As the student handbook states, in order for a student to graduate from Arrowhead, it is mandatory that the student takes a one semester health class at some point during their four year high school career. In this course, students learn about the different types of drugs, their effects, and where they come from, and hear real life stories.

Health class is a block class that is typically taken freshman year and each class is separated by gender.

Pete Freyer, Arrowhead’s resource officer, says, “I think that whenever there are controlled substances and alcohol being used in schools and by young people there is a problem. I continue to be optimistic that AHS does not have a bigger problem than any other school out there in America. We are, however, a big school, and any percentage of our students using is going to be a bigger actual number than other smaller schools.”

According to the Arrowhead student handbook, Arrowhead does take measures to reduce the number of teenage users. Every month there are drug tests in which a random pool of students are picked and drug tested. In the case that they fail, their parents and notified, and they are suspended from the sport or activity that the student is involved with.

Freyer says, “AHS invests a lot of time, money, and personal care in trying to keep teens going in good directions and avoiding drugs and alcohol. Health classes teach you about the health risks and effects of alcohol and drugs. I’m old fashioned. I think that a lot of the resolution to our drug and alcohol issues starts with family and good relationships. Your best values, habits, and education about right and wrong or good and bad, should come from Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa, and other great mentors. When you come to school, we the school then have the responsibility to build on what you have been taught at home, and be a great back up and support system to your parents and family. We should enhance what you have been taught at home through our resources.”

An AHS senior that would prefer to remain anonymous says, “It seems like everyone I know is involved some way with drugs and or alcohol.”

“I see the usage everywhere: in the bathrooms, in the parking lot, at parties. At this point I don’t even have to go looking for it, it comes to me,” says that AHS senior.

“It’s gotten so out of hand that there is nothing the school can do to prevent us from using. We will always find a way to get to those drugs and alcohol, no matter how the school tries to stop us from doing so,” says an anonymous senior.

“When I see students using drugs around me, I am concerned for their health and often consider telling a trusted adult, such as a counselor or parent, to get them help. At Arrowhead I feel that we have a lot of people to go to and I don’t want people I care about getting hurt,” says AHS junior Maddy Michelini.