Jenks Public Schools Drug, Alcohol, and Tobacco Free

Many kids believe that when it comes to drugs and alcohol… Everybody does it…

Although we do have Jenks students who are using drugs and alcohol regularly, the truth is a little more complicated.

A random sampling of Jenks students participate in a bi- yearly survey called the Youth Risk Behavior Survey. The information you will see on these slides is taken directly from that survey and are representative of public high school students statewide. It is important to note that every school district is different. Some of the behaviors surveyed may be more or less prevalent in our school district. For a complete look at the 2011 survey you can go to this link:

Based on findings by the Youth Risk Behavior Survey the truth is more like this…

We know that out of every 100 students approximately 38 students had one drink of alcohol on one or more of the past 30 days. According to the Survey…

We know that out of every 100 students approximately 22 students engaged in binge drinking on one or more of the past 30 days. -- That’s 5 or more drinks of alcohol in a row within a couple of hours time According to the Survey…

We also know that approximately 23 students out of every 100 are using Marijuana on a regular basis or have smoked within the past 30 days. Kids are getting very mixed messages about marijuana from the media and even our legal system. Many are influenced to use by peers who don’t have all the information concerning marijuana’s affects. According to the Survey…

Usage of illegal drugs such as cocaine, heroin, inhalants, methamphetamine does occur, but generally less than 15% of students have any kind of exposure to these types of drugs

One of the rising threats to all students is the abuse of prescription drugs. Kids are giving each other their own ADD or ADHD medications. They are selling narcotics/pain killers they obtain from their home medicine cabinets. Also, students are taking benzodiazepines such as Xanax and Valium in alarming numbers to reduce test anxiety and other teenage stressors.

25% of students were offered, sold, or given an illegal drug by someone on school property during the 12 months before the survey. According to the Survey…

Research shows that most parents believe that kids do use alcohol and /or drugs. They just don’t believe…

…that their child would ever be involved with alcohol or drugs.

Let’s Talk about the Teenage Brain… Compelling research over the past few years points to the fact that the Teenage Brain is still in the development stage during the adolescent years. Critical thinking and important developmental milestones are being established through these years. In fact, we now know in order to support this process— teenagers need the same kinds of good nutritional habits and sleep they did as much younger children.

Most people don’t recognize that once foreign chemicals such as alcohol or drugs are introduced, basic brain function is disturbed. Over time brain function can be permanently changed and unable to return to its normal processes.

On Thursday, June 30, 2011, Tulsa World ran a front page article entitled “Addiction often starts in teens.” It begins, “Nine out of 10 addicts had their first cigarette, drink or other drug before their 18 th birthday…And nearly half of all high school students use those substances, says the study by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University.”

What can substance abuse do in the short term to your teen? If your child is using alcohol or drugs, their physical health is being compromised as well as their ability to concentrate, memorize and deal with the complex problems they are often presented with in their school work.

Continued substance abuse can lead to a whole host of problems: Legal Problems: Including incarceration, fines, crime and a long term record. Failure to complete Education: Including suspensions, drop outs, and failed ambitions. Physical Problems: Including weight loss or gain, STD’s, unintended pregnancies, even the onset of mental illness.

Warning Signs of Substance Abuse: Sometimes its tough to tell. Most kids won’t walk up to someone they’re close to and ask for help. In fact, most of the time kids will deny and hide their problems especially when it has to do with substance abuse. But there are signs that someone is using alcohol and/or drugs:  Your child begins lying about things, like where they were and who they were with.  Your child may begin avoiding you and refuse to talk about their lives in any manner.  Your child becomes very moody or irritable.  Your child no longer has an interest in things that they previously enjoyed.  A previously happy child becomes depressed and angry.

More Warning Signs of Substance Abuse: Money or other valuables comes up missing with no explanation where it has gone.  Your child begins hanging out with new friends that they don’t bring around or they don’t want to introduce to you.  Your child develops an attitude and refuses to listen to any kind of advice or direction.  Your child takes an inordinate interest in TV shows, movies or other forms of media where drug and alcohol abuse is glorified.  You find drug paraphernalia such as pipes, rolling papers, baggies or needles in their room.  Your child is overly protective of their bedroom and do not want you in it under any circumstances.  Your child gets extremely lazy and begins staying up really late and sleeping in and/or refusing to go to school.

If you do have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the Student Assistance Program. If we don’t know the answer, we will direct you to someone who does. Paula M. Lau, LPC, LADC Student Assistance Program Coordinator extension 2340