Policy changes, a police officer and more communication among parents are all being eyed to push back against a rise that Wiscasset High School has been seeing in substance abuse issues.

Wiscasset High School Principal Deb Taylor, Wiscasset Police Chief Troy Cline and a school social worker met with about 80 parents January 22, in the high school library. The officials discussed recent problems and asked parents for their input and support.

Taylor said substance-linked suspensions are up this year; plus, she's been getting more complaints from the community than ever before, about students' behavior off school property, she said.

“So for me, it was a quantity thing. It was rising to a level that was definitely getting my attention,” Taylor said, when parents asked what led the school to call the meeting.

“Our youths are experimenting with drugs and alcohol. Is that all students? No, but it affects all of our community,” said Lisa Henry, a social worker for Wiscasset's three schools.

Cline said he has heard about the high school being called “Narcotics High.”

The types of incidents his department has been seeing with local teens include operating under the influence, and transporting and possessing drugs and alcohol, Cline said.

“These are very dangerous behaviors for teenagers,” Cline told parents. “My responsibility is the safety of your children, and we have seen an influx.”

None of the speakers named a cause or causes, although Taylor described apathy among some students, about their futures.

Cline announced he is seeking a school resource officer in his 2014-2015 budget. “I'm going to try to make that fly through,” he said. “But I'm going to need the support of the community to do that.”

Having an officer in school on a regular basis can deter problems and add to students' comfort and sense of security, Cline said.

“I get looks when I walk in here like I'm an alien,” Cline said. Students assume he's there on a drug bust, he added.

On another front, Taylor said the school has already begun reviewing its policies, for possible changes in how substance abuse is addressed. Any changes would need the school committee's approval, she said.

Taylor and School Committee Chairman Glen Craig said they would like parents' input on policies.

Some parents said they would like consequences strengthened for violations by student athletes.

Some also said that parents should contact one another when they have concerns that something might be occurring with a child.

Near the end of the meeting, Taylor expressed optimism that the issues involving substance abuse would improve, with everyone working together. “I firmly believe this school has what it takes. This (meeting) is a community ... doing the tough stuff. It might not feel good, but a decent community can do the stuff that doesn't feel good,” she said.