We are all concerned about underage drinking. The latest statistics from a student survey in February of 2006 revealed that 42 percent of Westbrook High School students are consuming alcohol at least once a month, with almost one out of every four students engaging in binge drinking (defined as drinking in excess of five beers, shots or wine coolers at one time).
These are alarming statistics, that worry us all. When kids drink, they drink to get drunk. Experts have concluded that teenage brains are damaged from this activity, and, as educators, we know that such a shocking usage of substances contributes to academic failure for many. These findings, along with recent violations of the school code of conduct policy, are causing us to reassess our thinking as to what will reach our students. Over the past several weeks, School Committee members, administrators, and concerned parents have met on several occasions in an attempt to create a policy that will deter kids from drinking, while retaining the necessary consequences that will enable kids to learn from their mistakes.
Every day I meet with students from all over the spectrum. Some are heavy drinkers whose lives tell a toilsome tale of suffering from the ravages of alcohol’s effect upon them. For others, the disease of alcoholism has raised havoc in their family, and unless changes occur, it will do the same for the child. Some students are caught up in the party scene and as substances are abused, risky behaviors follow, many of which can change the lives of our kids forever.
I listen to the stories, reflect with students upon their choices, and help them to pick up the pieces when the fun ends. We do not often see immediate changes in the lives and choices teens make. But we lay the seeds of hope, and believe that character is being developed through the hard trials of life where mistakes are made and learning occurs.
The life of a teenager is tough, and high school can be a difficult place to fit in, even for those who seem well adjusted on the outside. Far too often, teens find that the first drink helps to give them needed confidence socially, but their inexperience prevents them from understanding that there are hidden consequences in their choice to drink, which can grind away at the soul, create legal problems, and hinder their ability to learn.
Within the last two weeks, the School Committee re-opened discussion of the high school code of conduct policy, which at present calls for a year-long suspension for a second substance violation by a student involved in either activities or athletics. When the policy was written three years ago, our intent was to provide a strong deterrent to the above-mentioned behaviors in hopes that students might consider the consequences and opt to remain alcohol and drug free. Our experience has proven otherwise. Recent violations have caused us to re-examine how we reach kids, but even more importantly, how we continue to engage them once a violation occurs.
From my experience, I recommend that we change the existing policy to a three-tier approach that provides an intermediate step before issuing a year-long suspension. In many cases, sports and activities provide the only connections for some students to school. These extra-curricular activities serve to instruct, prepare, and educate young people with the skills to work through adversity, establish confidence, work together, and achieve success. As such, a change in the present policy is not about softening our approach or letting kids off the hook, but strengthening our efforts to put in place a policy that works.
We need to be willing to expand upon the teachable moments we have with our children, create conversations, and allow the natural consequences of a teen’s decision to drink to hold him or her accountable. The proposed second offense of 10 weeks will remove a student from the entire season for sports and a significant part of the year for activities. That is an eternity for a teenager. Our work is to keep kids engaged and provide opportunities for learning, where meaningful consequences lay the seeds for change.
As such, I have no hesitation about recommending the addition of a third tier to the code of conduct policy. Our priority must be what is in the best interest of kids. Toughness alone will not work unless it is tempered by love, forgiveness, and understanding. These are not bad kids: they have made bad choices. We are all alarmed at the statistics from the latest Maine Youth Drug and Alcohol Survey. We should be angry at the ease of availability whereby kids of any age are able to consume whatever alcoholic beverage they choose. Our responsibility as adults must be to send a consistent message that works with kids by creating learning experiences that do not burden the soul, but strengthen it.
Bruce A. Dyer is the substance abuse counselor at Westbrook High School.
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