Drug Abuse in Schools
The rate of substance abuse amongst teenagers and other kids of school going ages are increasingly at alarming rates. Substances have become easily accessible due to modern development in technology and increased need to fit in into particular sects, fraternities or sororities.
EXTENT OF DRUG USE AMONGST SCHOOL KIDS
The recent statistics on the consumption of drugs and alcohol by school kids makes a grim read; the following statistics were released by the U.S Center for Disease Control and Prevention Survey
The majority of these kids are exposed to the use of these substances through, the internet, advertising, movies and music. The popularity of rock and roll boosted the use of illegal substances in the late 1960s; this continued to the early and mid 1970s before the explosion of pop culture which aggravated the use of these substances. A lot of the youths then days are now addicted parents now, who are usually the first point of contact to their teenage kids. The popularity of music genres like Reggae and Hip –Hop that glorifies consumption of Marijuana, act as the convincing factor for the use of drugs amongst these kids.
WHERE DOES IT BEGIN
Teenagers and other kids of school going ages are at greater risks of abusing substances these days than they were a decade ago. With the internet and mobile phone communications the purchase of such may go undetected until it might be too late. With the clicks of buttons and exquisite packaging such substances may be delivered to a parent’s door step and placed into the hands of the parent as a parcel for their kid without suspicion. Experimentation is common amongst teenagers and most of the exposure begins at school
WHY DOES IT BEGIN
These are the basic reasons leading to the abuse of drugs and other substances in schools
- Fitting in syndrome
- Peer pressure
- Risk Taking age
- The need to explore and experiment
- Constant exposure to a chemical society of drugs and alcohol
- TV ads, Movies and the Internet
- Rebellion
- Low self esteem
- Inferiority complex
EFFECTS OF DURG ABUSE IN SCHOOLS
Drugs produce many devastating effects to kids and school communities, such effects may be long lasting or permanent health and emotional issues. They include:
SUBSTANCES MOST LIKELY TO BE ABUSED IN SCHOOLS
- Depressants – Usually of devastating effects when combined with alcohol
- Heroin- It contains very potent hallucinogenic materials, the use has increased because its cheap
- Steroids – powerful compounds related to the male testosterone, mostly used to increase rates of performance in sporting activities
- Club drugs - popularly known as designer drugs, these are mostly manufactured in make shifts labs and are very dangerous. They include Methamphetamine, Ecstasy and LSD. Some of these drugs are tasteless odorless and colorless.
- Marijuana: Very cheap and assessable. It slows the thought rate of users.
- Over the counter cough, cold sleep and diet pills
- Inhalants
WHAT SHOULD BE DONE
An early intervention and prevention activities should be inculcated into schools drug abuse programs. The extent of the usage/problem amongst kids in schools should be established by authorities with the assistance of local enforcement agents before instituting any new drug prevention program.
Furthermore a collaboration plan with parents should also be considered and assistance sought from the board and external treatment agencies. In addition to this a clear and consistent drug use policy should be established. This will specify drug offences and consequences.
Also security measures to eliminate potential influx of drugs and traffickers should be put in place. Finally school staff should be trained on the discipline and educative approach to tackling drug peddling and usage amongst their students.
