Heroin, cocaine, marijuana, inhalants; these are just some of the numerous substances teens abuse for various reasons. Whether it’s a coping mechanism, to help themselves fit it, or they like the feeling the substance gives them, many teens will turn to abusing substances. But when substance abuse occurs during school, a whole new problem arises. 

Substance abuse has been an issue that many schools have trouble solving due to the fact that teens abusing substances not only is harmful, but when it occurs in school it has the possibility to affect the other students and staff. Also since these teens are in school, their care and health is now the staff’s responsibility because without good health they can’t learn. The other side of the issue is that since the care and well being of the students is the schools responsibility, punishment for breaking rules is also the schools responsibility.  

“The worst punishment a student can receive is expulsion, and the issue with expulsion is the fact that it will stay on their academic record and colleges will take that into account,” Associate Principal Matthew Warren said.

A student’s future is heavily affected by substance abuse in schools. Not only can drugs affect a students performance and behavior in school, but carrying illegal substances in school is obviously also a violation of school rules and normally leads to expulsion. This shows on the students academic record and colleges will factor this. Another way that carrying substance in school can affect a student’s future is the student dropping out. A student dropping out can permanently affect their future because they will be unable to join a college, trade school, and obtain many jobs without a diploma.

“There are a plethora of reasons why teens abuse drugs; peer pressure, lack of parental guidance, poor mental health etc,” Warren said.

Substance abuse in school is a problem that not only affects the user, but now other students and staff in the school. Substance abuse is an issue that itself alone that many people, especially teens, suffer from but bringing this issue into a school environment not only affects others, but it now puts the user’s academic future at risk.