Emily Shea & Ariana Serventi both ’15 | Staff Writers

**names in this story have been changed to protect the anonymous.

Noticing a decrease in drug-related illegal activity in Grosse Pointe Park, Captain David P. Loch said residents in the park have been less prone to using drugs.

“I think education has attributed greatly to this downward trend,” Loch said. “Kids are realizing drugs can prevent them from college or other school privileges.”

By Loch’s definition, drugs include both marijuana and alcohol, he said. Abusing these substances can lead to athletic repercussions, suspensions, and court appearances and convictions that often deter students from using drugs.

“These events have to be told to a college or university’s admissions and I think that scares students,” Loch said. “This realization is what I think is causing the hard numbers of drug abuse to be lower.”

Educating young people on the dangers of drug use is most important, Loch said. It is the responsibility of the parents and adult community members to model good behavior.

“An open forum between the young person, student, or child to make sure treatment or counseling is available,” Loch said.

Some students see drugs as a method for relaxation rather than dangerous illegal activity.

[quote_center]“I think students, including myself, feel that after a long week of school that relaxing and just having a good time after a stressful week is important,” said South student Peter Elway*.[/quote_center]

Although students agree that it is important to relieve stress through the use of drugs, South’s social worker Doug Roby said is not a good way to do so.

“When a student involves themselves in behavior such as the use of drugs and alcohol, it can lead to further illegal activities,” Roby said.

Kids hear it time and time again to keep themselves surrounded by positive people, yet Elway said just because some students may be involved in bad behavior, does not mean they are bad people.

“I think parents and other adults have the wrong idea of some kids,” Elway said. “What they don’t know is that their child could just as easily be involved in illegal activities.”

It is not necessarily a problem at South, Elway said. Although high school students are notorious  for drinking and using drugs, this doesn’t apply to all students.

But if a student does think they have problem with drugs or alcohol, the key thing is asking for help, Roby said.

[quote_center]“With each person I meet with, we look at the choices they are making and how it impacts their life,” Roby said.[/quote_center]

Students who outreach for help will not be penalized, Loch said. If a young person admits to addiction and asks for assistance it is important for them to receive treatment.

“If it becomes a problem, individuals should reach out for help and evaluate how their choices can affect the rest of their life. It’s hard to fully understand how something will impact your life in the moment,”Elway said. “You are not thinking about the consequences of something when you are doing it, but after, reality can catch up.”