Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/72908
Dana Jones teaches at-risk students at Windsor Oaks Academy, a continuation school in Sonoma County. continued from page 12 Safe and Drug-Free Schools Program was cut by a third between 1999 and 2008. State grants from the federal program dropped from $38 million for 2004-05 to $28 million for 2009-10 in California — and funding was completely eliminated in July 2010. IF YOU SUSPECT A STUDENT IS USING DRUGS: Don't ignore the problem. Talk to the student about being healthy and making good choices. Share suspicions with parents and urge them to seek help immediately. Refer the student to appropriate guidance counselor or administrator as needed. drug prevention and intervention programs, says Stepha- nie Papas, a school health education consultant for the California Department of Education. "Recipients had to administer the California Healthy Kids survey to gather data directly from students on current drug use, tobacco use and alcohol use. Schools also had to implement pro- grams proven to be effective in preventing drug, alcohol and tobacco. There were valuable strings attached to the funding of tered, Papas believes drug use is up. Budget cuts at the state level have led to a shortage of While the Healthy Kids survey is no longer adminis- " school counselors to reach out to troubled students. Cali- fornia ranks last in the ratio of students per counselor; the state averages 945 to 1, compared with the national average of 477 to 1. Rebecca Bendickson is the only counselor at John Still Middle School in Sacramento, and she received a pink slip. She believes counselors are crucial in helping stu- 14 California Educator June/July 2012