Up in Smoke: Substance use and abuse at Topeka High School

One in 16 students wake up each morning and reach for a bottle — and it’s not full of water. Some reach for a bottle of alcohol, a bottle of pills, or even a mason jar full of marijuana. That’s approximately 100+ Trojans.

Studies by both the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the University of Michigan have shown teenage drug use may be on a decline, however, it’s no surprise students use. With stigmas changing around marijuana use and an incline in synthetic drug use nationwide, the topic of teenage substance use more is prevalent now than ever.

Over the past few weeks — after putting together a drug use survey which garnered 500+ responses, talking to healthcare professionals and students — The World has been able to take an in-depth look at drug use at Topeka High School.