By Kiara Green
Opinions Reporter
Students at Crete Monee feel as if teens use drugs to cope with possible mental health issues and escape reality.
Graphic courtesy of rhshawkeye.com
“Mental health does sometimes lead teens to doing drugs. Some teens are not sane, so they use drugs for temporary happiness,” Jaylen Blakes said.
Blakes believes some teens use drugs to deal with mental issues, but he also believes that drugs aren't a good coping mechanism.
While some students think a drug test should not be allowed for school activities such as sports, Blakes feels differently. He believes that a drug test for sports can change some athletes' perspectives, and this could possibly better them in the future.
“Yes, drug tests should be necessary for school activities,” said Blakes.
Blake states that not all students are easily distracted in class when they’re under the influence of a drug.
“Most teens use drugs to escape reality,” senior Marciara Mikell said.
Mikell also believes that most teens use drugs to escape reality when facing difficult times.
“Instead of considering parents that allow their kids to smoke as ‘careless,’ I think they’re mindful instead,” said Mikell
Mikell believes that parents should be aware of their child’s habits to enhance their child’s safety and prevent anything bad from happening to them, such as getting laced, etc.
Mikell said that parents who allow their kids to smoke aren’t careless, but they’re instead mindful. She also stated that it’s best that the parent knows so their child won’t have to sneak around and do something they may regret later.
“Drug tests should not be required because the school would then be interfering with that student’s personal life,” states Mikell.
Mikell states that this will also mess up a lot of opportunities for a lot of students. She believes that if the student can leave their personal habits away from school then it shouldn’t be a problem.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the 5 main reasons for teen drug usage includes, to fit in, to feel good, to feel better, to do better, and to experiment.
“Teens take drugs to enhance their happiness, reduce their stress, and escape reality , while others simply just grew up around it.” said Senior Christen Jones
Along with most students, Jones states that most teens abuse drugs to cope with their feelings when life isn’t going too well. She also states how some teens just grew up in a household with drugs .
These reasons why teens do drugs aren’t excuses, but they are possible reasons.
“Some drugs are normalized by the teen parent, I don't think this makes them a bad parent, but I do believe allowing and enhancing are two different things,” said Jones.
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