Originally posted on https://exed.canvas.harvard.edu/eportfolios/1134/Home/The_Role_of_Schools_in_Drug_Abuse_Prevention

Drug addiction among teens has become a common phenomenon because this is the age when teens have a sweet tooth and can easily be trapped in such destructive obsessions. Teen drugs can have a life-threatening impact on the life of a child. Most of these obsessions initiate from the school-age when they start having the outer world access.

Though, for the students, school is a home away from home. And most of the renowned schools are better able to provide students with the close monitoring of schools activities and have the teachers and executives, who keep them in full control.

Still,  there are possibilities that they get to meet with mates who are drug-addicted and get indulge in the addiction with them. If this is not addressed on time it may lead to depression, anxiety, hopelessness and even suicidal thoughts. Therefore. this is where schools have to play a vital role in drug abuse prevention.

The role of schools in drug abuse prevention and intervention:

Determining the addiction

However, the education authorities should not accept sole obligation for changing student health behaviours including reducing drug use. With that context, schools might be able to determine drug use behaviour and it is hoped that they will do it so. The primary role of the schools to teach students the skills and bestow the noesis and to constitute a sound values base in abstraction to the health and drug, despite changing the behaviours that may be ascertained by factors beyond the power of the school.

Holistic Rehab Centers For Schools

Holistic rehab centresLinks to an external site. have a primary role in substance abuse education, early identification of drug abuse and its prevention. The implementation of random drug testing on students as a component of drug prevention programs require more stringent and additional scientific assessment.

Schools can surely influence such behaviour. This could be done through the development of skills, knowledge and cultivation of the values in their students. Another side of this coin is that schools don’t have enough power to stop drinking, smoking or drug intake, however, they have the power to improve the knowledge and skills to encourage the development of defensible values.

Equally, when the students are found guilty for such drug addiction, teachers should not be fully blamed or held accountable. It is both enviable and possible for the schools to be concerned with the demand reduction of the drug, drug supply reduction and, rationalizing the health and social phenomenon of drug, with the main focus on demand diminution.

Drug Prevention Programs by Schools

For the reason, schools should not make a change in students’ health behaviour, particularly in drug use behaviours, which is, of course, the only measure of the success or potency of the drug prevention programme. Schools should report to the assemblage on the accomplishment of educational outcomes that have been known as contributing to the achievement of the panoramic health goals of preventing drug use and reducing harmful consequences on the society and individuals.

The education of drug prevention in schools should be monitored to include both the informal and formal health curricula, with the creation of a safe and healthy school environment