High school creates drug tip texting program

By Staff Writer

According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, prescription abuse by teens exceeds marijuana use, and there are as many new abusers - age 12 and older - of pain relievers as there are for marijuana. As a result, a growing number of parents, law enforcement officials and school districts are seeking to curtail drug use.

For example, teen drug use has been a growing problem at West Linn High School in Oregon, according to news channel KGW. The principal recently made it his mission to tackle the issue publicly.

Last September, Principal Lou Bailey sent a letter to all parents and students about the drug problems.

This past week, students, parents and staff members had an opportunity to learn from addiction specialists that were brought to the school to discuss the problem, as prescription drugs have been a large part of the problem.

"These medications are available in your homes. We know that these medications are a gateway drug to heroin," Bailey said, quoted by the news source.

West Linn High School also created an anonymous Text a Tip Program, in which anyone can alert the school resource officer to drug issues.