Statewide program helps keep drugs out of kid’s hands through education

An 11–year–old finding meth on the street and bringing it to Belmont Elementary to show her friends.

A 14-year-old at a Lincoln middle school with nearly five grams of marijuana.

A 15-year-old high schooler with four grams of an unknown illicit substance.

These cases and four others were reported just this week at Lincoln schools.

But it’s not ignored.

“We work with schools K–12 in Nebraska to help educate school officials on mental and behavior health trends as well as substance abuse,” Michaela Emmons, SCIP Coordinator said.

SCIP, or school community intervention and prevention helps educate parents and teachers on how to help kids struggling with substance abuse.

Hopefully before the drug has lifetime consequences.

“Their brain is still developing, their brain is very vulnerable and when your exposed to substances you change pathways in brain that could have life long affects,” Emmons said.

She said the most commonly abused drugs by juveniles is alcohol.

“We’ve been talking about marijuana and vaping and prescripting drugs but those are all still behind alcohol.”

She said the best line of defense for Lincoln kids are their parents or guardians.

‘You can make an impact to prevent substance abuse just by engaging in conversations with them, and those can be hard, but SCIP and schools are here to help you start these conversations,” she said.

To access resources on the SCIP website click here: https://scipnebraska.com/