drug prevention

According to a recently released report that links exposure to high-quality preschool programs to reduced crime, at-risk children and those from low-income backgrounds without access to quality early learning are more likely to be involved in violent crime, arrested, or incarcerated down the road.

Valley teenagers are turning to synthetic drugs that are widely available, as evidenced by last week’s incident at Mesa High School.

The key to eradicating crime and violent behavior, say organizers with the nonprofit Fight Crime: Invest in Kids Pennsylvania, is to invest more resources in early care and child education.

In school districts around the country children in grades as low as middle school are required to take a drug test before they can play sports or take part in drama or other extracurricular activities. Parental outrage has been swiftly followed by lawsuits, according to theNew York Times. States where middle schools conduct drug testing include Florida, Alabama, Missouri, West Virginia, Arkansas, Ohio, New Jersey and Texas.

Opening up a new avenue of investigation, authorities have found something even more disturbing in the home of a Santa Clara elementary school principal than methamphetamine and a date-rape drug—10 hidden cameras, including one tucked inside a Teddy bear.

Two schools districts in Oregon are among a growing number of districts nationwide using random drug tests in middle school.

Ore­gon’s Scio and Central Linn school districts are among a growing number of districts nationwide using random drug tests in middle school.