Teens and hard drugs

[jellyfish70]

I've name changed for this. My DD has recently told me that some of her fellow 6th formers are taking cocaine, ketamine, MDMA.
I knew many of them smoked weed but I am quite shocked at the prevalence of these hard drugs at that age. I thought they were expensive for a start. Luckily my DD isn't in to it, she likes to drink on nights out but doesn't smoke and is working really hard at school. So while I don't have personal worries, should I do something about this information or will the school not be interested?

[justforareply]

I'd be interested to see if better informed MNers than myself think the school would be interested.
Fwiw, this is common in all schools I know of round here in all education sectors. And younger than sixth form.
I suspect the schools know anyway.

[jellyfish70]

I am realising I am sounding very naive. It’s my eldest child so everything is a first parenting wise. Having said that, I’ve never been around drugs, wasn’t interested in the rave scene (not my music taste) and the only people who smoked weed at my school were ‘ weirdos’ to coin the term at the time. DD tells me that’s not the case anymore and I know this as I smell cannabis almost daily on dog walks and walking past gardens and cars. I guess I thought those drugs were out of reach of the average 17/18 yr old. They don’t have any drug counselling on offer at school or any talks about it like they did when they had phse lessons pre gcse .

[danicohn]

Know a mum who's kids go to a chavvy state school, I asked her about it with her, she said that students smoke weed in school, and vape in class! Her DS told her drug dogs going around the lockers isn't uncommon aswell...

[ShabbyAbby]

It's really common. Among all walks of life. These are not what people usually mean by "hard" drugs though, these are so called "party" drugs.

[jellyfish70]

Wow. I’m amazed and obviously lead a sheltered life. This is an outstanding state school btw.

[TapasForTwo]

"she said that students smoke weed in school, and vape in class!"

Really! In school?
DD's school would have either had those children in isolation or suspended them.

[jellyfish70]

There’s no drugs being smoked in school.Smoke alarms would go off. I think some may go off site at lunch and in free periods to smoke weed. This is surely a safeguarding issue for the school as you have to protect the students in your care.

[scarecrowhead]

It's very common in all walks of life. What do you think happens at university?

[danicohn]

@TapasForTwo Last time I was with her DS (picking him and mine up), he said outside they have a system called tanning, this is where they huddle up and smoke and then waft it away, very effective apparently

[jellyfish70]

I suppose I’m shocked at it starting at 16/17 and the type of drugs. I expected weed. Like I say I’ve never done anything apart from drink so a little green in these things. I’m also concerned for the kids as I know some of the families.

[jellyfish70]

So, would you inform the school ? I don’t want to give names but just make them aware if they’re not already. Is there anyone out there, perhaps a teacher that knows what schools would do if anything?

[scarecrowhead]

Are they taking it in school ?

[jellyfish70]

Only weed off site as far as I know, but coming back in to school under the influence.
I don’t think they’re doing other drugs on site.

[jellyfish70]

I know teachers can’t stop them but would they not have a duty to educate knowing that it’s happening? I’m thinking getting someone in to give a talk , information evening for parents?

[Runningbackwards]

Chavvy State School - nice

[Langrish]

Classmate of our son told his parents some students were smoking weed and where they were keeping it in lockers and boarding houses. They reported and were basically sent away with a flea in their ear, told effectively boys will be boys, they talk a good game, it’s all bravado and unlikely to be true. No spot checks, nothing.
Our son (day pupil) is leaving after exams, thank goodness though we’re realistic enough to know he’ll encounter all sorts at Sixth Form. Just have to trust he has the good sense we think he does.
Very different world to my college days, when fags and cheap booze were the worst hazards for me and my average peers. Anyone doing anything else was genuinely considered a dangerous weirdo. It’s the norm now.

[ASauvignonADay]

I would let them know. We only go up to Y11 but would appreciate a heads up. We do know that cannabis use is fairly wide spread (from y9 onwards) and some y10/y11 students use harder drugs like mdma and ketamine. Luckily with the latter I don't think it is widespread but we would appreciate intel from parents on the matter.

Knowing about this kind of thing influences what preventative/educational work we do (eg. Assembly input/getting outside agencies in).

[ASauvignonADay]

Is it a solely 6th form college or is it also a school?

[jellyfish70]

Thanks Asauvignionday that’s the kind of thing I was thinking.
I’m shocked at yr9 onwards! I suppose schools don’t want to flag this up to parents to protect their reputation but many parents of my generation have no clue this is going on at that age!

[jellyfish70]

It’s a school with 6th form.

[troppibambini]

I started smoking at 12
Weed at 13
Speed at 15
E's at 16
Cocaine at 17

I went to a naice school in a middle class area and I would say 50% of kids were the same. Unfortunately it is very very common all you can do is arm them with as much information as possible and try and keep the lines of communication open.
Try and be understanding and not clutch your pearls too much.
For what's it's worth I'm a very normal 40 year old mother of four now.

[jellyfish70]

How did you get past that tropp ?Did you get help from parents or school?

[ASauvignonADay]

I suppose schools don’t want to flag this up to parents to protect their reputation but many parents of my generation have no clue this is going on at that age!
I guess I'm not sure how this would be communicated? If any parent asked me I'd be honest, but it's not the sort of thing you'd post on the school website!

It certainly isn't just "chavvy state schools" either. Prestigious private schools have the same problems, in fact, in some cases worse because their teens have access to money which gives them better access to substances.

[jellyfish70]

No of course it wouldn’t be on the website. I’m thinking along the lines of a drug awareness talk knowing that many teens come into contact with drugs and the peer pressure involved. Or information from FRANK being made available.

[ASauvignonADay]

I think it's perfectly possible to use drugs socially and grow out of it. The problem is the risk. The risk of actual ill effects of the drugs, or going down the wrong path/getting hooked. Talking to your DC about the risks and potential consequences and as another poster said, keeping the lines of communication open, is really important. They're old enough to do what they want, so best bet is to give them enough information for them to make an informed choice.