Students at Rodriguez High School in Vacaville, California, who are caught drinking have something more than detention to look forward to. Instructor Shanti Hendderson -- who has first-hand knowledge of the devastation that can result from teen alcohol abuse -- has started a program aimed at teaching teens the dangers of alcohol use.

The purpose, [Henderson] said, is to provide a comfortable environment where students can discuss and analyze their problem. ...

Hendderson doesn't just talk from a book. She knows from first hand-experience how alcohol hurts. "In my senior year of high school, I was in a car accident with my best friend and her boyfriend. I was the only survivor," she said. (Source: The Reporter)

Today, Henderson uses her experience as a means of educating students. They learn about the effects alcohol has on the body and mind, and about possible genetic predispositions to alcohol abuse and alcoholism.

Labels: alcohol_abuse, high school, teenage_drinking

On Wednesday, June 17, the Winnacunnet (N.H.) School Board voted to increase the penalties for students who violate the school's drug policy. Winnacunnet students who are caught using alcohol or another drug three times will be permanently banned from high school sports.

Currently, if a student violates the policy, he or she is suspended for 10 days. [Students] can 'buy back' five of those days by enrolling in an approved substance abuse education program. A second offense during the season means removal from the team for the remainder of the year. (Source: Seacoast Online)

Athletic Director Carol Dozibrin said the change in policy came after the school realized it had the weakest penalties in the district.

Labels: drug use, high school

Students who abuse prescription medication often "fly under the radar" according to school officials in Muskegon County, Michigan. Still, most schools have programs ready to help those students for whom drug use of any kind is a known problem.

"Muskegon High School has a network of teachers, student specialists, administrators and guidance counselors who are alert for signs that students may be using drugs...If such changes are noted, school officials will talk to the student, at the same time including parents and guardians. Counseling, tutoring or even outside resources may be offered."

The county is finding that an increasing number of students bring prescription medications to schools (particularly Ritalin and Adderall) with the intent of selling it to fellow students.

Labels: awareness, high school, prescription_drugs

Of the more than 7 1/2 million people who attended college in 2005, 1.8 million met the medical criteria for substance abuse or dependence. The report was released by the National Center of Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University and says this number is about 2 1/2 times the national average.

"[The center's president, Joseph Califano Jr.] said nearly two-thirds of college student drinkers began drinking in high school, and 8% began in junior high."

Use of prescription drugs has skyrocketed among college students, as has marijuana use. Read more at Freep.com.

Labels: binge drinking, college, high school, students

The Pequannock High School recently approved a new "Monday Test" that can determine if students had been drinking for up to 80 hours prior to the test. The tests will take place each Monday, but testing is voluntary and will not be forced.

"...students who test positive will not be kicked off sports teams or barred from extracurricular activities. Instead they will receive counseling, and their parents will be notified."

This is not the first school district to implement such tests. Alcohol and drug testing has been implement in several other states, including Texas. Pequannock implemented drug testing in 2005 and has seen a dramatic reduction is drug use among the school's students. Read more at DailyRecord.com.

Labels: drug testing, high school, students