BY MAIRE O’NEILL
maire@losalamosreporter.com
Los Alamos High School Administration reached out in an email sent to parents Wednesday afternoon in response to an April 30 press release sent to local media by the Los Alamos Police Department “regarding illicit drugs and paraphernalia that have been found in the community in areas frequented by youth”.
LAHS Principal Renee Dunwoody said in the email that as end of the school year and summer break are fast approaching, the administration wanted to remind parents, and the school community as a whole “to always remain vigilant regarding the risks to our youth from drugs and alcohol”.
“Although we were pleased that the recent wastewater testing at Los Alamos High School did not reveal some of the substances that were found in other parts of the state (https://www.governor.state.nm.us/wastewater-testing/), we have had instances throughout the school year where drugs and alcohol have been found on campus, including nicotine, THC, and methamphetamine,” Dunwoody said. “Although we have not confiscated cocaine on campus this year, we have heard reports of possible use by students outside of school”.
Acknowledging that conversations with teens can sometimes be challenging, Dunwoody listed the following resources to assist families in having such conversations:
On Responsibility Videos including talking about Anxiety, Nutrition, Mental Health, and Transitioning from High School
“Communication is key to prevention.” On Responsibility: Talking to Kids about Risky Behaviors with Dr. Katie Friedman
SAMHSA’s “Talk. They Hear You.” Campaign
Talking Cannabis, The Importance of Communication – excellent tips and sample conversations, especially for when things get tough, a teen is already using, you have a history of drug use
Helpful Tips from the Madison Chatham Coalition
“If you have concerns about a student that might be in need of assistance, please contact your school administrator, your school counseling department, or make an anonymous report through the See Something, Say Something tip system. Every report is taken seriously,” the email said.