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-- Anonymous, October 30, 1998
All throughout the second presentation by Peg Mold on drug and alcohol use by children and adolescents, I couldn't help wonder (as any Consumer Educator would) this "stuff" must be fairly inexpensive for it to be so widely used. One of the teens on the panel eluded to the fact that she stole money from her mom. Is this the most common way kids get their money for drugs or do they steal from other, engage in prostitution, sell their own possessions,etc. Where do they get their money? I am also curious to find the cost of other drugs other marajuana. Does anyone know? Another thought, isn't the best method for dealing with all of this chemical use is to be pro-active? If kids start making decisions about drugs by fourth grade, students need to be educated at least by that time. The education needs to be not just about the "evils" of drugs use, misuse and abuse but also good problem-solving skills, identification of values and goals and ways to have drug-free fun. We need to give kids "tools" to handle tough life situations and not just say "Don't do it. It's not good for you." I believe all three of my children have been chemical-free and I am very thankful for that considering the school environment that most students face today. Kids need to get that constant message at home, in the community in addtition to school that they are a valuable asset to their environment. Chemicals can rob them of this value.Dana
-- Anonymous, October 31, 1998
Part II of the alcohol and drug presentation once again provided some very good information. The information on how marijuana affects the brain was very frightening. The two young women from Miller Dwan were so very young, yet seemed well beyond their years. I remember the counselor from Miller Dwan saying that adolescence have the hardest time of any age group in overcoming an addiction. I don't find that hard to believe at all. I found myself wondering what it must be like for these young women if they want to have a social life at all. Is there anywhere they can go where there is not drugs or alcohol? All of these sessions on the toxic child have been very informative and helpful but I have to say that if I did not believe in a higer power it would be hard to feel hopeful.
-- Anonymous, October 31, 1998
As I listened to Peg Mold and the student speakers Wednesday night, I kept wanting someone to tell me what to do as a classroom teacher to spot students who are using chemicals and what to do to help them. But one of the young women indicated that it's very hard to tell when someone is high, and that teachers shouldn't risk falsely accusing a student. I wonder how many (if any?) of my 85 ninth-graders come into class high. Some years I've been pretty sure that some were, but this year I don't notice any definite signs. Young people can argue all they want that marijuana is a harmless drug, but the students that I know use it regularly end up having all kinds of academic, social, and health problems. I wonder how students are able to hide being high -- and what happened to that very distinctive odor, and the red eyes? Does anyone know about the symptoms or signs of marijuana use?
-- Anonymous, November 01, 1998
Like I said last week, I have talked to many students who say that many of their friends have smoked weed and that it is no big deal. And it isn't the normal "pothead". It is the honor roll students, the athletes and the prom queen. Some students have said 75% of their classmates have tried it. I used to think this was very high, but closer to what I would guess. When I suspect a student is using, I refer them to the Chemical Health Specialist, Joan Sargent. They are better trained to handle what to do next. When I first started teaching, I only thought the "burnouts" smoked weed. When I learned that many of my best students were getting high on a regular basis, it really opened my eyes. Now, I wouldn't be suprised if all my students were smoking weed, even though I know all of them aren't. I think as educators our job is to educate ourselves so that we can educate our students. That is why I find these Toxic Child classes so helpful. The more we become aware of the problems that students have, the better we will be able to deal with them.
-- Anonymous, November 02, 1998
The information presented regarding the use and effect of marijauna was a wake-up call as I didn't realize how frequently it is used by young people and how dangerous it is today. It only reinforces the need for educators to become fully involved in drug education in our schools. We need to inservice our staff and parents as to the use and dangers that exist in the schools. How can they reach out to their children and students if they are not aware of signs of use and abuse?. It is too easy to think it won't happen to my child. It is also key to remember the difference in the pot used today to when parents were teens. Many who used , but no longer do are probably not aware of the difference. It was interesting to see marijuana use by one of the teenagers on Home Improvement tonight as a focus. The parents on the show confronted the son. He responded by calling them hypocrits because they too had used when they were his age. The parents tried to focus on the dangers and their own negative experiences, but nothing was said about how the strength of the drug has changed over the years and how dangerous it can be to our physcial and psychological well being. Television makes some attempts now and then to do their part, but too often glamorize drug use instead of educating us about its destructive effects. I used this time to educate my husband on how pot has changed.
-- Anonymous, November 03, 1998
Ms. Ravenfeather had several insights about family structures. What did her presentation mean for you?
-- Anonymous, November 05, 1998
We agreed to have a threaded discussion about resources for the March 3rd final meeting of the toxic child series. If you have any ideas about people or ways to organize the last meeting, please submit them here and we'll forward them on to Pauline in a couple of weeks.
-- Anonymous, November 05, 1998
Ms. Ravenfeather's information on family systems was very interesting to me. As she was speaking about family roles one particular student kept coming to mind. I am still not real sure how to help beyong what I am doing now. But I certainly have a lot more information to help me be more empathtic. I also was greatful at the end for list of things we can do as educators. That list was a good reminder to me that the things we do are often very simple and just a kind word, or a smile or a safe orderly classroom all can make a BIG difference for a child living in chaos. It was Good Stuff and well worth my time.
-- Anonymous, November 05, 1998
Ms. Ravenfeather's information on family systems was very interesting to me. As she was speaking about family roles one particular student kept coming to mind. I am still not real sure how to help beyond what I am doing now. But I certainly have a lot more information to help me be more empathtic. I also was greatful at the end for list of things we can do as educators. That list was a good reminder to me that the things we do are often very simple and just a kind word, or a smile or a safe orderly classroom all can make a BIG difference for a child living in chaos. It was Good Stuff and well worth my time.
-- Anonymous, November 05, 1998
Ms. Ravenfeather was an interesting, gentle and soft spoken women. Just the sort of person you would love to talk with if you were dealing with a problem. I enjoyed how she valadated all of us as professionals. I also liked the reminder that we as educators do provide children a safe haven, if our classroom is calm and orderly and has routines that we follow. Children that are in chaos need stability somewhere in their life. It is nice to know that we can provide that structure. We as teachers or people that deal with children need to be reminded that children may be acting out for many different reasons. An unmet need in a child will be presented in any number of actions or behaviors. Those unmet needs may be caused by living in an alcholholic home, but they could also be caused by other stressor.
-- Anonymous, November 06, 1998