Narconon Drug-Free Lives

Studies reviewed by Narconon International show that drug abuse drops when family gets involved on the subject.

It’s the law that children must be enrolled in school until they turn sixteen years of age. And so millions of parents see their children off to school every morning, trusting that their children will at least get a basic education as a result of spending the day in school.

But when those school doors close behind each child as he or she enters for the day, what each child faces is all too often drastically different from the parents’ hopes.

For between eleven and twelve million middle and high school students, seeing drugs or alcohol used, stored or sold at their public school is a common occurrence. And for middle school students, the numbers are rising rapidly.

"If parents think that they are done with their job when they drop their kids off at school, they need to take a hard look at current surveys of middle and high school students," advised Bobby Wiggins, Drug Prevention Specialist. Narconon International is an organization that is dedicated to preventing drugs abuse and addiction and rehabilitation those who have become addicted. "Surveys by the National Center on Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA) show that one in three of our schoolchildren are either using storing or drugs or alcohol at school or see other kids doing so. This was never what we wanted for our children."

And the fact that so many young people spend their days in an environment infested with drugs has taken its toll. Students in a school that was reported to be infested with drugs are:
* Five times as likely to smoke marijuana and three times as likely to abuse alcohol
* Seven times more likely to have a friend or classmate who abuses illegal drugs like cocaine, heroin or methamphetamine
* Five times more likely to know someone who is abusing a prescription drug

Mr. Wiggins, of Narconon, recommended that parents take a very active role in the education of their children, whether that child is in public or private school. "There are many opportunities for parents to get involved with their children’s schools, from tutoring to volunteering for field trips, in classrooms or the office. They can also work with the PTA. The more involved you are, the more aware you will be of the issues going on at the school."

Statistically, CASA studies have also found that when a family gathers at home for dinner one or more nights a week, the incidence of drug and alcohol abuse tends to drop.

"Teenaged years are difficult for both parents and children," added Wiggins. "Our kids deserve schools free from substance abuse so they can focus on their studies and their futures. Close involvement by interested parents can play an important role in forcing schools to drive out the drugs and alcohol."

For more information on the Narconon drug education curriculum or their drug and alcohol rehabilitation program, visit www.stopaddiction.com.