will inform parents of the popular drugs that kids are into today, how they acquire them and what symptoms to look for,” said Wood.