Smoking Pot Question from Naive Parent

[Anonymous]

One reason we sent our son to an independent school was that we wanted him to be in a more sheltered and controlled environment, hoping that issues like bullying and drug usage would be nipped in the bud. But as I've been reading through other threads on the independent school forum, it does appear that smoking pot (and maybe even dealing?) happen with some frequency even in the private school setting. Maybe no more than at the public schools, but certainly no less.

If you have a high schooler in one of the DC independent school, do you have a sense of whether this is a true problem, or just isolated incidents which are highly publicized or gossiped about simply because it occurs at a DC private school? In other words, do you know whether your kid or any in his/he social circle is actually smoking pot, whether experimenting or abusing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One reason we sent our son to an independent school was that we wanted him to be in a more sheltered and controlled environment, hoping that issues like bullying and drug usage would be nipped in the bud. But as I've been reading through other threads on the independent school forum, it does appear that smoking pot (and maybe even dealing?) happen with some frequency even in the private school setting. Maybe no more than at the public schools, but certainly no less.

If you have a high schooler in one of the DC independent school, do you have a sense of whether this is a true problem, or just isolated incidents which are highly publicized or gossiped about simply because it occurs at a DC private school? In other words, do you know whether your kid or any in his/he social circle is actually smoking pot, whether experimenting or abusing?

It is a big issue, not isolated. Both in public and private schools. The article below will give you a good snapshot into what is going on.

http://www.bethesdamagazine.com/Bethesda-Magazine/September-October-2012/Wasted-Youth/



"Area students who were informally surveyed estimate that 80 percent of their junior and senior classmates drink and/or smoke weed. “Even the smart kids,” one Walter Johnson senior says. “Especially the smart kids,” another adds.

Boys generally prefer beer, and girls vodka (not as many calories or carbs), though “whatever’s there all gets consumed,” says a senior from St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in Potomac. Most of his friends prefer marijuana. “You don’t get hung over,” he says. “And if the cops come, you blow a .00 because you haven’t been drinking.” It’s also “unbelievably easy” to get at most local high schools."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One reason we sent our son to an independent school was that we wanted him to be in a more sheltered and controlled environment, hoping that issues like bullying and drug usage would be nipped in the bud. But as I've been reading through other threads on the independent school forum, it does appear that smoking pot (and maybe even dealing?) happen with some frequency even in the private school setting. Maybe no more than at the public schools, but certainly no less.

If you have a high schooler in one of the DC independent school, do you have a sense of whether this is a true problem, or just isolated incidents which are highly publicized or gossiped about simply because it occurs at a DC private school? In other words, do you know whether your kid or any in his/he social circle is actually smoking pot, whether experimenting or abusing?

I am sorry but seriously? So you think that paying $20k+ a year ensures that these things do not exist in your school? Did you go through life with blinders on? If anything, the kids are private school with access to more money from their parents will be able to but more drugs and alcohol than kids at public school. My public school friends were definitely not as involved with these things as the private school kids I knew is High school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One reason we sent our son to an independent school was that we wanted him to be in a more sheltered and controlled environment, hoping that issues like bullying and drug usage would be nipped in the bud. But as I've been reading through other threads on the independent school forum, it does appear that smoking pot (and maybe even dealing?) happen with some frequency even in the private school setting. Maybe no more than at the public schools, but certainly no less.

If you have a high schooler in one of the DC independent school, do you have a sense of whether this is a true problem, or just isolated incidents which are highly publicized or gossiped about simply because it occurs at a DC private school? In other words, do you know whether your kid or any in his/he social circle is actually smoking pot, whether experimenting or abusing?

I am sorry but seriously? So you think that paying $20k+ a year ensures that these things do not exist in your school? Did you go through life with blinders on? If anything, the kids are private school with access to more money from their parents will be able to but more drugs and alcohol than kids at public school. My public school friends were definitely not as involved with these things as the private school kids I knew is High school.

I could have written this post. Do not kid yourself, private school kids have access to drugs and alcohol.

[Anonymous]

It is incredibly naïve to think that you can shelter your DC entirely from drugs by putting them in private school and equally naïve to think that all schools are equal when it comes to drug and alcohol culture. Different schools have different cultures. Understanding that there are always exceptions, listen to what high school children think of the drug and alcohol culture at the area schools and you’ll get a decent idea of what is going on.

[Anonymous]

It's not like they're doing this at school so I don't think it matters if they're in public or private.

Many in this generation believe that smoking weed is less unhealthy than drinking alcohol, shooting heroin, snorting cocaine or being reliant on anti-depressants and Xanax.

DS went to a local independent, is in a top college science program now and he's done the research, tried the binge drinking and made the choice of occasional pot use instead. It made me upset at first but after hearing his research and reasoning, I've become a little more accepting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's not like they're doing this at school so I don't think it matters if they're in public or private.

Many in this generation believe that smoking weed is less unhealthy than drinking alcohol, shooting heroin, snorting cocaine or being reliant on anti-depressants and Xanax.

DS went to a local independent, is in a top college science program now and he's done the research, tried the binge drinking and made the choice of occasional pot use instead. It made me upset at first but after hearing his research and reasoning, I've become a little more accepting.

Wrong. Alot of times selling it is at school and smoking and drinking can occur at lunch breaks.

[Anonymous]

It's definitely the norm at private schools as much as public. Not sure why it would be otherwise.

[Anonymous]

It's not as much as public schools but there is a lot of weed and alcohol at every single private school in DC. Some schools lean slightly more toward drugs and some to alchohol. But all schools have significant amounts of drinking and drugs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's not as much as public schools but there is a lot of weed and alcohol at every single private school in DC. Some schools lean slightly more toward drugs and some to alchohol. But all schools have significant amounts of drinking and drugs.

Any proof for this? There is a lot of difference among public schools, just like among privates.

[Anonymous]

Buy a home drug test and test your kid. Simple.

[Anonymous]

I would say that it is just as likely that your kid will experiment with drugs and alcohol if he/she goes to private or public. A smaller private school may be more likely to have adults who notice and can intervene in a positive way with you and your kids. Basically though, it is your responsibility as a parent to deal with this issue.

[Anonymous]

There is no excuse for the school finding out about your kid smoking pot or drinking before you do. That means your kid is using drugs, holding drugs or trading drugs at school. Way too late. Even the most nurturing, liberal minded school is not going to try hugging the drugs out of your kid. He or she will be supspended or kicked out. Either way, the college record is permanently stained.

[Anonymous]

At private/independent schools, drugs and alcohol are much more prevalent. There is a coexisting achievement culture that mandates that many kids feel intense pressure to be able to cope with massive ingestion of drugs such as pot--while also keeping grades at a very high level. It is also this way at the more exclusive liberal arts colleges. In public school of course, there is still a fair amount of drug use--but contrary to what may be popularly believed--schools with higher percentages of middle class black families have lower incidences substance abuse. Substance abuse is really frowned upon by middle class blacks. It is a huge taboo. Especially for girls. Amongst the lower classes, it is much more accepted.

[Anonymous]

I attended both a public and independent high school. I'm sure things have changed somewhat since then, but generally, drugs and alcohol were equally prevalent among the public/private school crowds. The main difference was that in public school, there was always a group (or groups) who didn't care if their drug use interfered with their education and had no fear of failure or suspension. They would skip school regularly, smoke pot in the parking lot, etc. There was none of the "slacker" mentality at private school and everyone maintained a fear of getting caught.

Also, no one sold drugs at our private school. The private school kids had to buy drugs from public school kids.