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The purpose of the Safe and Drug Free Schools Department is to provide programs that prevent violence in and around schools; prevent the illegal use of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs; involve parents and community stakeholders; and coordinate with related federal, state, school, and community efforts and resources to foster a safe and drug-free learning environment that supports student academic achievement. Numerous studies have shown that students who do not feel safe and students who are not free of the effects of drugs and alcohol cannot achieve their full academic potential. Without a safe and orderly learning environment, teachers cannot teach and students cannot learn.
Staff
The District employs full-time substance abuse experts who provide services to students. Students served are those at risk for or involved in substance abuse. The Counseling & Postsecondary Readiness Department has an inter-agency agreement with the Fort Bend Regional Council on Substance Abuse, Inc. who provides services to students within the district.Substance Abuse Specialists
Parents have a difficult task when it comes to keeping their children safe and avoidingusing or abusing substances such as alcohol, marijuana or prescription drugs. In orderto assist parents, the FBISD Safe and Drug Free Schools Department has put togetherthe following:Signs and Symptoms of Substance Use or Abuse-
- Having or possessing drugs, alcohol or paraphernalia (items used in ingesting the drugs or alcohol). Holding for a friend is an excuse and manipulation by your child to deflect responsibility and blame others. It means they are hanging around those friends who use drugs or alcohol. As the old saying goes,” You are who you hang with."
- Smelling like marijuana smoke or alcohol. One of kids' favorite ways to cover up their use of substances is Visine for eye redness after using marijuana and mouthwash for alcohol use.
- Behavioral changes: withdrawal from family activities, meals, religious observances, not talking with you, change in friends, disrespectful, secretive actions, staying out late or dropping favorite activities. The trick for parents is to know what is developmentally appropriate and when it crosses the line to becoming problematic. Excuses for them, such as “He is just a teen” or “It is just a phase” can enable the child to get worse and quickly.
- Physical changes: red eyes, weight loss, frequent illness, poor hygiene, unusually tired, slurred speech and even unexplained injuries.
- Psychological change: moody, withdrawn, depressed, isolated, unmotivated, hyperactive, or angry.
- School changes: grades decline, tardy to class, truancy, discipline issues, teacher conflicts.
- Gets in trouble with the law for drugs or other illegal activity.
- Unable to account for the money you give them.
TalkLine “When you just need to talk”– 281-240-(TALK) 8255
TalkLine is a confidential helpline dedicated to the needs of FBISD secondary students providing students the opportunity to receive confidential help in a safe way. Students can also get information on social service referrals and other community assistance.
Top 5 reasons students call TalkLine:
1) Relationship issues such as: break ups, arguments, bullying, harassment, abuse or family problems
2) Basic human needs: food, clothing, shelter, unemployment issues
3) Mental Health concerns
4) Drug or Alcohol abuse
5) Depression/ Suicidal thoughts
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Vaping Resources For Parents
Fort Bend ISD Vaping Town Hall PSA & Presentation
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (NEW)
JUUL E-Cigarettes: A New Threat to Kids
The Facts About JUUL: E-Cigarettes
https://e-cigarettes.surgeongeneral.gov/
E-Cigarettes: What's the Bottom Line?
Talking to teens about alcohol
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Other Resources Drug Prevention Resources for Parents
Fentanyl - The TEA and HHSC have launched fentanyl awareness toolkits to assist school systems with educating their schools and communities on the growing dangers of this lethal opioid. For more information, please visit the TEA Fentanyl Response Communications Toolkit webpage and the HHSC Fighting Fentanyl webpage.
Partnership for Drug Free Kids: https://drugfree.org/
NIDA for Teens https://teens.drugabuse.gov
Marijuana Prevention Resources (updated)
Quit Smoking! http://www.yesquit.org/ 1-877-YESQUIT
Disclaimer: This organization and its activities are not related to or sponsored by Fort Bend
Independent School District.