WALTON High-School in East-Cobb and Drugs! Truth needed. (Atlanta, Dunwoody: condo, neighborhood)

[syracusa]

Originally Posted by Aub1976

This is a silly topic. Drugs are in EVERY highschool, even the Private boarding military schools that test for drugs every Monday. I know this because I went to both... Also as a former student of Walton and resident of East Cobb, I can say that East Cobb is one of the safest and most secure places I have ever lived in my entire life.

At least this is nice to hear, as we have no other option in the Atlanta area considering our interlocking criteria of "top school district", "good access to work" and "proximity to urban area".

We are definitely far from high-school-related worries right now but when you decide to buy, you need to buy with such things in mind.

[NewHouseInAtlanta]

Isn't there a problem with drugs at Woodward Academy?

[DTL3000]

Originally Posted by Mattie

The most restrictive environments are prisons, and even they have issues with smuggled contraband. I taught my kids to keep their eyes on their goals, and not to fall into alcohol and drug traps. They are in college and successful.

I would think a big high school actually helps here. There may be a drug culture, but there are also many kids who stay far away from it, and those are the kids you want yours associating with.

Otherwise, convents and seminaries may be the only options.

I also think being in a decent urban or suburban area helps too. There are usually plenty of activities for kids to get involved in. I went to a podunk school where if you weren't an athlete(I was chubby and slow at the time), in band(I was in a band, not BAND) or involved in a church youth group there was absolutely nothing to do but get trashed on the weekends somewhere out in the middle of the woods. I idolized my brother who's about 6 years older than me and he didn't exactly set a great example. I managed to coast through school with pretty decent grades but if I went back in time and met my 15 year old self I would give myself a stern talking to.

[lastminutemom]

Originally Posted by DTL3000

I also think being in a decent urban or suburban area helps too. There are usually plenty of activities for kids to get involved in. I went to a podunk school where if you weren't an athlete(I was chubby and slow at the time), in band(I was in a band, not BAND) or involved in a church youth group there was absolutely nothing to do but get trashed on the weekends somewhere out in the middle of the woods. I idolized my brother who's about 6 years older than me and he didn't exactly set a great example. I managed to coast through school with pretty decent grades but if I went back in time and met my 15 year old self I would give myself a stern talking to.

This.

But if a kid can't find their niche in high school, it makes it harder. That is why I think big high schools can be good because they offer so much.

Drugs are absolutely everywhere, even the Catholic schools. (Sex too, I am afraid.)

But as a parent how you raise your children and what expectations you set, goes a long way in what your kids do.

[tonygeorgia]

Remember what you did in HS, well your kids will be doing the same thing

[green_mariner]

Originally Posted by rcsteiner

No, your first sentence doesn't follow. Many drugs are inexpensive enough that at least some kids at a given school will be able to afford them. Probably most.

My parents kept me busy enough that I had very little social life during junior high and high school (my Dad's use of the phrase "you can't drive until you can pay for your own auto insurance" was a very good motivator, so I had a paper route and then a part-time job), but I personally wasn't all that interested in drugs anyway.

Trust your kids. Teach them right from wrong. Stay involved. If they want to use the stuff, there isn't much you're going to be able to do about it anyway, but at least you'll be in the loop and (hopefully) able to see any problems before they get too serious.

For most kids, it's just a curiosity thing. Or boredom.

Similar thing with me. I never drove in high school. I never really held a job while in high school. What kept me away from drugs was years of teachers telling me "just say no"(I was born during the crack epidemic). I can only guess my parents would have flipped out if I had been using drugs.

If there was any time I would have used drugs, it would have been the first semester of my freshman year and/or the first semester of my sophomore year. I had so much time on my hands, little to do, I was trying to fit in somwhere. Eventually I ran track. Running track and cross country kept me busy. Homework kept me busy.

Another thing with me is that compared to the rest of the high school population, I was somewhat "sheltered" in some ways. I only saw "drugs" in pictures. I didn't even know where to get pornographic magazines as I assumed I couldn't get them. My social life was unique. I didn't live in some rich, suburban area. I lived in Paulding County, about a 45 minute drive from Alabama. I suspect there is alot of meth out there. Speaking with people who graduated from my high school years earlier, I was told of the drugs and drinking that existed in the high school. Thing is, I never knew where to get the drugs. I never knew who to get them from. I was out of the loop to the point to where I didn't know who was using drugs either. I wasn't in the popular crowds. I drifted about and did my own thing. That pretty much kept me away from drugs. Being somewhat socially isolated kept me from the drugs.

[syracusa]

Originally Posted by tonygeorgia

Remember what you did in HS, well your kids will be doing the same thing

I could only dream of that. I grew up in a communist country, drowning myself in books and having philosophical conversations with best friend.
That's what I did in HS.

[kaday]

Originally Posted by syracusa

I could only dream of that. I grew up in a communist country, drowning myself in books and having philosophical conversations with best friend.
That's what I did in HS.

You know your experience probably served you well in life. Drugs are everywhere, every school, every type of school. Stay invloved in your kids lives academically and socially. There is a reason why I am mockingly called a "volunteerista". I'm present as much as I can be. Find your kids a niche...chorus, swim team whatever. Make sure they have strong self esteem so they have the courage and resolve to say no when the time comes. It's all we can do as parents.

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by kaday

You know your experience probably served you well in life. Drugs are everywhere, every school, every type of school. Stay invloved in your kids lives academically and socially. There is a reason why I am mockingly called a "volunteerista". I'm present as much as I can be. Find your kids a niche...chorus, swim team whatever. Make sure they have strong self esteem so they have the courage and resolve to say no when the time comes. It's all we can do as parents.

Amen.

[syracusa]

Originally Posted by kaday

You know your experience probably served you well in life. Drugs are everywhere, every school, every type of school. Stay invloved in your kids lives academically and socially. There is a reason why I am mockingly called a "volunteerista". I'm present as much as I can be. Find your kids a niche...chorus, swim team whatever. Make sure they have strong self esteem so they have the courage and resolve to say no when the time comes. It's all we can do as parents.

Dear kayday,

I'll pm am you one of these days especially that we are in the process of moving somewhere in your area. Maybe you can teach me more about this "volunteerista" career, not that I would be able to take up something like that; but I am really curious as to what exactly volunteerista moms do.