The State - News from Nov. 16, 1986

Fears that students might be using beepers to arrange drug deals has led to a ban on the pocket-size devices in Oakland schools. “They’re getting very sophisticated,” board of education President Sylvester Hodges said. “It’s time for us to take drastic action.” The ban was proposed by school board member Darlene Lawson, who said she had heard from students and school officials that “95% of the students carrying beepers are using them for drug dealing.” Most teachers have already banned the beepers, which emit signals when someone is calling the owner’s personal number. Some students now use silent pagers that vibrate or flash a tiny light. “Then they jump up and run to the phone booth to return their dope calls,” said Lawson.