Making the right decision on drug use

Some of us shudder at the word drugs, while others have unpleasant memories. Some of us just don't know what to think.

The truth is, it's reality, and in high school illegal drugs are everywhere. The biggest problem for students is making the right decision. Being new to high school, I was one of those who didn't know what to think. But I knew what I was seeing; my friends from elementary school experimenting with substances previously unknown to them. I saw kids who I'd always considered to have good futures, putting that at risk with each substance tried. And I saw kids with problems they couldn't see a solution for. I saw it all; they had reasons, but nothing seemed to be right.

Local schools and boards are seeing the same thing, and they aren't letting it go unnoticed. The Simcoe County District School Board is doing the best it can to educate and prevent the abuse of drugs, by providing workshops and valuable information to teachers and interested residents.

According to Debbra Smith, vice-principal of Innisdale Secondary School, when it comes to drugs, discipline is always enforced. She doesn't consider it punishment, and prefers to think of it as a way to help students realize they're making the wrong decision. Hopefully, it helps influence them into make the right choice in the future.

"[They need to take] a good, close look at themselves," said Smith recently.

The type of discipline for students caught abusing or dealing drugs depends on the severity of the substance. Schools are sometimes forced to contact the police, to further deal with the issue.

Parents are equally responsible when it comes to helping their teens stay clear of drugs. Parents need to be educated and know what their child could be exposed to, however they should avoid seeming too overprotective. If they suspect their teen is abusing drugs, some signs to look for include redness around eyes, new friends, failure to keep up with homework, becoming secretive, and mood change. However, parents need to avoid making wrong assumptions; just because a child was able to make the right decision doesn't mean the next one will. For parents who have determined their teens are doing drugs, they need to be open with them and make them feel comfortable talking about the situation. However, it's best to understand that they can't help their teen alone, and professional assistance may be more successful.

Finally, it's up to us — the students — to make the right decision by not abusing drugs. We need to look past our problems, and other reasons we're considering using drugs, and know our achievements can be reached in other ways. We need to think of the future, knowing that our decisions will impact how successful we may be.

Is doing drugs so great there isn't another alternative? Is the reason worth risking the future? Is the reason right? In most cases, the reason is not right, and there are other options. It takes strength to say 'no' and do the right thing, but we all have that ability; all we have to do is find it.