What can I do in this situation? (drug related)

I have a student in my class who came to me recently. Before this kid came to my class there have been no issues... Ever since last week, I started smelling a strong marijuana smell and it's very obviously coming from him!

I spoke to my AP about it a few times but she says there's nothing that can be done about it unless he is caught doing it at school. In the meantime, I am very sensitive to the smell to the point where I can't even walk near his table or I feel like I'm going to gag. It's disgusting that I have to go to work and smell this.. usually by the afternoon it dissipates but all morning it's pretty bad. Not only that, but we're TTC and it will make me feel very uncomfortable smelling that constantly while I'm pregnant!

Can I make a case against this?

Re: What can I do in this situation? (drug related)

Honestly--I am really now sure what you can do.

I think your AP is right. I think you MAY be able to search a student on suspicion but I am not really certain--and either way it sounds like she is not interested in doing that since you mentioned it and she said she would only do something if the student was caught smoking in school.

Sorry wish I could help more....

Re: What can I do in this situation? (drug related)

if this kid is a minor can you possibly call child protective services with the reasoning that the child is coming in smelling like drugs - pin it on parental neglect or something?!? I can't see ignoring it.

Re: What can I do in this situation? (drug related)

You can't just let this go if he shows signs of a drug problem. There was a kid in my school who was coming to school high and the principal would search him each morning before he came into the building. His mother knew and did nothing.

Have you been in touch with his parents? They need to know. Is there a counselor or social worker available?

Re: What can I do in this situation? (drug related)

Re: What can I do in this situation? (drug related)

I've been there. It's hard for you to do anything, because the kid can just claim that he was around "secondhand smoke" and that he wasn't doing anything wrong.

Try talking to one of the deans. When I worked in the City, the kids only responded to the authority of the deans (not teachers, guidance counselors, or teachers). At the very least, the deans will know to pay special attention to the kid cutting or coming to class late (because he's been out smoking) and can use it as an excuse to call him in and start a dialogue.

Re: What can I do in this situation? (drug related)

Re: What can I do in this situation? (drug related)

Posted by PennyCat

Posted by DavaDay

I've been there. It's hard for you to do anything, because the kid can just claim that he was around "secondhand smoke" and that he wasn't doing anything wrong.

Try talking to one of the deans. When I worked in the City, the kids only responded to the authority of the deans (not teachers, guidance counselors, or teachers). At the very least, the deans will know to pay special attention to the kid cutting or coming to class late (because he's been out smoking) and can use it as an excuse to call him in and start a dialogue.

Thanks.. Hes been late almost everyday and falls asleep in class alllll the time.. though it's mainly in the morning.

Is falling asleep something people do after smoking pot? I've never done it and actually know very little, other than the smell!

Re: What can I do in this situation? (drug related)

Have you tried speaking to the student? If you aren't getting the support you need from the school or the parents try to reason with the kid. Be selfish and tell him you are worried about your baby breathing it in and you would rather he didn't do it before your class. I know that might seem a little crazy but sometimes calling them out on something helps. Might guilt him enough to at least not do it before your class. Or it might scare him that you are going to get him in trouble. He doesn't know the school is useless! GOod luck.