To treachers
Dear colleagues,
In the past few years the use of drugs and alcohol tremendously
increased and it is a threat to the whole society.Unfortunately
this problem concerns not only the people that use these substances, but also
their families,
relatives,
their social environment.
Most often the first meeting with psychologically active substances
happens to be in school age, when young people have the need to experiment, to be
noticed, supported and encouraged. During that period they find drugs very easy, thinking
that by using them they will get what they miss. Because of that reason teachers
together with parents have responsibility and can be of use for preventing and
limiting the consequences caused by drugs or alcohol use.
The next few lines can help you to be informed, prepared
and familiar with the basic signals that could
direct to problematic use of psychologically activae substances.
Signs that could indicate usage of psychologically active substances
Before making a statement that some of your students uses drugs, do have
in mind that part of the signals that indicate usage are atypical and could be
observed during the period of puberty or could be signals for a traumatic
experience.
That is why it is a good idea to look at the signals in their specific
context. Having this done will decrease the risk of incorrect interpretation of
the facts.
Social marginalization
• Change of values and principles that are valid for the society
• Lack of structured free time (sports, hobby)
• Difficulties with the social integration, belonging to marginal groups, a life
style that is against the law
Behavior
• Passiveness,
apathy,
withdrawal
• Changing moods,
hyper activity,
hyper excitement,
nervousness,
euphoria,
irritability
• Daydreaming,
manipulating,
challenging behavior, using threats
• Lack of sense of time, being scattered, running away from classes, being not organized
• Confusion,
conflicts,
inconsistency between words and actions
• Deteriorating of school marks and results
• Decreasing the ability to concentrate and pay attention
• Frequent conflicts
with school authorities
• Lack of interest,
leaving behind all school activities and duties
Relationships with coevals
• Change of friends’ circle (company), frequent phone calls with mysterious content
• Avoiding contacts with teachers and school authorities
• Lack of communication with classmates
• Hostile,
avoiding,
withdrawing or mysterious behavior
• Having money issues with classmates
Typical signs
• Finding the substance in the person
• Presence of tools for consuming such as seared spoon, syringe, foil, eye
and nose drops
• Traces of pricking on the hands, legs, hips
• Dilated or contracted pupils, red eyes
Recommendations
Support your opinions with facts
• Get familiar with what is the person that you have doubts about doing, what
is his environment in school like, what is he doing during the class intervals
• Pay attention to the changes in his/her behavior
• Pay attention (talk to the class teacher and other teachers) how much time
this student is spending at school
Self educate yourself
• Search for objective information about psychologically active substances in
order to be prepared for a conversation
• Visit professional web sites and forums about drugs. Do have in mind that not
all the information that is on the internet is correct and objective
• Call the drugs info line at 0888 99 18 66 should you have specific questions
• Do not forget that blaming someone could limit and destroy the communication
• You do not need to become experts about drugs but get enough information
Search for dialogue
• Do not use blaming and judging
• Be supportive and understanding but do put clear boundaries and rules
• Be informed about psychologically active substances
• Support your words with arguments and facts
Prevention
• Take care to educate in prevention the rest of the students
• Invite someone or institution that is working in the field of addiction to
give a lecture in your school, participate together with the students in events
that support the healthy way of living or organize such events yourself
• Organize your work with the school psychologist
How to react
Consult with the school psychologist
• Share your doubts and support them with facts
• Think of different options to act having in mind the personality of the
student
A conversation with the student
• Maintain a calm and not blaming conversation and support your opinion with
facts
• Set clear boundaries and rules
• Make a warning that you will inform the parents
• Say clear that you are willing and ready to look for support and help if such
is needed
Inform the parents
• It is recommendable to meet with the parents in school to inform them rather
than talking on the phone with them
• Give the information in a delicate and kind manner
• Give the facts that you have noticed and the arguments that support your
assumption
• It is good to say that you are willing to help and support and to coordinate
your common actions in one direction
Do not forget that if you have doubts or feeling uncertain or should you like to learn more, you can call the drugs info line at 0888 99 18 66 or use some of the other information channels - chat, forum or E-mail. And one more thing– the use of drugs and alcohol could be a symptom of having personal or family problems. Delivering messages such as „Drugs do harm”, „You will fail”, „You will lose your life/health” could lead to loss of trust and limit the dialogue.
