August 26, 2014 at 5:27 p.m.
Our students must know we care
Letters to the Editor
To the editor:
School has already been in session a few weeks, which means that students have increased daily contact with one another compared to the summer months.
With the increased contact comes the potential for increased high-risk alcohol and drug situations. There is also increased potential for contact with adults in the lives of students (i.e. friends’ parents, teachers, coaches, activity leaders/volunteers). With this in mind, we as adults have the opportunity to be helpful influences in the lives of the students with whom we come in contact.
We have more influence on the students than we realize even if it does not seem like they are listening or paying attention.
We need to let them know that we care about them and that we also care about the choices that they make. They may not respond the way we hope or expect, but the fact that we make the effort sends a message that we care. It’s important for anyone of us that we feel that our existence is recognized and acknowledged.
Unfortunately, our students receive many messages (externally and internally) that they do not matter. There is a saying that, “Perception is reality.” Try to understand what a student perceives about themselves and about the world around them; including alcohol and drugs.
If they think that you approve (or even that you don’t disapprove) of them using drugs and/or alcohol, they are more likely to try them and to use them. This is especially true if the student’s perception of the chemical is that there is little risk to using the chemical.
Keep in mind that a legal chemical (i.e. cigarettes, alcohol prescription medications) does not automatically make it safe whether a person is a minor or an adult. Too often alcohol/drug is not addressed by adults in a student’s life, so the student assumes that it is “not a big deal” to the adults around her or him.
The younger someone starts using chemicals and the more often they use them is a strong predictor of developing alcohol and/or drug related problems.
Our best intervention is to model the behavior that we expect from students and develop strong relationships throughout their lives so they know that we care and so they know how much we care.
Nat Bryan
Jay County Drug Prevention Coalition
School has already been in session a few weeks, which means that students have increased daily contact with one another compared to the summer months.
With the increased contact comes the potential for increased high-risk alcohol and drug situations. There is also increased potential for contact with adults in the lives of students (i.e. friends’ parents, teachers, coaches, activity leaders/volunteers). With this in mind, we as adults have the opportunity to be helpful influences in the lives of the students with whom we come in contact.
We have more influence on the students than we realize even if it does not seem like they are listening or paying attention.
We need to let them know that we care about them and that we also care about the choices that they make. They may not respond the way we hope or expect, but the fact that we make the effort sends a message that we care. It’s important for anyone of us that we feel that our existence is recognized and acknowledged.
Unfortunately, our students receive many messages (externally and internally) that they do not matter. There is a saying that, “Perception is reality.” Try to understand what a student perceives about themselves and about the world around them; including alcohol and drugs.
If they think that you approve (or even that you don’t disapprove) of them using drugs and/or alcohol, they are more likely to try them and to use them. This is especially true if the student’s perception of the chemical is that there is little risk to using the chemical.
Keep in mind that a legal chemical (i.e. cigarettes, alcohol prescription medications) does not automatically make it safe whether a person is a minor or an adult. Too often alcohol/drug is not addressed by adults in a student’s life, so the student assumes that it is “not a big deal” to the adults around her or him.
The younger someone starts using chemicals and the more often they use them is a strong predictor of developing alcohol and/or drug related problems.
Our best intervention is to model the behavior that we expect from students and develop strong relationships throughout their lives so they know that we care and so they know how much we care.
Nat Bryan
Jay County Drug Prevention Coalition
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