Substance Abuse In Students II

RESPONSIBILITY RESTS ON MANY DOORSTEPS

Parent's substance Use Handicaps Children

Prenatal exposure to tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs can produce changes in the brain of the developing fetus leaving the child with mild to severe cognitive deficits, and increasing the risks of behavioral and conduct disorders such as impulsive behavior and ADHD. Prenatal exposure to these substances has been linked to lower IQ, impaired verbal and math skills and problems with attention and learning.

Children who grow up in a home where parents abuse substances also are at risk for poor academic outcomes. Children exposed to the chaotic, stressful homes of substance abusers are likelier to have lower grades or more suspensions, disciplinary referrals and grade repetitions than other children. Children of alcoholics are at higher risk of alcohol abuse and addiction.

Many Administrators and Teachers Do Not
Recognize The Magnitude Of The Problem
Or Risk Of drug Use.

Remarkable differences exist between students' and school personnel's perception of drug use. When asked if their school grounds were drug free, 11 percent of principals and 35 percent of teachers said they were not., compared to 66 pecent of students. While only five percent of principals report that students drink on school grounds, 33 percent of students say that drinking occurs at school. Remarkably, half of all high school teachers believe that student who uses marijuana every weekend can still do well in school compared with 48 percent of principals and 23 percent of students.

Substance abuse by school staff compromises students' education and contributes to the unhealthy messages conveyed to students about substance abuse. Substance abusing employees use three times as many sick days as non-users. Users are absent from work three weeks more per year than non-substance abusing workers, and are fired from their jobs about 50 percent more often than other workers. Absences and turnover of school staff take their toll on student learning