Substance Abuse In Students Continued

Substance Abuse In Students Continued

KEY FACTORS LINKED TO SUBSTANCE USE

By the time a teen graduates from high school, he/she is faced with a conscious decision of whether or not to use tobacco, alcohol or other drugs. Each student’s choice is related largely to the interplay of two factors:

* Availabilty: The more available tobacco, alcohol and other drugs, the more likely students are to use them. For example, among youth who say that it is fairly or very easy to obtain marijuana 12.9 percent are current users; among those who say that it is difficult to obtain marijuana, only 2 percent report current use.

* Perception of Risk: Students are more likely to smoke, drink or use drugs when they believe that the harm associated with use is low. For example, teens who believe there is no risk or only slight risk of harm in smoking marijuana use a month is six times likelier to be current marijuana users than teens who believe there is a moderate or great risk of harm (18.5 vs. 3.1 percent).

RESPONSIBILITY RESTS ON MANY FOORSTEPS

Parent’s substance use handicaps children

Prenatal exposure to tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs can produce changes in the brain of the developing fetus leaving the child with mild to severe cognitive deficits, and increasing the risks of behavioral and conduct disorders such as impulsive behavior and ADHD. Prenatal exposure to these substances has been linked to lower IQ, impaired verbal and math skills and problems with attention and learning.

Children who grow up in a home where parents abuse substances also are at risk for poor academic outcomes. Children exposed to the chaotic, stressful homes of substance abusers are likelier to have lower grades or more suspensions, disciplinary referrals and grade repetitions than other children. Children of alcoholics are at higher risk of alcohol abuse and addiction.

Many Administrators and Teachers Do Not Recognize The Magnitude Of The Problem Or Risk Of Drug Use.

Remarkable differences exist between students’ and school personnel’s perception of drug use. When asked if their school grounds were drug free, 11 percent of principals and 35 percent of teachers said they were not, compared to 66 percent of students. While only five percent of principals report that students drink on school grounds, 33 percent of students say that drinking occurs at school. Remarkably, half of all high shool teachers believe that a student who uses marijuana every week-end can still do well in school compared with 48 percent of principals and 23 percent of students.

Substance abuse by school staff compromises students’ education and contribution to the unhealthy messages conveyed to students about substance abuse. Substance-abusing employees use three times as many sick days as non-users, users are absent from work three weeks more per year than non-substance abusing workers, and are fired from their jobs about 50 percent more often than other workers. Absences and turnover of school staff all take their toll on student learning

 

By Pernell Johnson BA CADC ICADC CAS

I am a certified alcohol and drug counselor. I have a website that discusses these issues, alcohol and other drugs of abuse. http://www.whataddictionisnot.blogspot.com

or you can email me at; pernell@recoverfromaddiction.com

 

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