24/7 Support Line - Call Now
Free Insurance Verification
Verify your treatment coverage

Ways to Prevent Drug Abuse in Schools

Questions are often posed in relation to possible ways to stop drug addiction in adults. It is also worth noting that drug use in school environments is also a huge concern in the United States, and the issue is only growing. Drug use in high school is a particularly worrisome trend that has always been present. Now it seems to be more dangerous and rampant than ever. But why is that? And perhaps more importantly, are there any effective ways to prevent drug abuse in schools that could be implemented to create a safer environment for these children?

7 Minute Read | Published Sep 30 2023 | Updated Feb 23 2024 Expert Verified
Emma Collins
Written by
David Levin
Reviewed by
Emma Collins
Written by
David Levin
Reviewed by

Better Addiction Care, an expert provider of free resources meant to help those in need connect with the right national drug abuse treatment near them, has years of experience in dealing with addiction in adolescents. We investigate these questions below. Our team is dedicated to providing free resources and is happy to share information related to substance abuse whenever we can.

Why Is Drug Use in Schools So Rampant?

Before contemplating the possible ways to prevent drug abuse in schools, it is important to first understand that this issue may be closer to home than many parents or faculty members may realize. Although the presence of drug use in scholastic environments has always been present, particularly when speaking of its rampant and growing use in high school environments, it is more dangerous than ever. This is due to Ketamine and other cutting agents making their way across the country. Despite this, new users continue to flood the markets and fill the classrooms across the nation. Why is that?

High school students are in a very strange position. They are perhaps experiencing their first interactions and tastes of the “adult world.” They are in the process of figuring out what kind of person they are going to be. This is an amazing moment for finding oneself and establishing a personality that will carry into adulthood. It’s also a great time to make friends that can last a lifetime. It is also the prime opportunity for those susceptible to peer pressure and media influence to pick up bad habits. At these ages, teens are sponges for information and habits. They may find themselves indulging in substances that they would not have in any other setting due to the social implications of not partaking that may be present. It may seem like an issue with no ways to fix it, but the solution to drug abuse in schools may not be as difficult to implement as some may believe. 

How to Stop Drug Use in Schools

There has been persistence in adolescents continuing to experiment and eventually recreationally use illicit substances. This has led to people trying new ways to prevent addiction by starting at the root and looking for ways to prevent drug abuse in schools. Many experiments have been conducted and have seen some success. This has been through the use of not only the guidance of faculty but also from the parents of the children who are at risk of addiction.

  • Parents and faculty can have honest conversations with students about their own experiences when they were their age and in school.
  • Schools can arrange for children to sign a pledge and give them rewards for their good behavior.
  • Monitoring bullying and peer pressure occurring in schools can go a long way to ensuring that students do not fall victim to using drugs due to peer pressure.
  • Bring in guest speakers who have experience with alcohol and drug abuse. They will likely have good perspectives, including their negative experiences with drugs. Their stories might help students understand what it was like to be in their shoes.
  • Have police officers, paramedics, or other public servants who deal with substance abuse regularly address the teens. They can show them an unglamorized look at substance abuse.

Each of these ways to prevent drug abuse in schools comes with pros and cons. However, they are all worth implementing as they can each be the method that curbs at least one child from falling victim to substance use and dependence. If you or someone you know has already fallen victim to the trappings of substance abuse, then know that you can always come back from it. Finding the right team for addiction treatment in your area is the first step to reclaiming control of your life and making changes that stick for a lifetime. 

Find Drug Addiction Treatment Anywhere in the Country

If learning how to prevent addiction was not emphasized during your development years, then you may have fallen victim to substance abuse. At this point, you might be looking for solutions to your addiction. That’s where the team at Better Addiction Care comes in to help.

Our team has years of experience in providing people with free online resources, such as our national directory of drug and alcohol abuse treatment facilities, to make seeking treatment easier for all of those who are in need of a helping hand. Call our team today. You will learn more about how our resources can be of help. You can also read some of our other articles on the addiction treatment blog that our team regularly updates.

The path to a better and healthier life is close by. Our team is here to help with the first steps of the journey.

Related Readings

Resources

bullet National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020).
"Preventing Drug Use among Children and Adolescents."
Retrieved on December 16, 2022
bullet Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2019).
"Preventing Substance Abuse Among Youth in Schools and Communities: A Guide for Principals."
Retrieved on December 16, 2022
bullet Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020).
"School-Based Programs to Prevent and Reduce Alcohol Use: Evidence-Based Practices."
Retrieved on December 16, 2022
bullet Drug Enforcement Administration. (n.d.).
"DEA Youth Prevention Programs."
Retrieved on December 16, 2022
bullet National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020).
"Principles of Substance Abuse Prevention for Early Childhood: A Research-Based Guide."
Retrieved on December 16, 2022
bullet Drug Free World. (n.d.).
"The Truth About Drugs Education Package."
Retrieved on December 16, 2022
bullet Partnership to End Addiction. (n.d.).
"Preventing Teen Substance Use."
Retrieved on December 16, 2022
bullet American Academy of Pediatrics. (2019).
"Substance Use Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment for Pediatricians."
Retrieved on December 16, 2022
UP NEXT

Related Articles

3 Differences Between Binging and Habitual Drug Abuse Updated: Jan 10 2024 When it comes to drug and alcohol abuse and addiction, many people have misunderstandings that can derail their ability to see drug abuse and...
The Different Types of Drugs People Get Addicted To Updated: Feb 23 2024 Are you looking to kick an addiction for good and set your life back onto a path of health, happiness, and sobriety rather...
Drug Abuse Among Healthcare Professionals an Increasing Concern Updated: Feb 23 2024 Stress–chronic stress in particular–is a major factor for substance abuse, and there’s no doubt that a career in medicine can put individuals under...

Free Insurance Verification

Our team is available to guide you through the steps of assessing your insurance coverage for addiction treatment.