Finney High School in Detroit, Michigan, will start random drug testing on its students this fall. A three-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education is making the program possible.

"Three types of students will be tested: those who volunteer and have their parents' permission, those in athletic programs and those who participate in school-sponsored extracurricular activities."

The program will test for marijuana, heroin, prescription drugs, cocaine, and methamphetamines. Students who test positive won't be punished, but their parents will be notified. Source: The Detroit News

Find a list of top private high schools at Boarding Schools Info.

Labels: drug_testing, schools

'Tis the season for prom, graduations, and all the parties that go with them. The Alcohol and Drug Council of North Carolina has released information aimed at helping parents keep their kids safe this prom and graduation season.

"Before the celebrations begin, take a few minutes to talk with your graduate about the dangers of alcohol poisoning. What is it? Alcohol depresses nerves that control involuntary actions such as breathing and the gag reflex, which prevents choking. Someone who drinks a fatal dose of alcohol will eventually stop breathing. Even if someone survives an alcohol overdose, he or she can suffer irreversible brain damage."

The council also reminded parents that hosting a party with alcohol for underage teens is illegal and could result in criminal prosecution. Source: Mountain News

Labels: parental_involvement, parties, schools

Six fraternities at San Diego State University have been suspended as the result of a massive drug investigation which led to the arrests of 75 SDSU students.

"All of the arrested students have been suspended and will be barred from attending classes or taking final exams until their cases are reviewed, San Diego State President Stephen Weber said in a statement. Those who live in university-owned housing were evicted, he added."

One of the fraternities that was suspended, Theta Chi, is being investigated by its national office, which may hand out additional disciplinary measures for the fraternity, including expulsion of individuals or the entire chapter. Source: CBS News.

Labels: drug_busts, schools, suspension

Megan Overstreet is a student at Northridge High School in Salt Lake City, Utah, and she has some (potentially) surprising news for parents; it's often easier for kids to get drugs in school than anywhere else.

"While polling my 11th-grade English class, I found that 52 percent of the students had been offered drugs since starting high school. Yet the most shocking statistic is that 88 percent of the students knew exactly who to talk to if they wanted drugs...'I could text some people and literally have it in my hands by the end of the school day.'"

Overstreet goes on to suggest that parents have far more influence in their teens' decisions than they realize. By taking an active interest in a child's life, asking questions, and knowing who their friends are, parents can help their teenagers avoid substance abuse pitfalls.

Labels: drug_use, influences, schools

The University Interscholastic League recently released a detailed plan for testing Texas high school athletes for steroid use. Legislation passed earlier in the year allotted $3 million for a statewide testing program.

"Student athletes who test positive for steroids or who refuse to take the test will be suspended for 30 days from competition and must pass a test before regaining eligibility. Students who test positive a second time during their high school participation face a one-year suspension from athletic contests."

A student who tests positive a third time will be permanently banned from high school sports.

Labels: athletics, schools, steriods

A residential school for Indian children in Salem, Oregon has seen a dramatic decrease in violence, drug use, and drinking since Marion County Sheriff's deputies started providing security. Since the beginning of 2006, deputies have patrolled the 400-acre Chemawa Indian School - home to 385 students from 62 tribes in 21 states.

"Fights dropped by half during the 2006-07 school year, compared with the year before, and assaults were reduced by 44 percent, according to the school's statistics. Drug and alcohol abuse also continued a years-long decline."

Though the students were initially apprehensive about the presence of the deputies, they've grown accustomed to having them around. Some of the deputies even help with student-related activities like football or wrestling.

Boarding schools for teens with substance abuse offer 12-step programs in addition to accredited academics. Visit BoardingSchoolsInfo to find a private school or residential treatment program today.

Labels: drug_use, schools, violence

Not everyone agrees that random drug testing in schools is a good idea. A recent editorial in the Gloversville, New York Leader-Herald calls for school administrators to find more creative, effective drug prevention solutions.

"Among the opponents of random student drug testing is the American Academy of Pediatrics, which stated it 'believes more research is needed on both the safety and effectiveness before testing programs are implemented. Laboratory testing for drugs is a scientifically complex procedure, which may be prone to both false-positive and false-negative tests...'"

Awareness training for teachers, curriculum that includes drug-prevention and more parental involvement were some of the offered alternatives.

SunHawk Academy is a residential treatment center for teens struggling with drug and alcohol abuse. Visit www.sunhawkacademy.com to learn more.

Labels: drug_testing, prevention, schools

Officials in some areas of New Zealand are finding that kids are being lured into drug experimentation at increasingly younger ages.

"Their observation comes after a shocking incident... in which seven children from Simla Primary School in Shallcross overdosed on Ecstasy. It is believed that one of the seven pupils took the drugs from a home to a school function."

Official say that children as young as 11 and 12 are experimenting with drug and alcohol use, and nearly half of those abuse multiple substances.

The Substance Abuse section of the Teen-Help-Directory offers information for parents about teen drug and alcohol abuse.

Labels: children, experimentation, schools

Luzerne County Community College is hosting the area's first-ever Alcohol and Drug Studies Institute. The Institute courses run for a week and will be attended by over 100 professionals and relatives of substance abusers and addicts.

"[Mike] Donahue said one goal is to develop a curriculum of courses on the subject and to offer college credits that will count toward an associate's degree and that can be transferred to other colleges. Although nothing has been finalized, Donahue hopes the program of study will be available by fall 2008."

Read more at TimesLeader.com.

A report concerning drug use and availability among teens indicates that half of all teenagers during the 2001-02 academic year attended schools at which drugs were present. Read more about how school counselors, teacher training, and treatment for drug-using students can help keep drugs out of schools at www.teen-drug-help.com.

Labels: awareness, education, schools

Maury County, Tennessee is launching two separate anti-drug programs that both have the same focus - replacing negative substance abuse habits with positive behaviors. One of the programs, led by the Tennessee chapter of the Drug Free Clubs of America, will reward middle and high school students for remaining drug free.

"Volunteers in the program agree to take a periodical, random urine drug screening to ensure they live up to their pledge to remain drug-free. 'For volunteering to take these screenings, we give them a photo ID card they can use at all kinds of local and national businesses', said Holly Davis, Tennessee Representative of DFCA."

The other program, Centerstone's Project SELF is a six month program for students with substance abuse disorders. Read more at ColumbiaDailyHerald.com.

Labels: anti-drug_programs, behaviors, schools

Researchers from a London Centre for Research on Drugs and Health Behavior have begun looking for alternative solutions to the problem of risky behavior among teens. Many of them feel that current methods have only had limited success.

"...trials in both Australia and the United States showed that projects which aimed to improve school ethos helped improve the health behaviors of their students... The US study reported a 34% reduction in a combined measure of alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis use among boys, plus significant benefits regarding condom use, frequency of sex, violence and truancy."

More and more school officials are beginning to understand the importance of improving the overall culture in schools, and work to improve things like teacher-student communication. Read more online.

Labels: communication, risky_behaviors, schools

On January 26, psychotherapist Elizabeth Jorgensen was the keynote speaker at Harvard University's Conference on Mental Health in Schools. She presented several ideas that, when used in combination, help create a more positive and a safer environment at school.

"School climate can culture can have a measurable effect in reducing violence and correlates with overall higher student achievement, Jorgensen said."

An atmosphere of trust, individual attention, and boundaries shows students that the teachers and administrators care and take an interest in their success both in and out of school. Read more at NewsTimes.com.

Labels: mental health, research, schools

The Desert Sands Unified School District board, located in the Palm Springs area of Southern California, will soon be voting on whether or not they will allow drug-sniffing dogs in local middle and high schools. Administrators, teachers, and parents are battling a rise of reported incidents of student drug possessions.

Proponents of the idea say using drug-sniffing dogs "gives parents, teachers and law enforcement officers another opportunity to nip drug use in the bud - while kids are still young and somewhat impressionable."

Many schools across the nation already use drug-sniffing dogs with much success. Administrators of districts already using dogs as deterrents agree that their schools face less drug problems. They say that drug-sniffing dogs are one of the most effective ways to keep drugs off school campuses. Read more from the Desert Sun.

Labels: drug-sniffing dogs, schools