NCJ Number
202367
Date Published
1999
Length
35 pages
Annotation
This document reports on various drugs, tobacco, alcohol, and school safety.
Abstract
There is an increase in instances of methamphetamine trafficking in the United States. The drug is having a devastating impact on communities across the Nation. Clandestine production accounts for nearly all of the methamphetamine trafficked and abused. Household products contain most of the necessary chemicals to complete the manufacturing process of methamphetamine. Methamphetamine can be lethal, dangerous, and unpredictable. It can be smoked, snorted, injected, or taken orally. The most frequent method of use is injection. MDMA (also known as ecstasy) abuse is also on the rise. MDMA is considered a designer drug - a substance on the drug market that is a chemical analogue or variation of another psychoactive drug. Khat has been brought into the United States and other countries by emigrants from the source countries of East Africa and Southern Arabia. It contains a number of chemicals among which are two controlled substances. Chewed in moderation, khat alleviates fatigue and reduces appetite. PCP, LSD, amphetamines, ritalin, methcathinone, barbituates, depressants, opium, opium poppy, Mexican tar heroin, cocaine, hallucinogens, psilocybin mushrooms, marijuana, hashish, GHB, ketamine, and rohypnol are also described. Nearly 3 million thefts and violent crimes occur on or near school grounds every year. One in 11 students reported being a crime victim at school. Schools must have a policy regarding discipline and conduct, set reasonable limits, report unusual activity on school property, and provide a means for students to make anonymous reports. The warning signs to predict behavior that will lead to student violence include students that are loners, uncontrolled anger, drugs and alcohol, and threats. Schools should set a “No Gang” policy. Notification procedures, search procedures, securing the crime scene, and evacuation should all be implemented in the case of bomb threats. Students should know school policy regarding sexual harassment. The teens most likely to become pregnant are those that have low school grades, low educational goals, and a tendency toward truancy.