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.