| Author |
Message |
Steve Jefferies (Admin)
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 42
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 31, 2005 - 8:45 am: |       |
Have you suspected a student(s) of drug use (and/or abuse), whether that use involves legal or over-the-counter substances? If so, have you gotten involved? Please tell us how. |
james patrick pace (Patpace)
New member
Username: Patpace
Post Number: 1
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, May 05, 2005 - 12:55 pm: | |
Steve
Are you talking about legal and otc drugs only? I've had a little experience with kids smoking weed before class. A couple of occaisions with alcohol. Anyway, I hope I'm not answering a question that you didn't ask...
I've taught in three very strong school districts in my 24 years of teaching / coaching. The students tell me that somewhere between 5-10% of the student body gets high daily, before or during the school day. I know almost everyone that teaches believes that they could tell by the smell, or see the glazed eyes, or detect paranoid behavior, etc. The truth is kids don't smoke pot using the methods of the 60-s and 70's. They almost never smell like it. A little eye drop and a piece of gum and I'm pretty sure I couldn't catch someone that had taken a hit off of his/her one hitter in the parking lot. The only people that are easy to catch are the rookies that get, "too high" or they actually smoked it in a car or somewhere where the smell lingers, or some other rookie mistake...
When I feel I know for certain, I escort the student to the main office and explain to the administrator. This is only an option if I'm quite certain that the administrator will tell by the smell or see some other sign that is undeniable. This has resulted in a couple of suspensions. The AP's that I've delt with have called the police and the parents.
When I suspect, but do not know beyond a shadow of a doubt, I do this. I tell the class that I have reason to believe that someone came to class high. If I smell it or see anything that leads me to believe you come to my class high, I am going to take you to the office and call your parents and the police. I'm attempting to let the "stoners" know that I have a little more insight than some teachers. I think it has worked for me. Unfortunately I'm sure I've missed many cases.
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Jeanie
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Saturday, August 13, 2005 - 9:22 pm: | |
I teach at a small school with a student body of about 210 students. I have caught kids with baggies of marijuana and have sent them to the principal who has called the cops. We have a bad drug problem in our community with many dealers and nothing gets done. Cocaine and Oxycontin pills are easier to come by than a 6 pack of beer. It seems like no one wants to get involved these days and that the drug dealers have more rights and they damn well know their rights. As a result our students lack motivation due to their habits....late night parties and drugging and drinking...sleeping in class or not attending at all. I don't know where their parents are, maybe doing what their kids are doing. I wish we had some judges with guts to take this S*#@ outta here. It is very sad and frustrating trying to teach a kid who has potential but is hungover or abusing drugs or smoking crack. I will always get involved if I suspect someone is high or cracked out. Last year we had a kid hooked on cough medicine..he was drinking the stuff in the bathrooms. The custodian found the empty bottles. If we turn away from students on drugs, we are accepting their behavior by ignoring it. |
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