25 replies to this topic

[ChainSaw]

Recently my school and the state issued a Substance Abuse Test, asking various questions about our family, ourselfs, and our friends. Of course the questions where about drugs and alcohol. Also there were question about how close we felt to our family and what not. In my opinion schools should not be doing this. The school should not take over the resposibility of the parent. Plus the fact that from my own personal experience no matter what anyone says when it comes time to choose if you will do drugs/drink or not it will come down to you. Imo i just think its wrong and i was wondering whats your position.

Please be serious, as this is a some what serious topic, i don't care if you make funny posts, but don't start fighting.

[Vodka]

I don't think it should be the school's responsibility either. It's your parents'. They're supposed to influence you.. by setting good examples.. above everyone else. Then you see all these things in the media saying it's either wrong to do it or advertising their products everywhere to be sold. When it comes down to it, you're the one that's going to take/make that big decision whether to do it or not. Just be sure to chose your decision wisely.. whenever you're stuck in that situation.. as it could effect the rest of your life.

[Da_J_Mooney]

dude ytf do that i mean seriously its ur choice now if ur doin a sport i could understand it but its invasion of ur privacy really i dont think it should happen not a good plan

[Exilus]

This does nothing but cause the thoughts. i need to do nothing, they will do it for me. So no i don't think the school shouldbe involved, of coarsei also don't believe that religion should be anywhere in schools, because they can not cover all beleifs, and will end up going to the most popular, and not the one the parent wishes the child to learn. but like it matters what we think, look at the last election.....

[Go Away]

No, they shouldn't do this, we need to get back to the point where parents had to be parents. The school is trying to take on all these other tasks that the parents don't want to do, so we end up with less education and more kids frustrated by strangers telling them how to run their lives.

I remember once when an officer came to my school with an assortment of drugs for a little speech on why you shouldn't get involved with them. When it came time for him to leave, someone had already stolen all of it...

Lot of good he did.

[Momba]

Best idea since the condom.

Parents can't be parents in the tradtional sense. Todays economy requires two incomes to have any kind of a decent life for our children. Not like when I was growing up and Dad went to work at Ford each day and made enough for Mom to sit at home and raise kids. So often times in todays society parents don't have the time to reinforce the lessons they try to teach thier children.

I applaud the schools for helping with this issue. Drugs today are unlike almost anything that was avalible when I myself was growing up. Kids today have found ways to get high off of everything from paint cans to ice.

My daughter is 6 and my son is 4. If in 10 years I am still working my current schedule (3:30PM-12:00AM). I will see them as I do know on the weekends or for a few brief moments in the morning. I work this schedule because that is what it currently takes for me as a parent to provide my kids with what they need. Sure I could take a 1st shift job and be home everynight. But I would make alot less then I make now. I need outside help. And concidering my kids are in school 33% of thier day I am thankful that the school has stepped up to offer the help I need.

I have sat on this computer playing this game for over 2 years. I have met some of the brightest kids there are. One thing they have all had is common tho is that you can't tell em chit. Like me 20 years ago I knew everything. Take the time to be kids. Stop bucking the damn system. I swear on all that is good in this world that it is not there to brainwash or hurt you. It is there to prepare you for what is to come.

[Wafer]

It used to be that all the community was involved in the raising of kids.

When I was young, if a stranger caught me misbehaving and gave me a 'clip round the ear' my Mum would have thanked him.

If that happened now, if the kid didn't stab or sue the guy, the parents certainly would.

I applaud any school or state with the balls to take more an active role in the parenting of children.

[Go Away]

Kids today have found ways to get high off of everything from paint cans to ice.

That's the thing... see, the kids aren't figuring these things out for themselves. Unfortunately, part of this 'drug education' program finds the instructor/officer/whoever showing the kids what drugs not to take, and then the kids know what's available.

During my stay at high school, I had several offers for drugs, but I knew if I did, I'd get a nice smacking with a belt when I got home. Now if a parent hits their child with a belt, they get arrested. Dunno about the rest of the world, but this is one of the reasons why America is so screwed up right now. We whine too much now, over the wrong things... Bring back the belts, and take away these pointless programs please.

[Momba]

Dunno about the rest of the world, but this is one of the reasons why America is so screwed up right now. We whine too much now, over the wrong things.

Edited by Momba, 08 December 2004 - 07:54 PM.

[Crane]

It's not just in America, my friend... it is the same in the United Kingdom too. Even only through the 18 years I've been around I've seen things change for the worse... 8-year-olds becoming ever more obnoxious and knowledgeable about things they shouldn't even know about... banning of most corporal punishment, first at schools and now at the home.

I never really thought about the way we were educated over drugs because I already had the instinct to say "no", but now you put it that way, it looks nice it needs restructuring.

But education starts at home, not at school. Although it is so hard for parents these days, with professionals telling them how and how not to do things and basically made to feel incompetent. And the issue of teenage pregnancies - I would have thought males could be a bit more responsible.

The problem does not simply lie with drugs and substance abuse; the roots go a lot, lot deeper...

[Darklin]

When i was forced to take sex ed, i was forced to take substance and alcohol abuse education right after. The kind of class im sure everyone has been through since the early 90's at least. Where an assigned 'counselor' takes over your science period for a month and each day discusses the effects of a certain drug/and or sad sob story. Kind of like the old films in drivers ed where they scare you into not going over 30mph. I thought this was the most schools do, force unwilling kids to listen to hours of drug facts and medical complications. And really i have no problem with it because it -was- education in a twisted sort of way and i got out of actual science for month.

My point: the most schools should be able to do is educate and offer people to talk to. Not probe into nuts that is none of their business... thats our parent's job.

[Valveous]

Just let people make their own decisions, thats the way life should be.

[Lady_Maha]

Just let people make their own decisions, thats the way life should be.

I don't know how old you are, but I am looking at this from a mom's point of view.

My children, though they are people, are by no means mature enough yet to "just make their own decisions" and I know from personal experience that most teenagers are only partially capable of making proper choices. All it takes is a bit of peer pressure and the insecurity that comes along with puberty, and you slide into the spiral called drugs.

Don't get me wrong, I am a supporter of legalizing pot even, but the minimum age for mj consumption should be the same as that for alcohol. Children nowadays are lucky if they are exposed to pot only. You see teenagers run about with synthetic drugs (ecstacy for example) that are far more dangerous than smoking the occasional blunt, and considering the amount of time my children spend in school, I think it is only right for schools to get involved. As a mom I might be able to check their room at home if I have a feeling that they might be doing drugs, but I can't check their lockers and classmates.

Neither parents nor schools are doing drug prevention programs to destroy the children's fun, we are doing it to ensure they have a future.

Edited by Lady_Maha, 10 December 2004 - 09:35 PM.

[Squee]

Just let people make their own decisions, thats the way life should be.

Hiel.

Edit: Lady_Maha totally stole my thunder.

Edited by Squee, 10 December 2004 - 09:37 PM.

[Lady_Maha]

So sorry

[Pandilex]

Many kids need all the help they can get. Many come from broken homes, and will destroy their own lives unless people take the time to help them.

Kudos for schools to get involved.

[EvilDognapot]

substance abuse is a problem by definition. substance use is not inherently problematic. the question is retarded.

it would be nice if schools could help people substance abuse problems but schools are ill-equipped to diagnose, and treat substance abuse or addiction. more than likely any school that attempts to 'help' will wind up being more effectively enforcing a set of rules where they will often be unwelcome and ineffective. also, a public school does have obligations to notify the proper authorities in a lot of cases. parents supporting this notion could easily find themselves childless.

[sayadin]

ok, first of all, by doing a drug program in school, its not going to help, after school they will be doing it. Not because its a Drug but because you tell them not to. its kinda like reverse psychology. also its parents who get too much into their teens life that the teen need somebody to actually talk to and that will be their friends. many of these kids that go to that kind of position is when they ask their parents for answers and the parents instead of taking it easy and explain gradually to them of what it is and what it can do, they just say don't do it, it is bad for you.....

that won't cut it. And pot should be legal. but not used while operating heavy machinery, driving a vehicle, or doing anything of that sort. Most teens can't get a job which is the cause of drug tests. if they fail they can't get a job. a kid might be the most intelligent in the city and they won't hire him just because of thc.

i know this topic is for all drugs. and including household items. so all school should do is just have programs explaining what each drug do and what it could cause, truthfully. and not force the kids. like everyone is saying its their own choice. from ages 1-13 its the parents job to guide their sons and daughters through life and explain to them what it is full of. from 14-death. its theirs own actions. I know the age seems to be a lil young but that is the time when most kids feel they need responsibilities. so schools, work, and others shouldn't interfere to what a person does in their free time.

to some of those who have kids i would warned your kids of these types of drugs:

cocaine
acid
extacy
heroine
shrooms
ludes
speed
meth

and also explain some slogans that is the same meaning but different sounds such as mary jane or white pony. if you can't think of any because you never done none of it, then go search on the internet.

if that fails find somebody who is your friend but is in a crappy life because of drugs and explain to you child why your friend is in a crappy life.

[Lady_Maha]

substance abuse is a problem by definition. substance use is not inherently problematic. the question is retarded.

it would be nice if schools could help people substance abuse problems but schools are ill-equipped to diagnose, and treat substance abuse or addiction. more than likely any school that attempts to 'help' will wind up being more effectively enforcing a set of rules where they will often be unwelcome and ineffective. also, a public school does have obligations to notify the proper authorities in a lot of cases. parents supporting this notion could easily find themselves childless.

Schools getting involved means that there are also councellors for those kids who do not wish to talk to their parents. Also, as I said in a previous post, I can check my child's room for drugs, but not their locker at school.

From a certain age on children (teenagers) spend a substantial amount of their daytime in school, meaning that potential drug abuse is more likely noted by the teachers, especially in nowadays society where most parents are working full time jobs.

If one of my children has a drug problem, I would expect the school to help, inform me and work together with me, since it's more likely for them to have a psychologist available that has experience in the drug field and can help with suggestions how to handle the situation. Of course it is my responsibility as a parent to find proper medical help.

Yes, schools notify authorities, but they also inform the parents. Keeping our children drug free should be a mutual effort, and no authorities will take children away from their parents if they see that the parents are doing their best to fix the problem, they will assist instead. Only when a child or teenager is getting completely out of control will they take the kid away, and in that case I would rather see my child in an institution where she's safe, than dying in some gutter through a drug overdose.

[jurian]

i didn't read all replies because i ahrdly read these forums but atm i am extremely bored.

but i voted no, it's not the schools job to raise kids, that's what parents are for. we have stuff talking about how bad drugs are and stuff everywhere. and actually most coffeeshop owners will tell you that they started the coffee shop to inform people about the dangers of drugs use and to help people (of all ages) take a save way in learning to use drugs. A coffee shop owner is not allowed to offer you any drugs! you have to ask for it yourself and some research ahve shown that allmost all coffeeshops follow this rule (a few were actually closed in the beginning because they did offer their clients drugs) but we've got folders and stuff everywhere about drugs so not much left for schools to do.

pretty much same applies to alcohol we've got loads of commercials and folders and nuts about it there isn't much school can add.

but my main point is that parents should prevent their children from using drugs or whatever not the school.

[EvilDognapot]

substance abuse is a problem by definition. substance use is not inherently problematic. the question is retarded.

it would be nice if schools could help people substance abuse problems but schools are ill-equipped to diagnose, and treat substance abuse or addiction. more than likely any school that attempts to 'help' will wind up being more effectively enforcing a set of rules where they will often be unwelcome and ineffective. also, a public school does have obligations to notify the proper authorities in a lot of cases. parents supporting this notion could easily find themselves childless.

Schools getting involved means that there are also councellors for those kids who do not wish to talk to their parents. Also, as I said in a previous post, I can check my child's room for drugs, but not their locker at school.

From a certain age on children (teenagers) spend a substantial amount of their daytime in school, meaning that potential drug abuse is more likely noted by the teachers, especially in nowadays society where most parents are working full time jobs.

If one of my children has a drug problem, I would expect the school to help, inform me and work together with me, since it's more likely for them to have a psychologist available that has experience in the drug field and can help with suggestions how to handle the situation. Of course it is my responsibility as a parent to find proper medical help.

Yes, schools notify authorities, but they also inform the parents. Keeping our children drug free should be a mutual effort, and no authorities will take children away from their parents if they see that the parents are doing their best to fix the problem, they will assist instead. Only when a child or teenager is getting completely out of control will they take the kid away, and in that case I would rather see my child in an institution where she's safe, than dying in some gutter through a drug overdose.

i don't know what country you hail from maha, but i'm from the US and i wouldn't trust my schools advise or council my dog. it should be known i'm also a "cat person". public counciling is pretty poor, but school councilors are doomed to be as helpfull as those folded paper triangles that the kids made in jr. high. i know it seems like it could be helpfull but this is a school were talking about, and this is substance abuse. the two phenomenons work on mysterious unproven, highly debated theories, that are put into practice through a series poorly construed bureacracies and academic studies that aren't even summarized for the bureacracy. furthermore, the profession of education and the profession of therapy are diametrically opposing sides of the finance spectrum. schools can't afford to do education well, or advice well, they can't treat substance abuse well. put simply, we don't know how to teach kids stuff, and we don't know how to identify problem usage, or treat problem users. so it's certainly not the time to compound tragedies.

[Squee]

i don't know what country you hail from maha, but i'm from the US and i wouldn't trust my schools advise or council my dog.

...I'm sorry to hear that but here in southern Ontario, Canada, our school guidance department is really helpful. ^^;

[Thunderja]

Addiction and abuse are for cats, really have some self control. I have done A LOT of drinking and other nuts and could give up at the drop of a hat, and as for abusing it... done by choice and at appropriate times. People are weak, harden up.

<Didn't even read just wanted a rant and could find no pro homosexual threads>

[Lady_Maha]

Ah yes Dognapot, I see your point. When I lived in the US I guess I was lucky my daughter went to a fairly decent school. Of course it could also be that she wasn't old enough to be out of elementary school, and generally elementary schools appear to be better staff and councelling wise than middle and high schools (although the school nurse was a brainless idiot).

I now live over in Germany, and I find the education system to be much better here. My daughter's teachers are very caring and involved, her homeroom teacher goes out of her way to develope a personal relationship to each of her students.

I guess it's theory and praxis that is the key in the US. Theoretically schools getting involved is the right key, but to do it the proper way in praxis appearently lacks.

Edited by Lady_Maha, 17 December 2004 - 08:48 AM.

[Wafer]

doing a drug program in school, its not going to help, after school they will be doing it

, that's not the point. What you hope to achieve is to provide

kids feel they need responsibilities

with informed information rather than school yard rumour, so that they CAN make an informed decision.

And if

Not because its a Drug but because you tell them not to. its kinda like reverse psychology

someone is that immature that that is how they make decisions, that is someone who needs all the supervision they can get.

Most teens can't get a job which is the cause of drug tests. if they fail they can't get a job. a kid might be the most intelligent in the city and they won't hire him just because of thc.

That is just naive. It IS illegal and as a manager, it would certainly indicate to me that someone who habitually breaks the law, would have no compunction about lying, perhaps even pilfering, and yep sign him up, that is definately someone we want on board.

(and before some smartarse tries to say that there is no comparison with lying and drug taking in this instance, if they had admitted to substance abuse in their application, i wouldn't be testing them!)

14-death. its theirs own actions. I know the age seems to be a lil young but that is the time when most kids feel they need responsibilities. so schools, work, and others shouldn't interfere to what a person does in their free time.

From 14-18 kids feel that they should sleep to whenever, be surly to any authority figure, slack off from anything that requires physical labour if it doesn't involve self gratification. LMAO

most kids feel they need responsibilities

, what planet do you live on? LOL

[Ryuku]

Ultimately, nothing is right, nothing is wrong. It's all what the higher person sets for rules for us to abide by.