Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/72908
dents avoid drugs and alcohol. "Middle school is the starting ground for this behav- ior, because students are trying to become adults and want to grow up fast," Bendickson says. When she suspects drug use or abuse, Bendickson talks to the student and parents. She counsels students and refers them to programs with trained substance abuse counselors. "It's important for me to build trust with students," senting our school in any way, shape or form, they should be held accountable. sniff out illegal substances on a random basis. The dis- trict decided to bring in dogs, which have sniffed out pot and prescription pills in students' cars, after an increase in drug-related suspensions. "I wouldn't mind if they brought the dogs onto cam- In some school districts, including Pleasanton, dogs " says the Sacramento City Teachers Association member. "We are a child's last hope. They know they can come to us when they have problems." Papas agrees. "It goes beyond the 'just say no' cam- pus and into the classroom. Drugs have no place at school, paign. Programs and curricula stressing decision-making skills, conflict resolution skills and life skills go beyond the topics of drug and alcohol prevention. They encour- age kids how to make better choices for themselves," she says. Standing firm Teachers say that "just say no" is not enough. A compre- hensive approach works best. Surveys show that all these personal interactions make an important difference. "You can't just tell them not to take drugs," says Dana dents from using. "If you feel a student is using drugs, help that student. Talk to them. Get involved," she says. "Call the parents. Mallet believes school employees can help stop stu- " says Farthing. Call the police if you have to. Don't let them walk out that door. You could be saving that kid's life. " A NEW RESOURCE Jones, who teaches at Windsor Oaks Academy. "Encour- age them to respect themselves and feel good about themselves. Encourage them to be healthy, and to have good relationships with parents and friends. Kids take drugs because they may not necessarily like who they are or how they feel. We can change that." Jones urges her students to be "independent thinkers, instead of lemmings running off a cliff. Deal with family or emotional issues in a positive way instead of getting high." Windsor Oaks Academy is a continuation school with at- risk students, so staff and students work closely with a counselor from the Drug Abuse Alternative Center. Besides appealing to their sense of individuality and helping them develop coping skills, Diane Farthing edu- cates students about the dire impact drugs can have on their brains (see sidebar, page 11). What happens if students come to school high? "We take a firm stance in our district," says Jones, Wind- sor District Education Association. "It has helped us to curb a lot of issues." If students come to school under the influence, they are immediately suspended and the authorities are notified. Other districts also take a firm stance. Shasta Union RX FOR UNDERSTANDING The NEA Health Information Network (NEA HIN), with the support of an educational grant from Purdue Pharma L.P., has created "Rx for Understanding," a new resource for middle school teachers focusing on the critical health problem of prescription drug abuse and misuse. Consisting of 10 standards-based, cross-curricular lessons for grades 5-8, "Rx for Understanding" is available free from NEA HIN. For more information go to www.neahin.org/ rxforunderstanding. MORE RESOURCES The National Institute on Drug Abuse, which oversees programs helping to combat the drug problem. www.drugabuse.gov Parents: The Anti-Drug. www.theantidrug.com/advice American Council for Drug Education. www.acde.org Office of Safe and Healthy Schools (formerly the Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools). www.ed.gov/print/about/offices/list/osdfs/ programs.html High School District is drug-testing students in extra- curricular activities such as choir, the school band and Future Farmers of America. "It gives students an easy way out if they feel pressured to take drugs. Students sign a waiver agreeing to this, so it's a personal choice, at Enterprise High School. "I think if a student is repre- " says Roberts, a resource specialist Drugs and Teen Substance Abuse: Explains the effects various drugs cause on the human body. www.focusas.com/SubstanceAbuse.html California Department of Education: Provides a list of state-approved substance abuse education programs. www.cde.ca.gov/ls/he/at/scibprog.asp June/July 2012 www.cta.org 15