School directors across Canada have a “substantial time” managing the consumption of student substances, but do not have the resources to respond effectively, according to a new survey led by a research initiative based on UBC called Wellstream.
The study have found that there is an urgent need for strategies aligned on evidence due to the complexity of the growing question of consumption of substances in educational environments.
The author, the Dr. Emily Jenkins, an associate teacher at the School of Nursing of the UBC, said that he started to seek what was going on after having realized that an abstinence message to the use of substances did not work.
“We now have decades of research that show that these types of approaches that are punitive are not only ineffective, but can cause damage,” said Jenkins.
“They can cause school disengagement. They are associated with a greater probability of consumption of substances, with the consumption of problematic substances later in life. »»
Jenkins said that he has found that more directors spent more time approaching the consumption of substances in their schools in the past year compared to the previous year.
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“The prevention of damage to the consumption of substances in children and young people requires a complete strategy that recognizes the multifaceted nature of this problem. Given that, “let’s say no” does not cut it, “she added.
The investigation collected information from 204 school directors, vice-principe and school leaders, and noted that vaping is the most widespread problem linked to the substance, despite continuous prevention efforts.
“What we have heard is that, you know, the landscape of substance consumption for young people changes, and they find it difficult to follow it,” said Jenkins.
“Sixty-four percent indicated that vaping was an important challenge in their schools. And they lack clear advice and a coordinated approach to solve this problem. »»
Jenkins said that she had heard that many vaping products were aggressively marketed with young people, but that they are not only the products they are in the grip.
They also cited concerns about students consuming cannabis, tobacco and nicotine products, caffeine, energy drinks and alcohol on school property.
Jenkins said school officials asked for help to deal with these problems.
“There have been urgent calls from across the country, but just in the past two weeks, the BC School Trustees Association, they have made a call to (a) a coordinated and aligned approach to evidence to support their membership,” she said.
“We are working as a wellstream research to develop national standards, which will offer advice to educators across the country.”
Jenkins said that if provincial governments should work with educators to provide guiding policies, there must be a coordinated response across the country to “ensure that there are clear, accessible and necessary advice that respond to the realities of the education system”.
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