Schools drug, alcohol and inhalant use among teens in Northern Virginia Schools

In light of the last two posts on “Robotripping,” and abuse of over the counter (“OTC”), prescription and illegal drugs, the Fairfax County Times coverage as to alcohol, tobacco and illegal drug offenses in area high schools show that “traditional” avenues are still very much in use, and that parents must be vigilant and proactive.

Virginia Department of Education’s “Safe Schools Information Resource” is an online database.  To see the statistics for each school, for the 2009-2010 school year, click here.  On-campus drug use and drug use at school sporting events have always been a concern for area principles, administrators, coaches and teachers.  Below this troubling article was one titled, “Survey suggests more youths are using inhalants.

Although the number remains small, there was a slight increase in the number of Fairfax County students who said they used inhalants between 2008 and 2009.  Inhalant use is most common among middle schoolers; about 5 percent of eighth-graders surveyed reported using inhalants to get high within the past 30 days, indicating they are regular users. The national average is 4 percent.  At the Landau Law Shop, we believe that education as to the harmful long term and short term effects of such abuses, as well as balanced enforcement, can help to reduce the incidents of harm, hospitalization and even death.

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