Last modified: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 2:15 AM EST Norton delays surveying students about drugs BY MICHAEL GELBWASSER SUN CHRONICLE STAFF NORTON - School officials' proposed drug and alcohol survey of Norton adolescents this spring is on hold. School committee Chairman Thomas Golota and member Kevin O'Neil expressed concern when Superintendent Patricia Ansay presented the proposed "Communities That Care Youth Survey" for grades 6 through 12. Golota said his daughter would not know some of the drugs' names. O'Neil added that "there are some questions on here that I would prefer my 11-year-old to not have to answer." "I guarantee, not every parent is going to want their kid taking this, whether it's sixth grade or 12th grade," he said. Discussion was tabled until Jan. 26, when Ansay is expected to present additional information to address the board's questions. Ansay said the survey results would "give us direction on where our issues are" and a direction for health and wellness classes. Students would do the survey anonymously, and parents would have to return a permission slip first. School officials have discussed doing the survey in May. Foxboro and Mansfield are either doing or have completed a similar survey, Ansay said. Norton school officials are discussing bringing a program to Norton High School and opening it to Foxboro and Mansfield through a new tri-town task force, she said. Ansay said underage drinking at nearby King Philip Regional High School in Wrentham has drawn considerable attention lately. "Certainly, if we think things are not happening in Norton, we're being foolish," she said. Golota said the Norton schools last had such a survey in 2006. O'Neil said that survey was done by a Norton High senior planning to study law enforcement in college. About 650 students responded, and the results helped shape the wellness curriculum, he said. MICHAEL GELBWASSER covers Norton for The Sun Chronicle. He can be reached at 508-236-0439 or at mgelbwasser@thesunchronicle.com.