Thanks for all the great advise......reading what everyone has said has made me slow down and try to go through the principle to make tougher rules in the handbook regarding drugs. Something I did not tell in my initial post was that one of the kids busted was the superindendants grandchild. The initial punishment for the boys busted was 5 days ISS until I made parents aware of what happened the the punishment changed to 10 days ISS as the handbook states. Something else new is that the report to the police that was supposed to happen was 4 days after the fact, and the report states there was 9 boys involved. My concerns? Still extremley heavy....what if another child walked in while this was happening? The peer pressure would have been great.
So, our PTA was told to back off of this issue. It is time for our elections and I was going to run for president but I am not willing to back off and can certaintly keep going forward to enforce stricter drug policies on my own. I am afraid the PTA will close after this year....we have done many good things being our first year......teacher appreciation, character counts, dances, field day, and a book fair. This is the first passionate thing we were going to make a difference in. Our PTA bylaws discuss promoting parental involvement, child saftey, educational growth. Isn't holding the school accountable for enforcing zero tolerance by parent notification OK?
Since all this I have taken several different handbook rules and placed them into one and proposed it to the principle. I did this as a parent and nothing to do with the PTA so the principle would be happy. It just doesnt feel right. Not being able to get support from other parents through the PTA?!?!

pals, I see your point, I totally agree. SHould NOT be a parent group issue at all, but a concerned parent issue. And that should be addressed at school board level by parent(s), not ptoa.

Oh...my...goodness! 4th and 6th graders dealing and using pot and meth? That kind of information scares me to the bone.
From my experience, these issues are not shared within the school and are usually are heard about through word of mouth. That needs to change but I would not use the PTA as a platform to do so. I would send out broadcast e-mails to everyone in my address book letting them know about the situation and URGING them to attend board of ed meeting. At these meetings, ask questions regarding zero tolerance policy and what else can be done to make all the children safer. Make a BIG stink about what you know, be the squeeky wheel but not as PTA president but as a very concerned mom.
I agree with most above that PTA/PTO should steer clear of controversy and politics. Every year, the principals in our district approach the PTO presidents and ask them to speak out publically supporting the school budget and every year we say no. We will remind people to vote but not tell them how to vote.

I also agree with the Principal. The PTO is to conduct activities throughout the year to enhance the school year. It's not to change school policy. If you and others are that concerned, then attend your board of education meetings and ask how the district will be addressing this. What will be done to prevent further occurances? Will stricter policies be put into place as punishment for children that are not only breaking school policy, but the law? You can, as a PTO, offer to fund assemblies and programs that the Principal feels are needed at this time. However, the district can also utilize local law enforcement agencies, local drug & alcohol treatment centers, etc. to come and speak to the children as well (they are usually FREE). As a PTO, your position is to assist in having the issue addressed, but as a parent at a board meeting, you can speak your opinion.

Unregistered there is a huge difference between being an individual within a controversial issue and representing your group with that same issue! You can have that passion but you usually can't speak 110% for the whole group, that is what we are saying.

"He told me that the PTA should remain in positive situations and not get into controversy. "

I would have more faith in your principal from the littel you said, if he had instead told you what he IS PROACTIVELY DOING to handle the problem. to tell you to simply stay away from controversy, when the issue is drugs at school, is not comforting. good luck and dont back off. you are right on.