Will Social Distancing Lead to Teen Substance Abuse Spike?

June 17, 2020

During this indefinite period of social distancing many families are already struggling with challenges related to health, finances, and isolation. Now that many students are entering their fourth month of being academically and physically homebound, another potential threat is on the horizon: how teens respond to the stress building up around and inside of them.

As Florida International University recently reported:

The coronavirus outbreak has been a stressful situation for many, which may drive people, including children and teens, to use substances like alcohol or tobacco products in order to cope.

Recent data has shown that people sheltering at home from coronavirus reported significantly higher rates of negative mental health effects relating to worry or stress, compared to those not in social isolation. These effects may be pronounced in households with adolescents, as this group is at a higher risk for mental illnesses such as depression, and do not have the same access to key mental health services during this time.

Here in Maryland, various resources exist to support those struggling with substance abuse.

In the context of school safety, Safe Schools Maryland is a 24-7-365 resource to report anonymously threats to the safety of schools and students; therefore, if you know of a peer struggling with a non-emergency challenge that could put the peer or others in danger, make sure to report the what you know using the anonymous reporting system, which is available by downloading the app (Google Play Store | Apple App Store), completing the web form (click here), or by calling 1-833-MD-B-SAFE / 1-833-632-7233. For emergencies, always call 9-1-1.

Remember, even over the long hot summer, Safe Schools Maryland remains fully operations and is just one more resource available to keep our students and our schools safe.

An Introduction to SROs in Maryland

June 15, 2020

The topic of police in schools is currently in the news. Below, please find introductory information about the nature of work conducted by School Resource Officers (SROs) in the State of Maryland. Those honored to carry the title SRO in Maryland benefit from holistic education and training specific to the unique, important, and varied roles that SROs fulfill in Maryland’s twenty-four diverse local school systems. 

●  The Safe to Learn Act of 2018 mandates either the assignment of an SRO or adequate law enforcement coverage for each individual school within each of Maryland’s twenty-four local school systems.

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