I am an eighth grader. I recently became aware of the huge amount of kids, my age, in my classes, that do drugs. That deal drugs. This is completely new to me. And it shocked me.
Part of the education problem, I think, is drugs. I would say about half my class does/has done drugs. And about half my class gets bad grades.
Now, I know this isn't a new discovery, but I want to re-point it out. And I'm not just assuming they do drugs, they talk about with their friends. It's hilarious to them. And their fake ID's they buy alcohol with, that too. But it seems to me, the adults just ignore it. My core teacher, for instance, she is most definately within hearing range of it all, but she doesn't react. Once. The police have come once, questioned the kid who confessed to my friend asking if he really was a drug dealer, he lied, they let him off. That is about as much commotion I have heard.
It seems to be if people want to know whats corrupting kids minds, its not the TV, its not YouTube, or the internet. It's the drugs. I suggest someone take action. I would, but what can I do?
I'm just a kid.
In my adult life, I have worked a variety of occupations including two years as a counselor for a non-profit organization that worked with underpriviledged teens. Although this stint was 20 years ago, there are a number of things that remain constant. Before you condemn public officials such as teachers and law enforcement officials, understand where things are at and what position these individuals are in.
Your teacher for example has less authority today than what teachers had 30 years ago for a variety of reasons, be it laws, or school district policy, or lack of support from parents. For example, when I went to school I did whatever I had to do in order for the principal NOT to call my parents due to a disciplinary issue because that would mean bad news for me at home. Today, in a disciplinary situation at school it is often the kid that is calling the parents who then raise some kind of stink of picking on their kid, the race card, etc.-what's wrong with this picture? The bottom line for the individual teacher is he or she likes to eat and have a roof over their head. Therefore, bringing up such incidents as you describe is a can of worms that may end up with the teacher getting disciplined instead of the offender(s).
As for law enforcement officials, when it comes to drugs they have done their job so well that the prison system/jails are jammed with drug offenders serving time. So a law enforcement official finding a way to drop the issue in the particular case you mention is not a surprise to me because I understand where we as a nation are at in the War on Drugs.
What can you do as a kid? If there is only one thing you do about this issue let it be keeping yourself away from falling into that culture. I admire your wisdom in recognizing the problem and the consequences from that sort of activity. Tell you friends is another thing you can do. However, most of what needs to be done has to come from society. For example, the federal government now spends more money on the War on Drugs than it does on education. Hey, maybe a good education is a good weapon against kids from using drugs? How about having good jobs where that education can be used instead of becoming a nation of service workers? How about parents supporting their school system instead of shopping around for lawsuits? There are a number of things that need and can be done, but we have a long road to travel. In the meantime, keep yourself on the right path. Your ability to recognize problems and be concerned for your fellow human will carry you far in life.