Sounds a bit like Family Feud, and I suppose there IS an analogy in there. Two studies have been released on the national level as well as the state level regarding our future...or to be more precise, our TEENS.
And the future ain't lookin' all that bright.
The national survey/study finds teens are abusing fewer illicit drugs (sort of). Teens are abusing prescription drugs at a higher rate than all the "on street" crap. Oxycontin and Vicodin are at the top of the heap. While meth use has declined, cocaine use has not, nor has marijuana use...and we're talking about 8th, 10th, and 12th graders here. Still, overall use of drugs in general by these students HAS diminished somewhat, according to this study made by Michigan's Institute for Social Research. The institute states that the drugs MOST responsible for the decline in illicit drug use are pot, amphetamines, meth, and crystal meth.
The study also found that the sharpest INCREASE of any drug was the use of ANABOLIC STEROIDS (so Barry Bonds IS a "role model"??? Gimme a break!) by male teens throughout the first years of this millennium. Since 2002, usage has dropped as well, with 12th graders having the largest drop from 40% in 2002 to 2.3% this year.
We can glean from this that students are using fewer "certain" drugs, while actually using more "other certain" drugs. I would say that we basically are breaking even here.
And that's the GOOD news...
But hold them horses, buster...we're not quite finished yet.
Another survey (this one pertaining to the wonderful state of Indiana) regarding "risky" behavior by youths in our state found that teens are MORE active (could be all those drugs they're NOT using as much, which STILL doesn't account for the obesity factor), AND are "somewhat" more prone to carry weapons than they were a few years ago. The results from the 2007 Indiana Youth Risk Behavior Survey outlined improvement is some areas (thank the Maker for that much) such as lower suicide rates while highlighting persistent problems such as SMOKING, as well as areas where risky behavior increased, like gun-toting. Snuff, dip and chewing tobacco use are going up, along with an increase in CIGAR use (smoke dem blunts, baby). Allen County health "commish" Deb McMahan stated the obvious by saying "It's always a mixed bag".
I liken it to a "box of chocolates" (said Forrest).
Binge drinking increased (28.2% of HS students reported doing it in the last 30 days), and violence is still a growing problem, with 9.1% of students having carried a gun in the past 30 days. One in five had carried some sort of weapon in the past 30 days with 6.9% of them doing it ON school property (and I know who's busting them when they attempt it). The FWCS director of security says this is symptomatic of a growing culture of violence (and maybe we should meet "force with force" instead of trying to be their friend?). John Weicker (Allen county chair of the School Safety Commission) said some kids carry weapons to impress friends, others out of fear or even for intimidation.
OK...I'm just not feeling GOOD about any of this...how about you?
Weicker also said that they are being proactive in dealing with violent kids, especially when it comes to weapons (how's about wailin' the snot out of the PARENTS for an hour or so as well...just to drive the point home?) and are working closely with law enforcement to confiscate weapons (which are easily enough replaced on OUR streets it seems) and discipline those carrying them, citing the kids are not getting a "slap on the wrist". Health officials say more study is needed including followups with the teens McMahan says: "You can't DO anything until you know WHY".
Well I know why...and it's not going to cost a ton of dinero to figure this one out.
Five "easy" words:
-Accountability
-Responsibility
-Ethics
-Parents
-Values
You get THESE 5 guys in play, and your WILL score one for the home team. But if ANY of those words are missing from the equation, nothing will balance at all.
Solved THAT problem...so what's next? World hunger? Leukemia? Alternative Energy? C'mon.....gimme something that actually CHALLENGES my abilities, gang!
(Just don't make it Global Warming...I'm not a fan of Stockholm...OR Al Gore)
3 comments:
Hey, Thanks for the post over on my blog. I like your picture for this post better than mine. Didn't even think of trying to get a Family Feud graphic!
Bob,
Provocative post!
Considering our local school corporations it has been studied and found, perhaps surprisingly, that certain school districts that are more affluent in nature have a higher percentage of students engaging in this style of activity simply because they have the economic means to do so and have "better" connections to where these drugs are supplied.
Many educations philosophers, and they do exist, believe teachers should not only teach content but common morals as well. However, that is not exactly on the table for discussion.
I am curious to know if you would you support such a move in education across the country.
CML
Kurt:
Thanks for the "thank you" - much appreciated.
Charles:
Having married a teacher (and having taught Sunday school in another lifetime), I feel it's paramount that someone begins to educate kids regarding common sense, moral values, and social ethics.
And we cannot begin soon enough. It seems many parents have neither the time nor the desire to do it. I would be remiss to mention that many parents THEMSELVES do not have these values, so how can they even attempt to "pass on" to their kids what THEY themselves lack.
I'm all in favor of this "new" approach to old-school education.
Thanks for the comment.
B.G.
Post a Comment