**Also by Lucy Chen**

Five students face punishment under the Zero Tolerance policy after they were caught with illegal substances in two unrelated incidents. The Zero Tolerance policy includes a 10-day suspension, recommendation for expulsion and prohibition from extracurricular activities for a year.

Earlier this week, police arrested two female students for using drugs in a second-floor bathroom, administrators said.

A student reported smoke near the bathroom late Monday morning. Security guards checked the hallway surveillance cameras to identify students who left the bathroom around that time. The two students were taken to the Bethesda police station.

In another incident at the Nov. 4 home football game against Churchill, security guards caught three boys in possession of Four Loko, an alcoholic beverage that contains caffeine.

Principal Alan Goodwin emphasized that school policies prohibiting drug and alcohol use on school grounds will continue to be enforced in an announcement over the PA system Nov. 11.  He hopes the harshness of the Zero Tolerance policy will prevent future incidents from occurring, he said in an interview.

Students received a letter Nov. 11 reminding them of the punishments for using drugs and alcohol on school grounds. The administration also has the power to search students’ backpacks, lockers, and cars for illicit substances, Goodwin announced.

“Those of you that happen to delve into such areas as drugs and alcohol, make sure you don’t bring anything on school grounds, in your backpack, the trunk of your car,” Goodwin said over the PA system. “I need you all making good decisions.”

For Goodwin’s full comments about the Zero Tolerance policy, read the next issue of the Black & White, which comes out next week.