DRUGS IN SCHOOLS

It is commonly thought that the major drug problems in some schools are related to substances such as "ice", cocaine, marijuana, etc or alcohol.

This is far from the truth. The biggest single drug problem in virtually all primary and secondary schools is smoking.

There are numerous reasons as to why students start smoking. It is my experience that the majority of students over 15 years of age want to give up their addiction.

In the past I have, "unofficially", helped students to give up their addictive habit. I point out to them that as I see it there are only three reasons why they continue to smoke. One they are stupid, or two the are addicted, or three they are both stupid and addicted. None of the students which I have helped to quit were stupid.

I would suggest that most schools do not want to admit that they have a smoking problem. It's an "image of the school" thing. I would also suggest that the so called educational programs related to smoking which are implemented in schools are generally a waste of time and money. They almost certainly do nothing for the many students who are addicted. It is completely understandable that the vast majority of addicted students cannot get through a school day without having a puff or two.

Many of the punishments which teachers dish out to students who are caught smoking are quite pathetic and do nothing to alter the students addiction.

If we want a society where a lot less people smoke then we need to properly address the problem of smoking in our schools.