A panel of law enforcement, counselors, and school officials addressed alcohol and drug abuse in the Northland Pines schools Monday night and its growing but cooperation, coordination, and education can provide positive alternatives for kids facing questions and pressures.
Northland Pines is discussing a policy of random drug testing of students involved in organized activities and those who drive to school.
“It's going on in our schools and it's going on in our communities and we're trying how to best help out our kids,” district administrator Mike Richie said.
Koinonia counselor Kari Decorah described warning signs parents may look for that could indicate kids were using; loosing interest in what they were doing with sports involvement going first along with a change in appearance, a change of friends, and a change in grooming.
“And if you see them with Visine eye drops be suspicious,” she said. “it's used to hide the red glassy eyes common with marijuana use.”
Menomonie elementary principal Lori Smith, whose district does not drug test, said they spend their dollars on promotion, mental health, and good counseling, with support systems to reach students along with swift consequences for using. The consensus was to acknowledge it's here and develop a formal health curriculum on the affects of alcohol and drug abuse on the body starting early so kids know where they can come for help.
A parent network group will meet quarterly to continue discussions.
