Illegal drug use is so rampant in schools, that they could be labeled “drug-infested", according to recent study. Eight out of ten high school students and four out of ten middle schools students have witnessed illegal drug use, drug dealing or possession, or have seen another student drunk or high while attending classes. If you’ve ever wondered why the youth of today seem to get less out of their education than in the past, you may have your answer. Curbing drug use through effective drug rehab might be necessary to reverse this trend.
Columbia University’s National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) surveyed a random sampling of middle school students, high schools students and parents. The results are somewhat shocking: In 2002, 44% of students reported that drugs were a major problem in their school (since that time, the number has gone up to 61%), and 31% reported that they see illegal drugs sold or used, or see another student drunk or high at least once a week. The report did not include information on the number of students who are candidates for drug rehab as a result of this abuse.
Joseph A. Califano, Jr., chairman and president of the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, commented that parents should consider taking their kids out of drug-infested school and placing them in drug-free schools. But, according to the CASA survey, 60% of parents think making schools drug free is not a realistic goal.
The study also revealed another shocking statistic: only 11% of parents see drugs as their high schooler’s greatest concern. Interestingly enough, the students were more concerned than the parents – they came in at 24%. Logical, since they’re right there on the scene, and probably don’t keep their parents fully informed.
It’s amazing that one in four students are concerned about drugs in their school and see them as a threat. Is that the high school and college experience we want our kids to have? The only good news is those students represented in that 24% probably won’t wind up in drug rehab.
Unfortunately, parental apathy about creating a drug-free environment could be contributing to the rampant drug and alcohol abuse we see today. Especially since the role they play is pivotal: the study found that young people are less likely to drink or abuse drugs when their parents don’t think it is inevitable. Parents limiting what their kids are exposed to on television, movies, music and the Internet is also a factor.
Parents need to get up to speed with the drug problem and come to terms with the fact that drugs are out there, that they are not ‘just a phase’ kids go through, and that their kids are in real danger.
Check it out, find out if your kid is taking drugs and, if so, get them into a successful drug rehab program immediately. Taking action now could save years of agony for both yourself and your child, and it may save your child’s life.
Students going to high school prom this year will notice there is more than balloons and confetti greeting them at the door. Some high schools will have teachers standing ready to take breathalyzers as well as tickets to screen students for alcohol consumption. It made seem like an intrusive way to start your evening with lipstick covered lips onto a breathalyzer reader, but teachers and parents agree it can save lives.
According to sources, motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for people aged 15 to 20. It is estimated that one teen is killed every hour in the United States because of teenage drunk driving. So communities, such as the Pequannock Township High School in New Jersey are doing something about it and demanding random alcohol testing as part of the school program.
Where students feel attacked is how the school system is going about testing. The (EtG), ethyl glucuronide urine test the school is using to test students can prove up to 90 days when the last time the student consumed alcohol. So, if a student was at a party over the weekend, they could be tested on Monday and the results would show if they have consumed alcohol or not. In more recent news, EtG alcohol testing has been developed for hair alcohol testing where a sample of scalp hair is collected from a student and sent to a laboratory where is it then tested for alcohol use. With hair alcohol testing, past alcohol abuse can be measured up to 12 months, depending on the length of the hair sample.
Other findings report that the American Civil Liberties Union says random urine alcohol testing is an invasion of privacy, while in 2002, the U.S. Supreme Court in Board of Education of Pottawatomie v. Earls, voted in favor to allow public schools to test students for drugs if they were participating in competitive sports or extra curricular activities. Not otherwise. Student privacy rights vary from state to state which can give greater protection over student's rights compared to others.
As more research unfolds, newer methods of random alcohol screening could be enforced. Depending on the past police records of students, number of detentions or other behaviors in school could affect the degree of ramifications due to positive alcohol evidence in a student's sample. As one researcher put it, a phone call home to parents could be the only punishment necessary to prevent under age alcohol consumption in the future.
Both Karen Morris & Melissa Peterman are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Karen Morris has sinced written about articles on various topics from Alcohol Treatment, Forex Software and Addictions. Karen is a freelance writer who contributes articles on health.Contact: . Karen Morris's top article generates over 33100 views. to your Favourites.
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