Last Updated on December 10, 2019 by Valarie Ward

Did you know that there are more than 2,500 public schools in North Carolina? These schools are staffed by over 122,000 teachers, including teacher assistants. Over 1.4 million students attend public school.

Tobacco, alcohol, and drug related behaviors have become prevalent enough in public schools to amass specific percentages. According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS):

• 18 percent of high school students in NC have smoked cigarettes on at least one day during a given month.
• 11 percent have used a tobacco product at least one day during a given month.
• 43 percent have used marijuana at least once.
• 11 percent have inhaled, sniffed, or breathed in an inhalant to get high.
• 7 percent have used pain killers for nonmedical reasons.

Drug Use and Suicide among NC Students

According to a study from the 90s focusing on drug use and suicide ideation and behavior among North Carolina public school students, suicide is the second leading cause of death among youth in the U.S. ages 15 to 19. While the reported statistics are obviously outdated, the discovered relationship between substance abuse and suicidal behavior is not.

The National Bureau of Economic Research reports that each year more American youth die from suicide than any other leading natural causes of death combined. Students who use drugs or alcohol are markedly more likely to contemplate or attempt suicide.

Turning the Tide on Suicide

The impact of drugs (and alcohol) on students in our public schools indicates a growing need for substance abuse education, treatment, and prevention. One of the first and greatest steps we can take as parents is to discuss drug use with our children openly.

• Discuss the Dangers: Don’t shy away from discussing the dangers of drug use with your tween or teen. The sooner they know how dangerous drugs can be, the more prepared they will be to say no to doing drugs.
• Discuss the Diversity: A drug is a drug. While some—like marijuana, heroin, and cocaine—are instantly known as “do no try” drugs, others are less known. Discuss the diversity of drugs with your tween or teen. Talk about how normal household products can be dangerous inhalants.
• Discuss Prescription Drugs: Thousands of students attending public school take prescription drugs. Some have prescriptions for chronic conditions while others are using a medicine for a short-term purpose. Explain why taking another person’s prescription is dangerous, and warm your teen or tween against accepting someone else’s drug.
• Discuss Pain Killers: Don’t be afraid to have a serious talk about pain killers. As one of the most widely abused substances readily available over the counter, the sooner you talk to your teen or tween about avoiding pain killer abuse, the better.

Students who try and use drugs are more likely to think about or attempt suicide. You can help turn the tide on this terrible trend by establishing and keeping an open line of communication with your child.