If a student is caught with an illegal substance or alcohol, it is grounds for immediate dismissal in most cases. In most schools that's how the issue is treated. Students who are having emotional difficulties, or who suffer from bulimia or anorexia, or who are having problems at home, are also at risk. It doesn't take much for a teen to allow things to spiral out of control. AIDS, date rape, sexual harassment, stress management, sleep disorders are examples of issues which confront teens constantly. A school simply cannot afford to ignore them.
Well-established schools have always had the resources to manage whatever issues come along. While there have been times when they chose not to deal with issues, a lack of resources was not the reason why they have refused so to do. But what about the smaller or newer schools? They don't have huge endowments in place to give them the freedom and flexibility to establish and fund student services programs. What are they to do? Fortunately they have the examples set by many top schools and can emulate the philosophy, if not the proactive approach. Let's see what two schools have done.
A Positive, Proactive Approach
A few schools have taken a positive, proactive approach to substance abuse. Like many enlightened businesses, these schools have taken the view that a student who admits or thinks she has a problem should be given the skilled help and treatment which she deserves. In other words, the approach is to give the students avenues for help and assistance with their problems.
For example, here's how Exeter Academy's L.E.A.D. program works: "Leaders at Exeter Abstaining from Drugs is a service organization whose mission is to recognize and support those many students on campus who have made the decision to be alcohol and drug free. Our organization meets regularly to discuss issues related to alcohol and other drug use, to plan and implement awareness programs both on campus and in the community at large, and to design social events where the focus is fun without alcohol and drugs. Most importantly of all, our members are role models thriving at Exeter alcohol and drug free." At Exeter students know that they can turn to the school for help with a problem before it mushrooms out of control and causes serious consequences. The child who is distraught because he has just found out that his parents are divorcing can seek the immediate and ongoing counseling and support which he needs. The 18 year old who discovers that he has a substance abuse problem can deal with the problem before it gets him kicked out of the Academy. The girl who thinks she might be a lesbian has skilled professionals to whom she can turn for informed advice. And so on.
A Tight Safety Net
Another approach is to create a redundant safety net. Here's how Phillips Academy Andover describes its program: "Over a number of years, Phillips Academy has been developing programs and adopting services and practices that seek to address the needs of the developing adolescent. Today's teen-agers find themselves stressed on a number of fronts. Often peer pressure and popular culture influences them to be sexually active, to drink alcohol or to use drugs." The objective is simple: PA wants to make sure that not one child falls through the cracks while at the Academy.
What impresses me is that both schools have adopted enlightened approaches in dealing with common teen issues. They don't just wag their fingers and say "If you do this, you will be disciplined." Rather they say, "We know that you can have issues which you need to deal with. Here's the help which we expect you to seek should the need arise." It's exactly the sort of approach any concerned, involved parent takes in dealing with adolescent children. We know that they are going to have to deal with some tough choices, so we make sure that the lines of communication are solidly and constantly open.
What is your school doing? Is its approach to teen issues proactive? Enlightened? If you don't know the answers to these questions, make it your business to find out. If you are a trustee, making sure that your school has policies and programs in place is essential.
