Parents Want CMS To Make Drug & Alcohol Prevention A Priority

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by FOX Charlotte

Story Created: Jan 11, 2013 at 9:49 PM EDT

Story Updated: Jan 12, 2013 at 8:34 PM EDT

CHARLOTTE, NC- Some CMS parents are frustrated and say drug and alcohol prevention is not a priority in their kid's schools.

The latest CMS Youth Drug Survey found that about 20 percent of high schoolers smoked pot within 30 days of the survey and 25 percent admitted to drinking alcohol.

With both those numbers up from 2008, parents and community members say the schools aren't doing enough .

"I am surprised by the amount of students that use drugs," said Julie Dominique, a CMS parent.

With two teens to worry about Julie Dominique says she wants CMS to make drug and alcohol prevention a top priority.

"I really believe that some students want help and they don't know where to go. Parents don't know where to go," said Dominique.

The number of substance abuse counselors in CMS has dropped from 10 to four over the last five years.

And health education stops in the ninth grade.

"The biggest problem we're having in CMS right now is our 10th through 12th graders," said Kim Matone, with Charlotte Mecklenburg Drug Free Coalition.

Parents and drug-free coalition members say prevention is key. They want drug and alcohol prevention programs in elementary schools to stop the problem before it starts.

"Mainly we want to get it for every single student in CMS; not just at-risk kids, not kids who have already abused drugs,” said Matone.

But CMS says budget cuts and teacher lay-offs have forced the district to prioritize—Academics first.

"Some of the health topics may have taken a back seat. We're working very hard to get those back into the curriculum," said Deb Kaclick, CMS Director of Arts Health and Physical Education.

For what's to come...

"I don't think we've seen the likes of what we're going to get out of the loss of all this funding years from now. I think we're just seeing the tip of the iceberg now," said Kaclick.

The Charlotte Mecklenburg Drug Free Coalition is encouraging parents to attend the CMS Board of Educatopm meeting on February 12.

Petition to CMS Board: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/petition-to-cms-board-of-education-from-concerned/

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