Drug use has become an unsettling reality in Santa Ana schools, with students as young as 11 years old gaining access to pills, alcohol and vaping products that often go unnoticed by parents and adults. This brings awareness to the need for more resources and program implementation within our schools and community.
Substance use among teens in Santa Ana is no longer hidden behind closed doors, it’s present in classrooms, bathrooms and even during lunch breaks. Easy access to pills, flavored vapes and alcohol, mixed with the pressure to fit in and little guidance, has left many students at risk. Families often remain unaware, and when help is available, fear or judgement keeps students from reaching out.
Students from the SAUSD High Schools were interviewed for this article, and to respect their rights to privacy they will remain anonymous and referred to as Student 1 or Student 2…