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Safe and Drug Free Schools Program
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The mission of the Safe and Drug-Free Schools program is to empower young people to make positive choices, enhancing life through freedom from violence, alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. The multi-tiered model of prevention and intervention services provides a clear and consistent "no-use" message for the students and parents of Dublin City Schools in order to delay the onset of initial alcohol use and to intervene to prevent future use.
CONTACT INFORMATION
For additional information, referral resources, or to discuss a concern about a child or situation, please contact:
Dana Jackson, LISW, LICDC
Phone: 614-764-5950
Email: jackson_dana@dublinschools.net
Danielle Henn, LISW-S, LCDC III
Phone: 614-760-6371
Email: henn_danielle@dublinschools.net
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Why do teens use drugs?
One reason often heard from people using drugs is that they do them to feel good. For real, it does feel good because most drugs act directly on the "pleasure center"--the limbic system--in the brain. The first few times it can be considered recreational use. Some might light up a cigarette at a party. They might not consider themselves a "smoker," but they do it to feel good or to "look cool." Someone might smoke pot at their friend's house because they think it could be fun. The problem? Drugs don't care what the reason is. The same effects can occur whether you're drinking to have fun or drinking to forget a problem, whether you're doing drugs to see how they feel or doing them to be one of the crowd. People do drugs to change the way they feel. Often they want to change their situation. If they're depressed, they want to become happy. If they are stressed or nervous, they want to relax, and so on. By taking drugs, people often think they can be the person they want to be. The problem? It isn't real. You haven't changed the situation; you've only distorted it for a little while. Following are some of the reasons people say they do drugs to feel good or change the situation:
- Because they want to fit in. No one wants to be the only one not participating. No one wants to be left out. So sometimes they make bad decisions, like taking drugs, to cover-up their insecurities. They don't think about how drugs can isolate you from your friends and family. They forget to look past that one party to see how things could turn out. Or maybe they just
don't see the people around them who aren't using drugs. - Because they want to escape or relax. You'll hear a lot of people saying things like "I'm so stressed, I need to get messed up!" or "Drugs help me relax" or whatever. What they're really saying is "Drinking or doing drugs is just easier than dealing with my problems or reaching out for help." The thing is, the problems are still there when they come down--and not only do they still have to deal with it, they have to deal with it when they're not 100% and feeling guilty or even worse, when they're not thinking straight.
- Because they're bored. Lots of people turn to drugs for a little excitement because they say there's nothing else to do but watch the same Simpsons' rerun for the tenth time or hang. But people who make these kinds of decisions usually find out that drugs are ultimately really a waste and painful. Drugs don't change the situation, and they just might make it worse.
- Because they think it makes them seem grown-up. This is one of the weirdest reasons. Think about it... why would an adult want to use drugs? Probably for many of the same reasons you would consider. The reality is that the most grown-up people out there aren't users. They're too busy living their lives to bother with stuff, like drugs, that will interfere.
- Because they want to rebel. Sometimes people turn to drugs not so much for themselves, but to make a statement against someone else, such as their families or society in general. Somehow taking drugs makes them outlaws or more individual. The problem is taking drugs, ultimately, robs these people of their ability to be independent, because it makes them dependent--on drugs and their drug connections.
- Because they want to experiment. It's human nature to want to experiment. Trying things out helps you decide if they're right for you. But it's also human nature to avoid things that are obviously bad for you. You wouldn't experiment with jumping off the Brooklyn Bridge. The point is, there are a zillion better things to experiment with -- sports, music, dying your hair, seeing bad movies, eating spicy food... than getting involved with alcohol, tobacco or other drugs.
- Because they want to fit in. No one wants to be the only one not participating. No one wants to be left out. So sometimes they make bad decisions, like taking drugs, to cover-up their insecurities. They don't think about how drugs can isolate you from your friends and family. They forget to look past that one party to see how things could turn out. Or maybe they just
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What are some of the prevention initiatives at DCS?
Teen Institute
The Teen Institute program consists of drug-free high school students that encourage their peers and younger students to live a life free of violence, alcohol, tobacco and other drugs (VATOD). These students participate in ongoing leadership training, prevention programs, community service projectsand social drug-free events. The Teen Institute students serve as positive role models throughout the school district and community with programs such as DARE and the Buddy Program. Several students have the opportunity to become involved in the county and state programs.
Junior Teen Institute
Junior Teen Institute is a middle school club for students interested in living a life free of VATOD. These students participate in numerous activities supporting peers and other students to be drug-free by supporting school wide prevention programs and social drug-free fun events. High school Teen Institute members serve as co-advisors with the adult staff.
Winners' Choice Camp (WCC)
Ten seventh graders from each middle school participate in a two-day leadershipprogram. Under the direction of the Franklin County Safe and Drug-Free School Consortium, WCC brings together seventh graders from all Franklin County middle schools to focus on healthy life-style choices. Drug-free high schoolstudents serve as youth staff for WCC. Follow-up activities and programs are provided for these students in their home school.
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What are some warning signs of drug and alcohol use?
Warning signs may include distance from family and existing friends, hanging out with a new circle of friends, lack of interest in personal appearance, or changes in eating or sleeping habits. These changes often signal that something harmful is going on -- and often that involves alcohol or drugs. You may want to take your child to the doctor and ask him or her about screening your child for drugs and alcohol. This may involve the health professional asking your child a simple question, or it may involve a urine or blood drug screen. However, some of these signs also indicate there may be a deeper problem with depression, or even suicidal thoughts. Be on the watch for these signs so that you can spot trouble before it goes too far.
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What are some tips for parents?
Parents, you are the first line of defense when it comes to your child's drug use or drinking. And you do make a difference! Nearly two-thirds of teenagers see great risk of upsetting their parents or losing the respect of family and friends if they smoke marijuana or use other drugs. There are some simple steps you can take to keep track of your child's activities. Of course, your kids might not like you keeping tabs on where they are and what they're doing. It won't be a democracy, and it shouldn't be, according to many parenting experts. In the end,it's not pestering, it's parenting. Set rules. Let your teen know that drug and alcohol use is unacceptable and that these rules are set to keep him or her safe. Set limits with clear consequences for breaking them.
Praise and reward good behavior for compliance and enforce consequences for non-compliance. Know where your teen is and what he or she will be doing during unsupervised time. Research shows that teens with unsupervised time are three times more likely to use marijuana or other drugs. Unsupervised teens are also more likely to engage in risky behaviors such as underage drinking, sexual activity, and cigarette smoking than other teens. This is particularly important after school, in the evening hours, and also when school is out during the summer or holidays. Talk to your teen. While shopping or riding in the car, casually ask him or her how things are going at school, about his friends, what his plans are for the weekend, etc. Keep them busy - especially between 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and into the evening hours. Engage your teen in after-school activities. Enroll your child in a supervised educational program or a sports league. Research shows that teens who are involved in constructive, adult-supervised activities are less likely to use drugs than other teens.
Check on your teenager. Occasionally check in to see that your kids are where they say they're going to be and that they are spending time with whom they say they are with. Establish a "core values statement" for your family. Consider developing a family mission statement that reflects your family's core values. This might be discussed and created during a family meeting or over a weekend meal together. Talking about what they stand for is particularly important at a time when teens are pressured daily by external influencers on issues like drugs, sex, violence, or vandalism. If there is no compass to guide your kids, the void will be filled by the strongest force.
Spend time together as a family regularly and be involved in your kid's lives. Create a bond with your child. This builds up credit with your child so that when you have to set limits or enforce consequences, it's less stressful. Take time to learn the facts about marijuana and underage drinking and talk to your teen about its harmful health, social, learning, and mental effects on young users. Visit the drug information area of TheAntiDrug.com Get to know your teen's friends (and their parents) by inviting them over for dinner or talking with them at your teen's soccer practice, dance rehearsal, or other activities.
Stay in touch with the adult supervisors of your child (camp counselors, coaches, employers, teachers) and have them inform you of any changes in your teen. Warning signs of drug use include distance from family and existing friends, hanging out with a new circle of friends, lack of interest in personal appearance, or changes in eating or sleeping habits.
