Re: 7th-grade Potheads
Education reporter Curtis Ippolito has a story in this Friday’s paper (already appearing on some doorsteps) about what happened. What I find most interesting are UP Police Chief Gary Adams’ comments:
“This is a slap in the face of our D.A.R.E. program. We’re spending thousands of dollars trying to teach kids to not do things like this, and then it happens in the middle school where we teach it.”
Not to discount at all what the police are doing, and I went to a school without a D.A.R.E program, but I don’t see how having kids write essays and design posters is putting even a dent in the drug problem. It seems to me we need more in-your-face methods.
I worked in an after-school program at a middle school while in college and those kids were performing sexual acts and doing drugs that I had never even heard about when I was their age. PC is not immune to these problems, in fact, the kids are probably better at it because they are smarter, know how to hide it, and many have the financial means to buy whatever they want.
So what’s the alternative? Tell us MIS and HPMS kids … do you take D.A.R.E. seriously, or is it a joke?
Other, more serious intervention methods would indicate that there is a problem. Then we wouldn’t be preventing, we’d be solving an existing issue that might make us look normal, like other districts.
I say we get staff, adults of some kind and position them in bathrooms and other areas that this kind of activity tends to happen. HPISD needs to take the information they’re getting and be agressive.
Well, the PC kids may have the means, but I think they’re demonstrating pretty well that they’re not smarter than any other kids.
I regret Chief Adam’s comments regarding DARE. I have a 6th grade son who loves DARE and is always “teaching” me what he has learned. I guarantee that it has and will affect the choices he makes regarding drugs and alcohol. I think it is premature to jump to the conclusion that the program doesn’t work because of the poor choice by 2 students. There is no way to quantify the good choices that are made as a result of DARE education. Even if it keeps a handful of kids off drugs that might otherwise use drugs, I think it is worth the investment. Chief Adams should certainly know that some people, regardless of how well informed they are, are going to make bad choices. That doesn’t mean we stop trying to teach what’s right.
As a side note: Thanks Merritt for raising the awareness of this issue via the blog. I was totally unaware that it happened since there is no communitation from the school. In fact, I was with a few 7th grade parents today and they were still unaware of the situation. It seems that the school is once again in “turtle mode”, hiding in its shell until the storm passes. HP Admin, it’s time to get a backbone and start partnering with parents in doing what’s best for our kids. We are in this fight together.
It is interesting what people think they read in the paper. Where does the newspaper article even hint that I am considering pulling the DARE program out of the Middle School? You won’t find it because I didn’t say it. What I said was that I am truely disappointed that this event occurred in the very school where we teach our kids about the dangers of drugs and how to say no to them. For this to happen in any of our schools is bad, but for it to occur in the one school that we really work hard to teach kids not to “make bad decisions” like this, it was indeed a slap in the face of everyone, the police department, the school, the city and town, and the parents who want better.
After 33 years in the law enforcement profession I was not surprised, but I was very disappointed in the students who were involved in this, and as a person very close to this program, I certainly feel entitled to express my disappointment. Of course I know peope make wrong decisions, we all do or have. Speaking from experience in making bad decisons myself, it was when I knew that I had disappointed those who cared about me most that I was truly sorry for my actions and learned from the experience.
I am very proud of the majoriety of students who don’t make these types of decisons at such an early age. I am proud of all the students who enjoy, love and learn from the DARE program. It is good to know and see firsthand that the program is so meaningful to so many.
As the father of five grown children, all who went through DARE, I know the program is not going to be 100% successful. My heart was crused when I discovered one of my own was using illegal drugs, and that was a real slap in the face. Now my wife and I have eleven grandchild, two who live with us in our home in Univesity Park and attend Bradfield School. I can say that I have as much concern as all other parents and grandparents about the safety and wellbeing of our kids in our schools. So what you really read in the paper was that Chief Adams is concerned and will continue to work to try to keep this from becoming a bigger problem than what it may be and that Chief Adams will let kids know when they make the wrong decision and bring and use drugs in any of our schools there were be disappointment on the part of all who are trying to protect them and teach them how to make the right decisions in life.
Thanks, Chief Adams, for your comment. I think everyone appreciates what law enforcement does for our community (except the time I got a ticket for my expired registration sticker) and my child’s experience with DARE was great. This incident has been a great conversation starter for all of us. We need all of the resources we can get to raise our children to become good parents of their own. DARE is a good, as is church, scouts, sports, creative outlets such as orchestra, band, etc. but it all comes down to parenting. And we need all the help we can get.
Chief Adams, We love you!
Chief Adams - I too appreciate your comments and clarification of your position regarding DARE. With HP recently questioning their support of this program, I was hoping that this current situation would not bring about the end of DARE. I truly believe it does a lot of good. If anything, this has been a wake up call that we all need to be doing more, not less.
I did have one question that someone might help me answer. Why does UP fund 75% of DARE and HP only fund 25%? Is it based on % of students from each area or something rational like that? Is it a random split? Probably not since nothing is random when it comes to money. I’d be interested to know the reasons/history behind the division.
http://frontburner.dmagazine.c.....o-and-dare
Discuss
I am the DARE Officer and the SRO (School Resource Officer) at the middle school. This isolated incident at our middle school did not embarrass me, but it does sadden me. It further ignites my passion to reach our kids and make sure the other 98% do not make the same choices. This is my first year at the middle school. My curriculum with the 6th graders goes well beyond the DARE program. The DARE students not only learn about the health effects of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco, but they can tell you the immediate and long term consequences for making such choices. They know all the consequences from school, home, law, and beyond. Ask them what an MIP or MIC is, what will happen with the UP and HP judges, what will happen at home with their parents. They will tell you about things you may not realize yourselves as adults. Ask them what Cheese Heroin is!DARE essays or posters reinforce what they learned in DARE. The idea is that it will stick with them and be tools that they can use in the future when they are confronted with alcohol, drugs, or tobacco. We must educate them and give them tools that they can use. I invite everyone to come and sit in on a DARE class and see exactly what these kids are learning and how they are responding. Come to DARE graduation May 9th and see the impact this program has on them. Not just this program, but my influence on these kids. When I speak to PTA groups I always remind everyone that we are all in this together. Officers, the school, and the parents. We have to unite in all three areas to make an impact and send a message to the kids. The police department is doing it’s part and the school district is going it’s part. The other 98% of the students at this school are doing their part! If you find a program that has a 100% success rate for keeping kids off drugs and alcohol I want in on that program. I would like to educate and save as many kids as possible. If we don’t stand together and teach these kids the drug dealers are going to reach these kids! I am proud of the students at this middle school, especially, the 6th grade DARE students this year. It hurts me to know that as much love and information I give these kids that a few may make a bad choice from time to time. It empowers me to know that the other 99% will be armed with as much information as they can do make the right choices. We dont give up because of a few - we fight for the majority!
“If you find a program that has a 100% success rate for keeping kids off drugs and alcohol I want in on that program”
Studies show the DARE program is zero percent successful; US GAO studies prove there’s no difference between drug use among students who get indoctrinated in DARE and those who don’t.
But don’t take my word for it.
http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d03172r.pdf
http://www.sayno.com/effectiv.html
Trey,
You seem to be very good at pointing out the problem and digging up articles against the DARE program. Why don’t you use that energy to find a program that will do what you feel the DARE program doesn’t. Nothing is 100 percent full-proof. We all live in a world of choices. If you’re a parent you know that we try to teach our kids right and wrong. If your kid makes a bad choice, you’re a bad parent? DARE doesn’t claim that every kid through the program won’t use drugs. Even if it stops 30% isn’t that worth the price of the program?
You can find fault with anything you choose.
GIVE ME SOLUTIONS INSTEAD!!
GALLUP SURVEY
REVEALED THAT STUDENTS BELIEVE DRUG ABUSE RESISTANCE EDUCATION (D.A.R.E.)
HELPS THEM AVOID PROBLEMS
The Majority of Students Surveyed Say D.A.R.E. Helps Them Stay Away
From Drugs and Alcohol, Deal With Peer Pressure and Build Self-Confidence
According to the findings of a recent national Gallup survey of students who have completed the D.A.R.E. Program, more than 90 percent of those polled believe that the D.A.R.E. Program provided them with the skills to avoid drugs and alcohol, and increase their self-confidence in dealing effectively with negative peer pressure.
Approximately 94 percent of those students surveyed indicated that they now know how to respond when a friend(s) asks them to do something they don’t want to do. These students indicated that they used one of two avoidance techniques taught in the D.A.R.E. classroom -either saying “no” or suggesting another activity when friends try to pressure them into doing something they don’t want to do.
In terms of personal behavior and attitude toward drugs and alcohol, 93 percent of students surveyed reported they have never tried marijuana, cocaine, heroin, crack or inhalants, 75 percent stated they have never tried a cigarette, and 70 percent stated they have never tried alcohol. Perhaps most importantly, seven of ten students stated that alcohol use is very dangerous and more than nine of ten students believe drug use is very dangerous to their health and well-being.
http://www.csun.edu/Communicat......dare.html
On the bright side of this whole ado about nothing, it’s very likely these two students will end up doing much better than their peers in grades, social networking and their careers.
A new peer-reviewed study from Switzerland that shows teens who experiment with marijuana but don’t smoke cigarettes are more likely to have good grades and to play sports, and they are less likely to get drunk, smoke pot heavily, or start smoking pot before age 15.
http://www.reason.com/blog/show/123354.html
I’m sure such a study would make it into the DARE curriculum. It’s all about honesty and science, not drug war propaganda, right?
This banter reminds me of Legacy Hillcrest vs. the neighborhood. We are not building a Wal-Mart here either.
Teaching life skills and good behavior begins at home. No school program has ever been designed to replace that, just reinforce it.
Can we move on?
I think DARE totally helped me. I never was thinking about drugs in the first place, but now the thought disgusts me. Plus, in health class we are learning about tobacco, and its just nasty what it can do to you. And no offense Ms. Elwonger, but Officer Hardin was amazing!
Trey - you’ve posted the same link 3 times. Do you think that makes it more credible, believable or relevant to our discussion? It’s not. Please return to Frontburner and stay there. There is a reason we are reading this blog and not that one. If we wanted your insight we’d read it there. Thanks.
I rather think the universe of that which is believable is a little kilter for those who hold to dogma rather than peer-reviewed, scientific studies that contradict the prevailing Drug War misinformation.
I am a DARE student at M.I.S.. DARE really does change your life. You learn tons from officer Elwonger, our DARE officer. She tells us the effects of drugs and what will happen to you if you do drugs. DARE is an amazing progam that everyone needs to expierience.
Those girls are very stupid to be doing pot. They had been throug DARE but they did not care. 99.9% of the kids that go through DARE will never even think about doing drugs. 10 out of 100 8th graders have tried ciggarets. DARE is amazing those stupid girls just didn’t care unlike all the other devoted students.
I think that this is unfair to the families of these children. This is no ones business except those families. The children in this mess are not yours to judge, I know for a fact everyone who has written on this page (including me) has made critical errors in life. The people who write judgmental things in this blog are just contributing to a world of hate. I personally know every one in one of these girls families. They are not bad people and the parents are very loving and seek safety for their daughter. Please be aware of what you are doing to this family, they haven’t done anything wrong. You are the ones contributing to the problem, not helping.
before “helping” please look what your saying :
“It is tragic and this girl doesn’t stand a chance of living down her bad reputation in this community. Poor thing. Mom, Dad, get this girl some help.”
- Do you really think this is helping her reputation? If you “care about this [poor thing]” then dont contribute to what you’re talking about preventing.
“I’m pretty shocked that 7th graders living in the Bubble would be able to obtain pot, other than from an older sibling, perhaps.”
- first of all the “Bubble is a stereotypical word”,
Second of all, DO YOU KNOW HER SIBLINGS ?
If so, you would well know that her siblings have nothing to do with this incident.
“My daughter will not turn 13 until the end of her 7th-grade schoolyear; I can’t even imagine a 12-year old being able to obtain drugs in HPISD. Now I have yet another middle-school anxiety to obsess over, LOL!”
- As children grow up, they will start to learn the realities of life, wait. You’ll see, no one is perfect.
- “LOL!” do you think this is funny… ?
” I also want my kids to know that they can’t get away with anything in this community without me finding out about it.”
- It is a fact of life, as much as we want to deny it. You will never know exactly what type of trouble your child is in. its impossible.
“I never did like those two.”
- Sorry, but no one can like everyone. So all you are trying to do is trash them on the internet…?
“If someone is actually selling to middle school students, they need to be arrested…pronto. If the pot belonged to the parents, then they should suffer the same consequences as any other person guilty of possession. I totally agree that we as parents need to be aware of who our kids hang out with and speak frankly with them about their peers who are making bad choices”
“The girls probably got the pot from someone’s parents stash, maybe their own parents. I am told by kids that is where drugs come from.”
- OH MY GOD you have to be kidding me! The parents ?!?!?!?!? you have no idea what you’re talking about. Please go and find out the facts before making assumptions.
Thanks..
Needed Information or Gossip?
Unfair — well said.
Unfair; I will repeat what I said with added emphasis. “I also want my kids to know that they can’t get away with anything in this community without me finding out about it.”!!!! An informed parent is an involved parent. Without this blog I would not have known about this incident. This incident was an opportunity for me to reinforce in my kids the fact that there are consequences for your actions, and doing drugs has many consequences. Without this blog I wouldn’t have even known there was a problem since MIS doesn’t make it a habit to inform parents of these kind of incidents. Viva the information age!
In cased you missed this post Trey:
http://blog.peoplenewspapers.c.....ent-284756
I didn’t miss it. I gave it all due consideration; I ignored it.
Whoever unfair is, u said thet they did’t do anything wrong. Your exactly right, they didn’t do anything wrong except smoke an illgal drug
i dont see how they were stupid enough to smoke pot in the SCHOOL bethroom
Sure you ignored it Trey, because it doesn’t back your position. Hundreds of studies over the years that place marijuana exactly where it should be; a harmful substance that has short and long term negative consequences. You ignore those studies and focus on a single study highlighted on a blog by a member of a group whose stated purpose is to decriminalize marijuana use.
TO: Ray Canevari @ Feb 8th, 2008: 1:59 pm
Ray,
Since Trey didn’t respond, I will. You asked: “find a program that will do what you feel the DARE program doesn’t….GIVE ME SOLUTIONS INSTEAD!!”
To those ends, I direct your attention to the US Govt Center for Substance Abuse Prevention. They are a terrific clearinghouse for AUTHENTIC evidence-based prevention programs that have been scientifically demonstrated to generate desirable sort- and long-term outcomes.
You can find more information at:
http://modelprograms.samhsa.gov/model.htm
For the record, I am _not_ a apologist for legalization. I learned that the DARE model was consistently proven ineffective while completing doctoral research on substance abuse prevention. I reviewed outcome studies for +/- 150 programs.
While it saddens me to know that UP/HP kids are getting less than the best prevention program model, I am encouraged that the actions of two teen girls have sparked a long-overdue discussion. I am sure that those facilitating the program are skilled and caring folks, and whatever they are doing is better than nothing.
The one consistent finding in all effective prevention programs is that there is NO SUBSTITUTE for an active, cohesive, and communicating family unit. So my caution to PC parents would be this: It’s easy to believe that because using drugs doesn’t make sense to you, that your child will see that same logic. Helping your kid stay drug-free is not a task that can be sub-contracted out to hired help. It starts at home, by talking, listening, and being alert and available to your children.
Visit the link - do some homework - ask your police and schools to implement programs that have been scientifically evaluated and have demonstrated consistent good outcomes. If PC parents get that involved, those who would profit from the destruction of your childrens’ lives won’t stand a chance.
As a Certified, trained and long time Police Officer, DARE Instructor, TPWD Instructor and parent who has spent over 15 years doing volunteer work at schools-I would like to say this:
1. Raising our children begins at home
2. The teachers and officers are not raising these children
3. We’ve all been tempted at one time or another in our lives so I think your bickering is not a solution to the problem
4. I support any OFFICER who takes the time to be an SRO or DARE Instructor in any school because (at times) it is a thankless/forgetful job when youngsters are not paying attention and all parents are doing are slapping their child’s wrist when they do something wrong
Parents can be more involved if they work with the local police department.
Schools can be more effective in working with youth if they create their own Police Department (see Red Oak ISD Police Department). These Officers work with youth and it’s like a family not COPS looking over kids or babysitting them for the parents.
Too many times I have heard a parent say “let the schools/cops deal with it” or “learn it the hard way son”.
Bring yourselves together on this BLOG and come up with a solution and stop beating each other up trying to prove something.
CREATE-DON’T HATE!
I think that these 2 dumb girls that did the pot have cast a horrible rep on this amazing school, HP. Just think how this affects them! i LOVE YOU HIGHLAND PARK, AND I LUV U PRESTON DUPRE!!! cOME BACK TO hp!!
I totally agree momo (morgon)!!! LONG LIVE HIGHLAND PARKKK (not the pot heads)!!! peace out babbeyyyyy, love ya gurl shelbyyy