According to a press release from the
National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse
(CASA) at Columbia University. 80 PERCENT OF
HIGH SCHOOLERS, 44 PERCENT OF MIDDLE SCHOOLERS SEE
DRUGS USED, KEPT, SOLD, CLASSMATES DRUNK, HIGH ON
SCHOOL GROUNDS
These findings are from
the National Survey of American Attitudes on
Substance Abuse XII: Teens and Parents, the
twelfth annual back-to-school survey conducted by
CASA
At
least once a week, according to the survey, 31
percent of high school students (more than four
million) and nine percent of middle school
students (more than one million) see illegal drugs
used, sold, students high and/or students drunk.
And at least e very week, 17 percent of all high
and middle school students (4.4 million)
personally see classmates high on drugs at school.
That comes to 11 million high school students are
attending schools that are infested with alcohol
and other drugs.
The report goes on to say that teens who attend
schools infested with drugs are:
·
16 times likelier to use an illegal drug other
than marijuana or prescription drugs;
·
15 times likelier to abuse prescription drugs;
·
six times likelier to get drunk at least monthly;
·
five times likelier to use marijuana;
·
four times likelier to smoke cigarettes;
·
four times likelier to be able to buy marijuana
within a day; and
·
nearly six times likelier to be able to buy
marijuana within an hour than students who attend
drug-free schools.
Perhaps even more alarming is
that compared to the same survey in 2002
the proportion of students who attend schools
where drugs are used, kept or sold has jumped 39
percent for high school students and 63 percent
for middle school students.
From 2006 to 2007 the proportion jumped 20 percent
for high school students and 35 percent for middle
school students.
There needs to be more drug education done from
elementary school levels on up. And parents have
to become more involved in the whole drug
prevention process.
Another recent finding is that as the number of
family dinners participated in by youngsters on a
weekly basis goes up, the likelihood of that kid
using drugs goes significantly down!
So, although the news isn’t good, there is
something we can do about the trend. Encourage
participation by parents in the lives of their
sons and daughters. The more parents are involved,
the lower the chance of drug involvement in their
families.
And insist on solid drug education and prevention
efforts in the schools and at home.
Toll Free: 888-800-8331
