A recent survey conducted by the Eastern Michigan University School of Social Work revealed a disturbing trend in Detroit schools. A significant number of children in Grades 6-12 admitted having consumed alcohol, used tobacco products, or smoked marijuana. In fact, the number of students attending Detroit schools who have sought treatment for drug abuse is on the rise.
Feeling Left Out in Detroit Schools
Growing up in today's society is not easy. As the pace of modern life gets faster and faster, some of our young people feel left out or left behind. Despite our best efforts to teach children that using drugs is not the way to be accepted or feel better about themselves, for some reason students attending Detroit schools are still feeling the need to experiment with these substances.
Let's encourage these students to talk about their feelings and let's make a point of really listening to them. It's not always easy to make time for our children; it seems as if there are always a number of chores to be done or problems to be dealt with. Whether the children are attending Detroit schools or not, they need to have at least one person in their life who accepts them as they are and makes them feel important.
If we can encourage the young people attending Detroit schools to like and accept themselves, it is less likely that they will turn to alcohol or drugs to fill that void. Parents and school staff must work together to help students who are drug-free to stay that way and encourage those who are currently addicted to get help.
Detroit Schools Can Help Addicted Students
All members of the Detroit schools' community should be looking out for each other. The "Just Say No" message about using drugs and alcohol is a good one, but not all those attending Detroit schools are getting the message. The best scenario would be if none of the students tried these substances, but that is not realistic.
Using drugs and/or alcohol is a problem in itself, but it is also a symptom of a larger problem. Young people spend more time at school with their teachers and peers than they do with their parents. The people who are interacting with them every day are in a unique position to identify students attending Detroit schools who are or who may become addicts.
If you are thinking that it's not the Detroit schools' problem if some kids become addicted, you're dead wrong. Addictions end up costing all of us in terms of lost work days, lack of productivity, possible criminal charges, and health care costs. Let's all work together to facilitate early interventions for students at Detroit schools and elsewhere. These kids are worth it.
Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. For more information please visit Detroit Public Schools
Source: www.articledashboard.com