Brandon Valley Urges Parents To Discuss Drugs

BRANDON, SD - Brandon Police have arrested a fourth adult in connection with a drug bust that involved multiple teenagers.

The arrests prompted the Brandon Valley School District to send out a notice to parents, informing them that nine of the people involved at the raid were current or former district students.

The email the district sent to parents has information about the recent arrests, including that police found marijuana, drug paraphernalia and money at the home. It also reminds parents that they are the number one defense in keeping their children drug-free.

Schools no longer simply provide an education for students. Teachers and administrators now also try to guide them in making the right decisions.

"We'd always like to think that our students will make good choices, but we know they don't always," Brandon Valley Superintendent David Pappone said.

Knowing that, the district is urging parents to become engaged in their teenagers' lives. They hope the recent arrests can spark conversations about the dangers of illegal drugs.

"Take this opportunity to initiate a conversation with your kids in high school and intervene now so you know what's going on in your kids' life," Pappone said.

Pappone also hopes the students receive two messages from the arrests. One is that the district can put them in touch with help if they have drug or alcohol problems. And two, illegal activity will not be tolerated.

"The community is not going to ignore the drug use or the sale of drugs in its community," Pappone said.

Brandon Valley students participate in a state risk survey. Superintendent Pappone says those results typically show that Brandon is right in line with state averages when it comes to students and drug and alcohol use.