When school officials found heroin in a student's car, they thought they were dealing with an isolated incident. But in the past four years, six Portage Public School students have died from a heroin overdose as the result of a steadily growing drug network.

"No hard numbers are available, but officials, parents and users estimate up to 30 Portage teenagers have been part of the drug network over the past few years...Some families have found their credit cards stolen and belongings pawned by their children who were in search of money to maintain a heroin habit."

In response, Portage schools have overhauled their drug enforcement program, implementing changes that include monthly visits by drug-sniffing dogs, harsher penalties for possession of drugs, and regular substance abuse information meetings for staff and parents. Source: Kalamazoo Gazette

Labels: heroin, public_schools, trends

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School districts in Connecticut have had to face the fact that drug use is increasing among middle- and high-school students. In light of that fact, school districts are determining the best ways to respond.

"...Trumbull Public Schools and other school districts require students to take breath tests before they enter a school dance... The Darien Public School system is considering giving its middle- and high-school students a survey next year to find out about issues facing them, including substance abuse."

Districts also work with local drug coalitions and some schools employ full-time substance abuse counselors. Source: The Connecticut Post

Labels: schools, drug testing, public_schools

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Currently most school districts in the U.S. don't allow charter school students to participate in public school-based athletic programs unless a co-op agreement exists between the two schools. But a new Minnesota legislative bill would give students attending recovery-based schools the chance to participate.

"Any need for a co-op agreement would be dissolved under [State Rep. Mary Liz] Holberg's bill if the student is attending a recovery-focused high school after successfully completing a licensed treatment program for alcohol or substance abuse, mental illness or emotional disturbance."

The rules prohibiting substance abuse would still apply and be enforced for any student participating in sports programs. Holberg believes that giving the kids healthy, productive ways to spend their time as their battling substance abuse will aid in their recovery. Read more at TwinCitites.com.

Labels: athletics, public_schools, sports

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