In recent years, the availability of synthetic drugs and widespread use of e-cigarettes have brought renewed attention to the issue of teenage drug use. With the start of the new school year, now is the opportune time to address this issue and unite parents and teachers in preventing this harmful behavior.
Despite ongoing discussions about drugs over the years, even today, many young students and their families are unaware of the true dangers of drug use and do not know how to avoid this issue.
The key to preventing drug use according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime's (UNODC) 2021 World Drug Report is a lack of awareness. The report shows that the percentage of American teenagers who consider marijuana harmful has decreased by 40%.
According to data from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, this type of marijuana is the most commonly used drug among minors, primarily through the use of e-cigarette devices. The second most common drugs used are prescription drugs such as stimulants, opioid pain relievers, sedatives, and muscle relaxants.
What factors influence drug use among teenagers? According to psychology PhD and family issues expert Christina Balinotti, the use of illegal drugs is on the rise because today's youth feel disconnected from their families, largely due to excessive use of electronic devices.
She stated that the lack of communication between parents and children has prompted a need for emotional connection, leading some children to resort to drug use as a means of escape.
Collaboration between schools and families
Preventing drug use among school populations is the joint task of parents and teachers, despite the fact that many times the problem originates in the classroom due to peer pressure and social influences.
According to Balinotti, schools have a responsibility to hold monthly meetings with parents to provide feedback on social and emotional interactions between families and the school. As for parents, they should be encouraged to openly communicate with teachers.
However, the first thing that parents should do is improve communication with their children. This translates to creating a space for dialogue at home without any digital distractions. For example, during family meals, adults can ask about what happened at school, validate their emotions, actively listen, and avoid making value judgments.
If children are raised to have open and fluid communication skills, as well as a secure attachment, they will be emotionally fulfilled. When problems arise, they will be better able to seek help from their caregivers.
According to 10 officers from the Dora Police Department, while teachers can do their best to prevent students from using drugs, the most important work needs to be done at home. Parents must understand that they are not their children's friends, and they must establish very clear rules at home. If children learn to follow these rules, they will also follow the rules of school, the community, the state, and the government.
Ten officers, including Officer Feliciano, who are part of the neighborhood resource division of the Dora Police Department, are responsible for facilitating the DARE program in Dora for fifth-grade students attending charter and private schools. The program covers topics such as bullying, social pressures, and drug use, in order to provide educational tools for parents and teachers.
This is a 10-week course designed for every fifth-grade classroom, with a weekly intensity of one hour. During each class, students can ask any questions related to the topic at hand, and officials will provide them with important information.
When it comes to drugs, we discuss what is available on the market and the effects of drug abuse so that they can make more informed decisions. For example, we explain to them how e-cigarettes can damage the lungs," said Officer Feliciano in standard journalistic English.
At the end of the ten-week period, all students will receive their graduation certificates during a ceremony at which they pledge to refrain from using drugs or engaging in any other harmful behaviors. Officials claim that this initiative, which began in 2008, is critical in preventing drug use within the Dora community and has been a success in this regard.
It is important to remain vigilant and report to authorities when cases are discovered. "Sometimes people say that something is happening, but they do not report it. However, we are here to educate and inform the community, and without reporting, we are powerless.
Although the dates for this year's DARE program have been set, parents are invited to exercise their responsibility without fear, even if it means checking their child's backpack, phone, and room. "We always tell them that minors who live at home don't have a right to privacy. Their protection comes first," officials summarize.
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