Student school board candidate speaks out on drugs and censorship at La Crosse news conference

A Central High School student, running for La Crosse School Board, is putting more focus on drug use within the schools.

Adam Manka opposes cuts recently made in the School Resource Officer (SRO) program in the district, and said Monday an increase of police in schools could reduce drug use.

“The drug scene at Central High School has gone wild,” Manka claimed, outside the La Crosse Public Library on Tuesday. “And I have sources who tell me that it is just as bad at Logan High School. So, what is this? Our school, or a drug house?”

Manka cited study figures showing at least 17 percent of students at Central using drugs.

Manka claimed SROs are helpful in trying to reduce illegal drug use among students.

“All the drugs that are caught in school are going to be disposed of by the police department, and that is going to be through the SRO program,” he said. “And the SROs, they are a friendly face most of our students like. You find some students now have lunch with them.”

As he did when he announced he was running for school board, Manka again stated that school district officials have attempted to stop him from speaking about drug problems in school buildings or posting videos of his school online.

Manka briefly put tape over his mouth to suggest the censorship.