EDAR 500 - Drugs, Kids, & Teachers (3)

When young people experiment with drugs and alcohol-and statistics indicate that many of them do-it can be damaging to students’ motivation, engagement, and academic performance, not to mention their health. Occasional or “gateway” experimentation can quickly lead to addiction, accidental or intentional injury to self or others, and negative long-term social, emotional, and academic outcomes. 

One of the biggest challenges teachers face is that it can be hard to tell if and when students are using drugs. Students don’t always show obvious signs of drug use or abuse, and there is no easy way to predict who will. What you can do, however, is recognize risk factors, implement preventative measures, and intervene in appropriate and effective ways. 

In this course, you will learn about the drugs teenagers commonly use and where they access them. You will examine factors that often lead to drug use so you can better identify students who are at risk and implement preventative efforts. In addition, you will develop concrete, effective strategies for intervening when students are using drugs. 

With the knowledge you gain in this course, you will be prepared to educate parents and the community to partner with you to keep your students safe and sober.