Education termed best way to combat drug use

If young people had a better attitude about themselves, using drugs would not be such a major concern, local school officials theorize.      "Self-worth is the root of the whole problem," Jerry Tittle, director of Student Assistance for the Sulphur Springs school district, said.      "Kids know what using drugs will do. Still they go out there and do it to try to change themselves." Education and letting the youths know that he cares are primary goals for Tittle-goals that are reinforced by administrators and school board members.      "People that deal with drug abuse have to be very flexible and understanding and they have to put their arms around those kids and show that they care for them," Judy Gilreath, a local school board member and long-time advocate for drug abuse programs, said.      "You have to have those qualities to help those kids. Tittle's got all those qualities."

"Self-worth is the root of the whole problem," Jerry Tittle, director of Student Assistance for the Sulphur Springs school district, said.

The kids at Sulphur Springs High School respond to Tittle's friendliness and helping hand and confirm that he has the qualities Gilreath describes. "I've noticed this year," he said, "that kids-kids come to me. There's a trust."      During an hour's time on a bustling Friday afternoon, students took time out from changing classes and heading toward a pep rally to say hi, tell him that they worked things out with a friend or ask if they could talk to him later.

With every hello, Tittle reconfirmed his open door policy, letting the kids know he cares through eye contact and verbally reassuring that he is there if they need him.      His office door is always open, whether he's there or not. And, he welcomes notes left on his desk-there's a pad lying there just for that purpose. That policy extends beyond the ninth through 12th grade campus. "Call me at home this weekend if you need anything," he told one young man whose despairing look hinted at a deeper problem.      The Student Assistance program aids not only drug abusers but those wrestling with whether to experiment with the illegal substances or not. The program assists students coping with other dependencies or everyday problems.      Support groups for those students who have used drugs and want to stay away from them are in place, and students give testimonials to younger youths in an effort to keep them "clean."      "Really, education is probably the strongest tool we have to fight this thing," Tittle said. "Through education, we're trying to build self esteem."

Peer pressure combined with the lack of self worth makes a turn toward drugs even more sensible in some youths' eyes, Gilreath said.      "Kids want to be accepted," she said. "They want to be a part of a group. Peer pressure is very strong. Some kids aren't strong enough to say no.      "They can't cope. It's an escape. They're trying to constantly be in another world. They need constant reinforcement: 'You've got to feel good about yourself. The answer is in you and how you learn to deal with the world around you.'"      Gilreath sums up the problem: "Drug abuse is hell." The newest development in the effort to help the children of the Sulphur Springs Independent School District is gathering data about what role drugs play in students' lives.      Gilreath, Tittle and Superintendent Danny Durham agree that the problem is not well-defined as far as the actual amount of drugs present on the campuses. However, all said they believe drug transactions are not occurring during school hours.

Common sense says, ''Yes, we probably have students abusing drugs.''

"The contacts might be made during school hours but I think the exchanges are made off campus," Tittle said.      Durham espouses a goal of changing behaviors to alter the drug problem, which officials say is not confined to any one region or type of student. "Common sense says, 'Yes, we probably have students abusing drugs.'"      But Durham said he sees the problem as a societal dilemma. "Schools mirror society.... Probably the only way to change it is to change society."      Durham said he believes that if the on-campus situation was widespread, the teachers and administrators would know. "School officials and school teachers are aware of the symptoms of drug abuse and other kinds of abuse."      Gilreath said she and other members of the school board are committed to continuing the evolution of drug abuse programs. "We have to be constantly aware that drug abuse exists and keep our minds open to new ideas to help the kids.      "There is no answer. There is no pat answer. We must constantly evaluate and strive to create the best program possible. We have to recognize that drug abuse education is constantly evolving."

Published: 10/9/88 ~ Publication: News-Telegram ~ Written Under: Karla S. Ware contact information: info@kwsartin.com © kwsartin 2002

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