Despite the sometimes alarming proclivity of some local students regarding drugs and alcohol, the number of drug arrests in Kalispell schools has been on the decline for two years.

According to School Resource Officer Jason Parce, cooperation between school staffers, students, parents and the Kalispell Police Department has led to a noticeable reduction in the amount of drug activity in the schools.

Parce said there were 22 arrests at Glacier High School during the first two months of the 2010-2011 school year for misdemeanor and felony possession of drugs and paraphernalia as well as felony sale of drugs on or near school property.

A total of about 100 drug arrests were made at Glacier that year.

“We’re way down from that so far, which is great,” Parce said.

This school year, there have been 51 arrests at Glacier, Flathead High School, and Kalispell Middle School combined.

The bulk of those arrests were for misdemeanor drug possession and paraphernalia possession as well as three for felony drug possession and 11 for felony sale of drugs on or near school property.

“We’re making a pretty good impact,” Parce said. “Primarily, what it is is greater awareness among school staff and administrators, also among students, for raising awareness, and the presence of law enforcement on campus that’s willing to pursue these things on campus, to make these arrests and work with the students.”

Parce called the impact of efforts by parents and school staff “huge.”