STUDENT PERSPECTIVES
High school students from Riverside County schools contributed feedback for the substance use prevention toolkit. While primarily intended for school staff, it’s crucial to incorporate student voices as they will be directly affected. Feedback was gathered during overdose prevention trainings and tabling events hosted by RUHS-Public Health. Around 200 students completed an online survey, with approximately 160 providing feedback during on-campus tabling events.
Students expressed a desire for more campus activities to raise awareness about substance use and prevention, including assemblies, rallies, lunchtime events, spirit weeks, and informative posters/flyers. They emphasized the importance of making these activities fun, engaging, informative, and offering incentives. Additionally, they suggested inviting speakers with personal experience.
Students highlighted the presence of drugs on campus, particularly in bathrooms, and attributed substance use to stress, anxiety, and other life challenges. They seek support without punitive measures, advocating for non-judgmental connections and access to resources.
In terms of building resilience, students proposed increased awareness of resources, stress relief activities, mental health check-ins, and the creation of safe spaces like calm rooms for reducing anxiety and stress. They also recommended heightened security and monitoring in areas prone to substance use.
HIGHLIGHTS
What would you like to see on campus for substance use prevention activities?
"I would like to see activities warning teens about drugs and then offering support to who needs it."
"I think they should give out different stress relieving objects because it can help them with anxiety and maybe have some activities where you pick 2 people and say something good."
What do you want your school staff/administration to know about substance use among students?
"I want them to know that students tend to suffer in silence."
"If the goal is to prevent substance use, they should take an approach that will actually connect with students."
"Being judgmental won’t help."
"It’s not easy to stop (drug use)."
"People use because of school stress...family issues...depression..."
Do you think your school does a good job of addressing or preventing substance use?
