Northwest+Expert+Advice

Officer Demeropolis Q. How do taking drugs affect a student's academics and participation in extracirrular activites?
 * __Interview #1__**

A. Students taking drugs will think that they are smarter than when they are not taking drugs and will become dependent because they feel that they need to take it in order to succeed. In sports the same way they will believe that the drugs are helping them play better than what they really are. Their body will become resistant so they will need to take stronger doses in order to feel the effects.

Q. Why do you think some teens feel the need to use drugs?

A. The number one reason is because they want to fit into the crowd and feel peer pressure. The real reality is that they have low self-esteem and want to feel belonged.

Q. How is the behavior of a teenager who uses drugs differ from a teenager that does not use drugs?

A. There are usually two extremes one in which the person becomes lethargic, dopey and slow the other extreme is when the person becomes very high and loopy. Physical signs of a person who uses drugs are lack of dilation in the eyes and they cannot follow the movement of objects.

Q. How can parents help their child if they are using drugs?

A. The best way to confront a teenager using drugs is to have an open conversation with them, know who they are hanging our with and watch their behavior. It has to all begin at an early age to prevent it from happening in the teenage years.

Q. How can a student help their friend who is using drugs?

A. Students should talk to their friend in a one -on- one converation and convience them that they have a problem. If you someones true friend you won't let them go down road.

Mrs. Disbro: Psychology Degree: Indiana University
 * __Interview #2__**

Q. How do taking drugs affect a student's academics and participation in extracurricular activities?

A. It can effect a students motivation to do well in school and sports, negatively effect their school attendance and they will not be able to concentrate.

Q. Why do you think some teens feel the need to use drugs?

A. They feel peer pressure and the need to feel loved and that they belong. Also they may have seen others take drugs who were rewarded for doing it.

Q. How is the behavior of a teenager who uses drugs differ from a teenager that doe not use drugs?

A. Teenagers who use drugs will be social withdrawn and teenagers who do not will be active in activities. Essentially it is detached v. attached to society.

Q. How can parents help their child it they are using drugs?

A. Parents need to be involved and have to be willing to get help for their child. They have to be willing to talk about the issue and cannot be afraid to address it. Some parents are often in denial about the problem that their teenager has and do not face the issue. Open communication at an early age about these things helps prevent your child from getting caught up in these things.

Q. How can a student help their friend who is using drugs?

A. A student needs to tell an adult so that they do not have to take on that huge of a responsibility.

__**Interview # 3**__ Mr. Keith Mabis: Northwest High School Psychologist. Degree: Miami University

Q. How do taking drugs affect a student's academics and participation in extracurricular activities?

A. Drugs can lessen a student's motivation for school and impair their judgement. By taking drugs you are exposing yourself to arrest and if you are caught you would be suspended from school and kicked off sports teams.

Q. Why do you think some teens feel the need to use drugs?

A. The need or want may come from boredom and a want to try something new, sometimes a teenager cannot deal with their reality and need an escape from stress, or they may be trying to self medicate.

Q. How is the behavior of a teenager who uses drugs differ from a teenager that doe not use drugs?

A. A teenager who uses drugs will have less motivation, be much less interested in academic success, less goal oriented, lower grades and higher absences.

Q. How can parents help their child it they are using drugs?

A. Parents can talk to their teenager and help them with treatment or counseling. Also let them know that drugs only mask problems rather than solve them.

Q. How can a student help their friend who is using drugs?

A. Be sure not to glamorize the problem, recommend that they seek help and be understanding but that doesn't mean you should condone their actions.