This is part one of a two-part series examining drug use on the West Shore. Find the second installment online here.
Assumptions and misconceptions surrounding drug use may be whatB次元官网网址檚 preventing teens from getting help or even talking to adults about what theyB次元官网网址檙e using B次元官网网址� and many are using.
The Goldstream B次元官网网址 Gazette talked with four West Shore high school students about their drug use and what types of drugs they are seeing other students use. The studentsB次元官网网址� names have been changed to protect their identities.
While most wonB次元官网网址檛 admit it to their parents, that doesnB次元官网网址檛 mean some high school students arenB次元官网网址檛 using drugs other than marijuana. Sam said Xanax and lean (a codeine-based cough syrup concoction) are popular choices for teenagers.
Teens can buy Xanax, or a knock-off of the drug, on the streets for $3, which Joe alluded to being cut with other unknown substances due to the price.
With three popular types of Xanax available on the street, Jane said theyB次元官网网址檙e sold according to colour and strengths. TheyB次元官网网址檙e called yellow school bus, green hulk and white rabbit.
All four teens noted drugs are easily accessible and they would be able to get their hands on them if they wanted to.
B次元官网网址淲e donB次元官网网址檛 really touch other stuff, but there are other kids that go down and deep. ItB次元官网网址檚 getting kind of harsh,B次元官网网址� Sam said.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a lot of people who do drugs, and thereB次元官网网址檚 nothing people can do to stop it, IB次元官网网址檓 pretty sure half the smoke pit is high all the time,B次元官网网址� Jane added.
The question is not if teens are using drugs but how to get them to open up about their drug use before itB次元官网网址檚 too late.
READ MORE: Grade 10 Belmont student dies from suspected overdose
Jane said it upsets her when she sees classmates in school high on drugs because some use it as a way to cope with mental health issues, and they donB次元官网网址檛 or canB次元官网网址檛 get the help they need.
B次元官网网址淭he majority of people at the smoke pit donB次元官网网址檛 do it just for fun, being high in class isnB次元官网网址檛 fun.B次元官网网址�
She noted some teens smoke pot in groups of more than a dozen in a house just down the street from the school.
Neither of the girls smoke pot now, nor do they do any other drugs, but they do smoke cigarettes, which they said can lump them in with the B次元官网网址榮toner crowdB次元官网网址� in the eyes of adults.
At lunch time, the girls mingle with friends in the designated smoking area. They said itB次元官网网址檚 a common misconception that everyone there does drugs and they are often judged because of that.
Although, Mary admitted there are exceptions and her school counsellor is one of them.
B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 always telling me IB次元官网网址檓 a good person, and IB次元官网网址檝e got a lot of people that love me,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 been getting me through.B次元官网网址�
Having a support system is key.
Jane went through a phase where she smoked a lot of weed and was able to talk it through with her parents, but didnB次元官网网址檛 approach a counsellor at school.
B次元官网网址淔or the most part our counsellors are pretty helpful, but you have to go to them and make the first move,B次元官网网址� Jane admitted. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 really awkward when you go in and say B次元官网网址業 smoke weed, please donB次元官网网址檛 expel me, I just want to talk.B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淚n a lot of cases too they will go to your parents,B次元官网网址� Mary added. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 supposed to be confidential, but a lot of stuff here they donB次元官网网址檛 really keep confidential.B次元官网网址�
John and Sam said they talk to their parents about marijuana, but wouldnB次元官网网址檛 tell their parents if they were thinking of experimenting with other drugs because they know theyB次元官网网址檒l be met with opposition.
B次元官网网址淥ther drugs are a big no-go, but when itB次元官网网址檚 only marijuana, theyB次元官网网址檙e completely fine with it because they think itB次元官网网址檚 going to be legal later on,B次元官网网址� Sam said. B次元官网网址淏ut when it comes to the hard drugs, like say Xanax, none of that.B次元官网网址�
John added he would consider telling his parents months after the fact if he experimented with harder drugs. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 pretty straightforward, IB次元官网网址檓 pretty honest with my parents,B次元官网网址� he explained. B次元官网网址淎t first I had to hide marijuana from them but now B次元官网网址� itB次元官网网址檚 not really a big deal. But other drugs, no.B次元官网网址�
The sentiment was echoed by Jane and Mary, who both have had honest conversations with their parents about pot. But Mary said her parents would be less open to a conversation past that, adding they would just forbid her from doing other drugs.
READ MORE: Parents grieving teenB次元官网网址檚 overdose death say it started with opioid prescription
The Sooke School District has 28 school-based counsellors that students can talk to or confide in, 18 of which are also members of the critical incident response team. Students also have youth and family counsellors, school-based social workers, mental health clinicians, and others at their disposal.
SD62 superintendent Jim Cambridge said all staff have the ability to access resources quickly for students or refer them elsewhere if further assistance is required.
B次元官网网址淎ll of our counsellors, principals and vice principals in our secondary schools (specifically) are used to supporting students when it comes to choices about drug use or dependencies. They have the ability to connect community resource people when needed. This is a big part of their work,B次元官网网址� he said.
B次元官网网址淐ounsellors, principals and vice principals are all compassionate and want the best for their students - thatB次元官网网址檚 why they chose the profession they did. Whether itB次元官网网址檚 helping students with their academics or making safe choices, their goal is to help students as much as possible to get them the assistance they might need.B次元官网网址�
While there is programming and other resources available in schools, Cambridge stressed the importance of parents talking openly with their children about substance abuse, including alcohol, medications and other drugs, after the suspected overdose death of a Grade 10 student earlier this month.
The Sooke School District has a number of resources available online and in schools if your child needs help. For more information on some of those resources available to parents and guardians, go to or contact your schoolB次元官网网址檚 counselling department.
Like us on and follow us on
