½ûÂþÌìÌÃ

It is not uncommon for adolescents to experiment with alcohol, marijuana, tobacco products (such as vaping and e-cigarettes) and other substances. However, that does not mean that substance use is safe for teens. Adolescents are more likely to over use, make unsafe choices related to using and develop addictions, especially the earlier they start using.

Becoming addicted depends on lots of factors including genetics and family history, accessibility of substances in the home, peer pressure and connections to positive caring adults.

Substance use and addiction are confusing and difficult issues for the person experiencing it and for those who love and care about the person who is impacted by addiction. Addiction disrupts lives, families, young people’s educational experience and communities.

NIDA, the National Institute of Drug Abuse, defines addiction as a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by repeated use despite harmful consequences. Addiction is a lot like other diseases, such as heart disease. Both can disrupt daily living, but both are treatable and preventable. There are also many ways to get information, help and support when you need it.

½ûÂþÌìÌà does not endorse any specific treatment programs or interventions. Instead, our goal is to share what accredited resources are available in our community and on-line, so that staff, students and families have access to current information.

• There are counselors, social workers and other support staff in high schools. While counselors and social workers are not able to provide substance abuse counseling, they can be a great place to start in terms of identifying resources and getting ideas about the appropriate level of support for your child. Please call the main office of your school to find out the name of your child’s counselor or to find out if your school has a school social worker.
• Through partnerships with adolescent treatment programs, some high schools have licensed substance use counselors on campus, usually 1-2 days a week. To find out more about accessing this resource and if there are insurance restrictions, please contact your student’s counselor or the school social worker.
• Insight Classes - Insight class is an educational program designed for students in grades 6-12 and their families who are seeking information about the impact of alcohol and other drugs on youth. This includes students who have violated ½ûÂþÌìÌà substance use policy. Please see our current school year calendar.

Through a generous grant from Regence, ½ûÂþÌìÌà is able to offer a variety of substance use prevention activities in the 2019-2020 school year. Activities include:

• Family Information Nights: ½ûÂþÌìÌà is hosting a series of informational nights during the 2019-2020 school year. All events are open to every student and their family in the district regardless of where you attend school. Please for information about dates, times and locations.
• Student groups in some schools. In addition to the Family Information Nights, the grant through Regence has allowed us to offer groups for students at some high schools. Please check with your student’s counselor or school social worker to see if one of those groups is available at your high school.
• ½ûÂþÌìÌà will be partnering with Regence to offer a district-wide informational night. This event will be aimed at middle school students and their families, though all students and their families will be welcomed. The event will include a meal, a keynote address and break-out sessions specifically targeted to families and students.