Rising Concern: High School Students Attending School High
06/02/2023
The problem of high school students arriving at school while under the influence of marijuana is one that has become increasingly concerning for educators, administrators, and parents alike. With the proliferation of unlicensed smoke shops and accessible vape pens and edibles, cannabis use among teenagers has been on the rise.
A former principal wrote a letter describing how marijuana use had spiraled out of control during her two years in charge of City Polytechnic High School of Engineering, Architecture, and Technology in Brooklyn. She said it was rare to catch students smoking due to its ease of accessibility. Teachers have found themselves questioning whether lack of sleep or family stress might cause disorientation in students rather than drugs.
A city councilwoman reported that although there were fewer than ten smoke shops in the Upper West Side of Manhattan in September, she had counted 64 by March. This is a shocking increase that has resulted in students buying and selling cannabis to their classmates.
In response to the problem of unlicensed smoke shops, Mayor Eric Adams vowed to crack down on them with nuisance abatement lawsuits and letters from the Manhattan district attorney threatening eviction. The state budget legislation passed this April also gave more powers to state cannabis regulators and tax authorities for closing up unlicensed stores and imposing hefty fines for illicit sales.
However, some experts believe these measures aren’t enough to properly tackle the issue. While it may accelerate progress toward tackling illegal drug dealing operations, it does little to address the wider issue of teenagers using marijuana before school. Schools need to focus on providing accurate information about the drug and its effects in order to prevent young people from becoming addicted or suffering from long-term health issues.
In addition, parents play a key role in communicating with their children about the dangers of drugs. Open communication can ensure that teens are aware of the risks associated with cannabis use and understand the consequences of not following the law. Education, support, and good parenting habits should help curb any potential increase in cannabis use among high school students. The safety and well-being of our children must be prioritized at all times.
Reference
A former principal wrote a letter describing how marijuana use had spiraled out of control during her two years in charge of City Polytechnic High School of Engineering, Architecture, and Technology in Brooklyn. She said it was rare to catch students smoking due to its ease of accessibility. Teachers have found themselves questioning whether lack of sleep or family stress might cause disorientation in students rather than drugs.
A city councilwoman reported that although there were fewer than ten smoke shops in the Upper West Side of Manhattan in September, she had counted 64 by March. This is a shocking increase that has resulted in students buying and selling cannabis to their classmates.
In response to the problem of unlicensed smoke shops, Mayor Eric Adams vowed to crack down on them with nuisance abatement lawsuits and letters from the Manhattan district attorney threatening eviction. The state budget legislation passed this April also gave more powers to state cannabis regulators and tax authorities for closing up unlicensed stores and imposing hefty fines for illicit sales.
However, some experts believe these measures aren’t enough to properly tackle the issue. While it may accelerate progress toward tackling illegal drug dealing operations, it does little to address the wider issue of teenagers using marijuana before school. Schools need to focus on providing accurate information about the drug and its effects in order to prevent young people from becoming addicted or suffering from long-term health issues.
In addition, parents play a key role in communicating with their children about the dangers of drugs. Open communication can ensure that teens are aware of the risks associated with cannabis use and understand the consequences of not following the law. Education, support, and good parenting habits should help curb any potential increase in cannabis use among high school students. The safety and well-being of our children must be prioritized at all times.
Reference
