Drugs. A big word that is hung over the heads of adolescence, an ultimate evil. It’s associated with the thoughts of criminals, death, and everybody knows only bad people do drugs. With so much bad news there never seems to be asked the question why, how does it happen?

First of all, what are drugs? It seems like a common phrase but drugs are much more than just common names like weed and cocaine. Defined a drug is any chemical substance that when consumed causes a change in an organism’s

physiology, including its psychology, if applicable.  This even includes things like caffeine, alcohol, and sugar. Of course some substances are worse than others, but have you ever stopped to wonder why?

Cocaine: Highly addictive, is involved with 1 of 5 overdose deaths; health effects include bowel decay, asthma, and even increased risk of  HIV.

Meth: Health effects can be truly devastating with reports of overdose death on one’s first try. Chronic users can experience paranoia, aggression and insomnia.

Marijuana: Weed in short is especially relevant in WA due to its legality. Though still linked to negative health rises on its own, nowadays you have to be very careful on where you get this substance due to some cases it being laced with fentanyl.

Student/Teacher Interviews

Student:

• Question 1: Do you know anyone who has used marijuana?

Answers: Unanimous yes

• Question 2:  What do you think of when you hear the word drug?

Answers: Students think of Medication, Addiction, Street drugs, and crack.

• Question 3: How has marijuana affected your life as a student at LHS?

Answers: Most students we interviewed stated that it has not affected them educationally besides one account where they said it negatively affects bathroom culture as it is being used in the stalls.

• Question 4: if you could say something to a person wanting to try marijuana what would you say?

Answers: the answers vary from waiting till you’re older and just be safe/smart.

Teacher:

• Question 1: Do you know anyone who has used marijuana?

Answers:  Unanimous yes

• Question 2:  What do you think of when you hear the word drug?

Answers: These include, Fear, danger,  brain altering, problematic, and types.

• Question 3: How has marijuana affected your life as a teacher at LHS?

Answers: a common answer amongst teachers was having to deal with students coming to class under the influence of Marijuana and being unmotivated to participate.

• Question 4: if you could say something to a person wanting to try marijuana what would you say?

Answers: Answers vary from to not start at all, “ Life is better natural”, wait till you are 21, and a wary warning “ once you make this decision you can never take it back”.

lhsegalitarian.com

Written/Edited by: Sophia Beaird & Selena Duran