Keeping Kids Drug-Free
There may be no greater threat to schools and family than that of a substance abuse. Millions of Americans of all ages admit to the regular use of illicit drugs, the abuse of alcohol and the misuse of prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications. Substance abuse knows no boundaries, be they race, age, religion, education, economic or geographic.
On June 27, 2002, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a ruling that allows public schools to randomly drug test students involved in extracurricular activities. This has given the green light to public schools across the country to use random drug testing procedures. In 2008 NMS Management Services applied for a “Random Student Drug Testing Grant” from the U.S. Department of Education. NMS was awarded the Grant for a three year period. The random student drug testing program implemented and managed by NMS for the School District of Palm Beach County has proven successful. The use of drugs and alcohol have been reduced by 5%. A school policy against drugs can help a community solve the problem of substance abuse. How?
For many years, businesses have been successfully applying substance abuse prevention to help establish Drug-Free Workplaces. These programs usually include a policy that prohibits the use of illegal drugs and the abuse of alcohol, training for supervisors and education for employees, and drug testing as a way of deterring use and identifying those who need help.
A school and/or family policy against drugs works in a similar way. Just like the workplace policy against drugs, the school/family policy includes a purpose statement, identifies prohibited behavior, lists the consequences for violations of the policy as well as the rewards for policy compliance, and explains what is expected of each individual. The policy requires teachers and parents to become educated about substance abuse, to talk to kids about drugs, and to ensure everyone's compliance.
As with businesses faced with the substance abuse problem, there is much at stake for the school or family. Responsible parents and teachers know that drugs can destroy family stability and seriously jeopardize children's future success as well as physical and mental health. A policy against drugs helps everyone involved understand three important things:
- Parents love their children enough to actively take a stand against drugs
- Everyone in the community plays an important role in keeping children drug-free; and
- No one is alone in the fight against drugs and alcohol – family, school and community are there for the children and students, both to protect them from drugs and to help those who are suffering with substance abuse.