Student Assistance Role
My Role
- Identification and assessment of High-Risk Students
- Individual and group counseling
- Referral to community agencies
- Classroom presentations, Prevention Education
- Participation in School and Community Task forces
Referral Pathways
- Self-referral: A student asks for help independently.
- Parent/guardian Referral
- Mandated referral
Goals
- Prevention and early intervention
- Change norms and expectations about substances
- Enhance protective factors
- Reduce risk factors of substance use
Indicators of Substance Use to Look Out For
Behavioral Indicators
- Change in behavior and mannerisms Ex changing friends’ withdrawal from activities, shift in classroom participation
- Drug seeking behavior: Frequent trips to the bathroom, skipping class
- Impaired sense of judgement ex: making impulsive decisions in the classroom, acting irresponsibly
- Low attendance
- Missing schoolwork, slipping grades
Physical Indicators
- Slurring speech and difficulty with verbal expression
- Change in eyes ex: having bloodshot eyes, dilated pupils, or pinpoint pupils
- Change in appearance- paying little attention to personal hygiene
- Frequent runny nose or nose bleeds
- Difficulty staying on task/ focused
- Paranoia, irritability, and anxiety