Tobacco and Alcohol Use
Dealing with them in schools
The Problem with Drugs
Alcohol and tobacco use are becoming problems in the U.S. for teenagers. 23.7% of high school students have reported binge drinking. And almost 20% of high schoolers are regular tobacco users (cigarettes and other tobacco products) Tobacco and drinking can lead to a shortened life, and other serious health complications like cancer and heart problems. A main cause of death for alcohol is drunk driving. Even though the number of death is decreasing, the amount of people driving drunk have stayed the same. It is extremely hard to change your ways, especially if you're addicted. Although it is hard, it can be done, but it starts by getting help.
How to get help with drugs at School
School is a very important place and many people remember it forever. You most likely do not want to remember it as that time that you struggled with drugs you were addicted to. School is a very good place to start with your problems, and there are many useful people in a school environment you can talk to. A few good places to start are counselors, nurses, teachers, and even your friends. Alcohol and tobacco use are becoming problems in the U.S. for teenagers. 23.7% of high school students have reported binge drinking. And almost 20% of high schoolers are regular tobacco users (cigarettes and other tobacco products)
School Counselors
All schools have a counselor, or multiple of them. They are always open to talking to a student about their problems. They will keep what you tell them confidential between the two of you, unless keeping it quiet is illegal and there are state laws against it. Counselors are much smarter than most people think. They can provide good information, and can help you turn your problem around.
Teachers
Many teachers would be open to talking about tobacco and drug use with a student. A few teachers may have even experienced or dealt with a similar problem. Different teachers have different perspectives on the drugs, and may react differently. You can use your best judgement to decide which teacher it would be the best to talk to about different situations.
Nurses
Almost all nurses are extremely friendly and easy to approach. And if you want nobody to find out, and for the person you came to for help not to remember you as "that person" a nurse is a good place to start. They are skilled in their position and could most likely give you information that others couldn't. Nurses would be one of the better first options to go to in a school environment.
Friends
If you have found your true friends and can trust them with anything, then friends are good people to talk to. It may be particularly hard to talk to them about it if they aren't aware of your situation. If they already know that you've been using drugs, then it may be much easier to talk about with them. Friends are always a good place to start, but if you can't completely trust them, it may be risky to talk to that person about it.