Arlington Has A Drug Problem - From Middle School to High School to Our Community at Large

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Arlington Families - can we all just come together and work on a solution for the drug problem in our schools? I know that's an impossible task to do so through DCUM because everyone starts talking about race and Fairfax v. Arlington and other irrelevant things.

1) If you have no interest in Arlington (you live in Fairfax), then why are you even reading this thread? Nothing better to do? I don't care about Fairfax. We are discussing Arlington here.
2) Stop bringing up race - it doesn't matter if your family is PURPLE - this is not about race, this is about drugs.
3) Yorktown, Schmorktown, Williamsgerg, Planet Earth School - stop pointing fingers to which school. Who cares which school?

The problem is drugs in all schools throughout Arlington.

If we can't rationally come up with a solution to help the kids stay away from drugs, then that's a big problem.

Thought about it, but decided you aren't a very good self-appointed forum moderator.

1) Arlington posters invariably bring up Fairfax to deflect attention from APS's problems.

2) Rich white kids are more likely to engage in certain types of destructive behaviors.

3) Rich white kids are more likely to attend some schools in APS than others.

[Anonymous]

I think the main issues are:
- parents who think it's normal because that's what they did back in their day (I.e WI and OH posters above)
- parents who think their kid will be ostracized if they're not drinking etc
- parents who are not locking up their alcohol and drugs
- parents who want their kids to run with the cool crowd, and think their kids are above the law
- parents who do not monitor teen spending and phone use
- schools that are not cracking down on the problem on school property
- local businesses and neighbors who need to call police for any suspicious activities after school
- schools need to make kids aware that they will enforce the stiffest penalties available for drug and alcohol violations
- anonymous underage drinking tip line

[Anonymous]

The pearl clutching is impressive.
Do they have similar problems in countries with less restrictive drinking policies?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the main issues are:
- parents who think it's normal because that's what they did back in their day (I.e WI and OH posters above)
- parents who think their kid will be ostracized if they're not drinking etc
- parents who are not locking up their alcohol and drugs
- parents who want their kids to run with the cool crowd, and think their kids are above the law
- parents who do not monitor teen spending and phone use
- schools that are not cracking down on the problem on school property
- local businesses and neighbors who need to call police for any suspicious activities after school
- schools need to make kids aware that they will enforce the stiffest penalties available for drug and alcohol violations
- anonymous underage drinking tip line

I’m going to add:

-parents who bitch about a principal who is actually doing things to address the problem

[Anonymous]

To the PP from Fairfax criticizing Arlington, don't forget Loudoun Heroin epidemic. It was long ago it was being profiled in NPR or some other radio show. Just look up 'Loudoun County heroin highway' euphemism. Does the PP think that somehow being stuck in between Arlington and Loudoun helped Fairfax to escape this epidemic?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the main issues are:
- parents who think it's normal because that's what they did back in their day (I.e WI and OH posters above)
- parents who think their kid will be ostracized if they're not drinking etc
- parents who are not locking up their alcohol and drugs
- parents who want their kids to run with the cool crowd, and think their kids are above the law
- parents who do not monitor teen spending and phone use
- schools that are not cracking down on the problem on school property
- local businesses and neighbors who need to call police for any suspicious activities after school
- schools need to make kids aware that they will enforce the stiffest penalties available for drug and alcohol violations
- anonymous underage drinking tip line

I’m going to add:

-parents who bitch about a principal who is actually doing things to address the problem

I'll add another one, as one of the PPs who is from Arlington and went to the schools being discussed:
Parents who bail their kids out time after time. Let your irresponsible kid spend a night in jail for a DWI. Don't argue with a suspension if they get caught. If your kid destroys school property and is told they're not allowed to walk at graduation, don't bitch on social media about how "unfair" it is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To the PP from Fairfax criticizing Arlington, don't forget Loudoun Heroin epidemic. It was long ago it was being profiled in NPR or some other radio show. Just look up 'Loudoun County heroin highway' euphemism. Does the PP think that somehow being stuck in between Arlington and Loudoun helped Fairfax to escape this epidemic?

Why do you keep deflecting? It seems like you ought to be working with the resources in Arlington to address the problem in Arlington,

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To the PP from Fairfax criticizing Arlington, don't forget Loudoun Heroin epidemic. It was long ago it was being profiled in NPR or some other radio show. Just look up 'Loudoun County heroin highway' euphemism. Does the PP think that somehow being stuck in between Arlington and Loudoun helped Fairfax to escape this epidemic?

What was that?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/24/AR2009072402051.html

Heroin doesn't recognize county lines, pp. Don't be such a dumbass.

[Anonymous]

More thankful every day that we are zoned Wakefield.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:More thankful every day that we are zoned Wakefield.

This doesn't track. Do you think there aren't drug problems at Wakefield? Of course there are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the main issues are:
- parents who think it's normal because that's what they did back in their day (I.e WI and OH posters above)
- parents who think their kid will be ostracized if they're not drinking etc
- parents who are not locking up their alcohol and drugs
- parents who want their kids to run with the cool crowd, and think their kids are above the law
- parents who do not monitor teen spending and phone use
- schools that are not cracking down on the problem on school property
- local businesses and neighbors who need to call police for any suspicious activities after school
- schools need to make kids aware that they will enforce the stiffest penalties available for drug and alcohol violations
- anonymous underage drinking tip line

I’m going to add:

-parents who bitch about a principal who is actually doing things to address the problem

I'll add another one, as one of the PPs who is from Arlington and went to the schools being discussed:
Parents who bail their kids out time after time. Let your irresponsible kid spend a night in jail for a DWI. Don't argue with a suspension if they get caught. If your kid destroys school property and is told they're not allowed to walk at graduation, don't bitch on social media about how "unfair" it is.

All of the above. Frankly, I am absolutely appalled at the level of denial of the parents and their bashing as all other adults that bring it up as 'losers'.

Also--the drugs today are of a much stronger variety. The weed is cut with Fentanyl. This is not your "mother's weed".

I think Arlington is filled with dorks that live vicariously through their kids. They want them to be star athletes and 'popular' to fill some desire they never experienced.

I grew up locally and attended a Fairfax Co. HS. I was a younger sibling to the most popular kid in MS and HS. My sister and I were star athletes, class officers, straight A students, friends with everyone.

Yes--drinking and pot happened. For me, you were aware of the stoners but they were by no means common place and not openly toking. Drinking was not happening in Middle School---if it was kids were taking a sip here and there in 8th grade and giggling.

The level of abuse going on at WMS and, especially YHS, is unprecedented. The police know, the community knows, there are many good families with 'good' kids in rehab currently. There are many 'good kids and good families' quietly dealing with this due to stigma. It is always 'somebody else's kid".

I know from that area that there is a lot of minimal supervision of kids. Many were raised by nannies or parents that were so impressed by their kids and braggarts and have always given kids anything they wanted to fit in---here's a new iPhone 8 6th grader, etc.

I really am dumbfounded when I read these threads that there are still parents in complete denial. I have no idea what more they need to see or hear to ever acknowledge the extent of the problem. But, I do know that when the school is filled with parents like this, things are only going to get worse.

Today is a very different time than the 80s. We didn't have social media and all the other inherent social pressures kids do today. Kids are drawn to this escape even more and also have many more anxiety and depression issues. How any smart, intelligent parent can not recognize that is beyond me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:More thankful every day that we are zoned Wakefield.

Good luck, what with your head in the sand and all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the main issues are:
- parents who think it's normal because that's what they did back in their day (I.e WI and OH posters above)
- parents who think their kid will be ostracized if they're not drinking etc
- parents who are not locking up their alcohol and drugs
- parents who want their kids to run with the cool crowd, and think their kids are above the law
- parents who do not monitor teen spending and phone use
- schools that are not cracking down on the problem on school property
- local businesses and neighbors who need to call police for any suspicious activities after school
- schools need to make kids aware that they will enforce the stiffest penalties available for drug and alcohol violations
- anonymous underage drinking tip line

I’m going to add:

-parents who bitch about a principal who is actually doing things to address the problem

I'll add another one, as one of the PPs who is from Arlington and went to the schools being discussed:
Parents who bail their kids out time after time. Let your irresponsible kid spend a night in jail for a DWI. Don't argue with a suspension if they get caught. If your kid destroys school property and is told they're not allowed to walk at graduation, don't bitch on social media about how "unfair" it is.

All of the above. Frankly, I am absolutely appalled at the level of denial of the parents and their bashing as all other adults that bring it up as 'losers'.

Also--the drugs today are of a much stronger variety. The weed is cut with Fentanyl. This is not your "mother's weed".

I think Arlington is filled with dorks that live vicariously through their kids. They want them to be star athletes and 'popular' to fill some desire they never experienced.

I grew up locally and attended a Fairfax Co. HS. I was a younger sibling to the most popular kid in MS and HS. My sister and I were star athletes, class officers, straight A students, friends with everyone.

Yes--drinking and pot happened. For me, you were aware of the stoners but they were by no means common place and not openly toking. Drinking was not happening in Middle School---if it was kids were taking a sip here and there in 8th grade and giggling.

The level of abuse going on at WMS and, especially YHS, is unprecedented. The police know, the community knows, there are many good families with 'good' kids in rehab currently. There are many 'good kids and good families' quietly dealing with this due to stigma. It is always 'somebody else's kid".

I know from that area that there is a lot of minimal supervision of kids. Many were raised by nannies or parents that were so impressed by their kids and braggarts and have always given kids anything they wanted to fit in---here's a new iPhone 8 6th grader, etc.

I really am dumbfounded when I read these threads that there are still parents in complete denial. I have no idea what more they need to see or hear to ever acknowledge the extent of the problem. But, I do know that when the school is filled with parents like this, things are only going to get worse.

Today is a very different time than the 80s. We didn't have social media and all the other inherent social pressures kids do today. Kids are drawn to this escape even more and also have many more anxiety and depression issues. How any smart, intelligent parent can not recognize that is beyond me.

This + 1000. Also your kids have more virtual relationship than real ones these days. They may lack the skills to get their interpersonal needs met, as such drugs provides a great escape to counter those angst.
If you look at your teenager critically enough, you'll have to admit things a vastly different than when you were their age. Kids these days have no down time. That must have an effect on the brain. Technology is changing for the good, and bad of society. You do not know your kids friends all that well, they don't call your home, you're barely on first name basis of you kid's friends' parents. You don't know them as well as you think you do - they never look up from their phones. They live in a virtual world. We are all in this together. Parenting has never been a piece a cake, but now, I feel completely clueless, almost like an outside at times. I am not to proud to admit this, It's a scary experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the main issues are:
- parents who think it's normal because that's what they did back in their day (I.e WI and OH posters above)
- parents who think their kid will be ostracized if they're not drinking etc
- parents who are not locking up their alcohol and drugs
- parents who want their kids to run with the cool crowd, and think their kids are above the law
- parents who do not monitor teen spending and phone use
- schools that are not cracking down on the problem on school property
- local businesses and neighbors who need to call police for any suspicious activities after school
- schools need to make kids aware that they will enforce the stiffest penalties available for drug and alcohol violations
- anonymous underage drinking tip line

I’m going to add:

-parents who bitch about a principal who is actually doing things to address the problem

I'll add another one, as one of the PPs who is from Arlington and went to the schools being discussed:
Parents who bail their kids out time after time. Let your irresponsible kid spend a night in jail for a DWI. Don't argue with a suspension if they get caught. If your kid destroys school property and is told they're not allowed to walk at graduation, don't bitch on social media about how "unfair" it is.

All of the above. Frankly, I am absolutely appalled at the level of denial of the parents and their bashing as all other adults that bring it up as 'losers'.

Also--the drugs today are of a much stronger variety. The weed is cut with Fentanyl. This is not your "mother's weed".

I think Arlington is filled with dorks that live vicariously through their kids. They want them to be star athletes and 'popular' to fill some desire they never experienced.

I grew up locally and attended a Fairfax Co. HS. I was a younger sibling to the most popular kid in MS and HS. My sister and I were star athletes, class officers, straight A students, friends with everyone.

Yes--drinking and pot happened. For me, you were aware of the stoners but they were by no means common place and not openly toking. Drinking was not happening in Middle School---if it was kids were taking a sip here and there in 8th grade and giggling.

The level of abuse going on at WMS and, especially YHS, is unprecedented. The police know, the community knows, there are many good families with 'good' kids in rehab currently. There are many 'good kids and good families' quietly dealing with this due to stigma. It is always 'somebody else's kid".

I know from that area that there is a lot of minimal supervision of kids. Many were raised by nannies or parents that were so impressed by their kids and braggarts and have always given kids anything they wanted to fit in---here's a new iPhone 8 6th grader, etc.

I really am dumbfounded when I read these threads that there are still parents in complete denial. I have no idea what more they need to see or hear to ever acknowledge the extent of the problem. But, I do know that when the school is filled with parents like this, things are only going to get worse.

Today is a very different time than the 80s. We didn't have social media and all the other inherent social pressures kids do today. Kids are drawn to this escape even more and also have many more anxiety and depression issues. How any smart, intelligent parent can not recognize that is beyond me.

I live in Arlington and I completely agree with this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:


I think Arlington is filled with dorks that live vicariously through their kids. They want them to be star athletes and 'popular' to fill some desire they never experienced.

/quote]


Um, what?!? What a weird thing to say.