Transcript Youth Gangs - Brookwood High School

Tough Issues Teens Face
Dr. Bryan Long
Office of Student Discipline and
Behavioral Intervention
Universal Rules of Discipline
1. Good Kids Sometimes Make Bad
Decisions
2. Parents with their heads in the
sand miss a lot more than parents
who look.
“Not my
child!”
3. When parents talk to kids about
real issues kids face, the kids are
more likely to make the right
choices.
Parenting/School Concerns in 2011
 Society has changed.
All the ills of society are
present in the world through which students
must navigate.
 The issues students come in contact with span
all demographic, economic, and social classes.
 These are societal issues that are of concern
both in the communities and in the schools.
Would you know?
 If you found a bunch of these pills,
would you know what they are?
 What about if you saw a text where
your student was talking about 4:20
or Rolling?
4:20
Would you know?
 If your child wore this
necklace or this shirt, would
you think anything of it?
Would you know?
 That your middle school daughter could be
arrested and convicted as a sex offender for
sending a photo of herself to her boyfriend?
What do I do?
 Ignorance or denial will not serve you or your
child.
 Knowledge and active parenting are your best
defense.
 Therefore, it is important that parents know as
much as possible about the sometimes
frightening world that surrounds their children
So thank you for coming
today!
Discuss the
Parent/Student
Handbook with your
child. Make sure you
and your child
understand the rules
for which they will be
held accountable.
This handbook is available in
several different languages.
Important Information about
Student Discipline (p. 13-14)
 Not allowed on school property during
suspension (#1)
 Accomplice rule (#6)
 TAADRA- (#13)
 DJJ and YDC transitions (#14)
 New Bullying law (p. 17)
Brookwood High School
Statistics
Even the best schools and communities
face the same issues.
DELINQUENCY
Have you:
Lied to parents about whereabouts at least
once within past 12 months?
Skipped school without parent permission at
least once within past 12 months?
Been bullied or threatened by other youth
within past 30 days?
Bullied or threatened other youth?
Sent a threatening or intimidating
message to someone using an electronic
device?
Stolen from a store within past 12 months?
Driven a car without owner’s permission?
HS
2008
HS
2010
Brookwood
HS
2008
Brookwood
HS
2010
56.1%
45.9%
57.2%
41.2%
26.4%
19.8%
14.4%
8.1%
7.4%
6.5%
9.4%
8.1%
8.9%
6.8%
8.2%
6.7%
*
14.1%
25.7%
14.0%
30.0%
11.3%
*
20.2%
13.9%
8.7%
14.1%
7.1%
Consequences of Bullying for the victim







Headache
Sleep problems
Abdominal pain
Feeling tense
Anxiety
Feeling unhappy
Depression scale
Bullied
16%
42%
17%
20%
28%
23%
49%
Not Bullied
6%
23%
9%
9%
10%
5%
16%
And for the bully
Longitudinal study of bullies reveal
that:



60% of boys who were bullies in middle
school had at least one criminal
conviction by age 24.
40% had three or more convictions.
Bullies were 4 times as likely as peers to
have multiple convictions.
GANG ACTIVITY &
ATTITUDES
I would worry if a sibling or friend joined a
gang.
I have heard of gang activity in my
neighborhood or school.
I have witnessed gang activity in my
neighborhood or school.
I have been asked to join a gang.
I have participated in illegal gang related
activity within the past 30 days.
I have friends who have participated in
illegal gang activities within the past 30
days.
I believe it is possible for gang members to
leave a gang safely.
I would consider joining a gang.
I feel no one would care if I joined a gang.
I have been initiated into a gang.
HS
2008
HS
2010
Brookwood
HS
2008
Brookwood
HS
2010
83.4%
81.1%
84.5%
81.7%
68.9%
56.2%
51.6%
42.3%
43.1%
33.3%
23.0%
18.3%
25.3%
23.4%
17.9%
13.3%
5.4%
5.1%
3.9%
3.4%
23.7%
20.3%
14.9%
10.9%
17.7%
17.4%
17.7%
13.7%
8.5%
9.0%
7.4%
7.1%
9.0%
6.5%
6.8%
8.9%
5.7%
7.4%
8.0%
6.5%
Who joins a gang?
Gangs are not a part of any culture.
Gangs are part of
Criminal Culture.
Is this guy a “real” gang member?
Who cares? At this
point, the difference
between a
“Wannabe” and a
“Real” gang
member is totally
irrelevant.
PHYSICAL VIOLENCE
In the past 12 months, have you:
HS
2008
HS
2010
Hit or beaten someone?
33.1%
31.7%
27.9%
22.0%
Taken part in a group fight?
16.8% 14.2%
12.2%
9.0%
Carried a knife, gun or weapon for
protection?
Used a knife, gun or weapon to scare
someone?
Brought a weapon to school?
Brookwo Brookwoo
od HS
d HS
2008
2010
9.7%
16.5%
4.5%
12.8%
9.9%
9.2%
6.3%
6.1%
9.5%
8.4%
8.4%
6.8%
Drugs
 Drugs issues are not new; however, the
seriousness of the drugs students are confronted
with has increased.
 Drugs are present in schools regardless of
location, demographics, affluence, etc.
SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Have you:
HS
2008
HS
2010
Brookwood
HS
2008
Brookwood
HS
2010
Used alcohol in the last 30 days?
23.2%
18.8%
20.3%
13.8%
Used marijuana in the last 30 days?
13.1%
13.4%
12.8%
9.8%
2.3%
3.6%
2.8%
3.0%
Used cocaine in the last 30 days?
Used methamphetamines in the last 30
days?
Ever used alcohol?
1.5%
3.0%
.7%
2.7%
36.0%
27.1%
33.5%
22.6%
Ever used cigarettes?
18.7%
13.6%
19.2%
10.1%
4.7%
5.2%
4.9%
3.9%
Ever used marijuana?
20.7%
18.8%
18.8%
14.0%
Ever used inhalants?
2.8%
3.5%
2.8%
2.0%
Ever used steroids?
1.7%
2.7%
1.0%
1.5%
Ever used ecstasy?
3.5%
3.9%
2.5%
3.2%
Ever abused prescription drugs?
6.4%
6.4%
5.3%
5.2%
Ever used chewing tobacco?
Drugs Cont’
HS
2008
HS
2010
Brookwood
2008
Brookwood
2010
13.6%
10.5%
12.2%
8.0%
Bought, sold or given drugs or alcohol
to someone while on school property
during the last 12 months?
10.7%
8.7%
9.0%
5.9%
Been under the influence of drugs or
alcohol while on school property
during the last 12 months?
19.9%
15.6%
21.3%
11.6%
Sold or given drugs or alcohol within
past 12 months?
Alcohol
A student’s first introduction to drugs often comes from
parents/family members who allow their children to use
alcohol. (31% of teens report getting alcohol from
family or other adults).
 Alcohol is not only illegal for people under 21, but
research clearly shows the negative health
consequences of alcohol on the developing brain as
well as greatly increasing the risk of alcoholism.

Marijuana
 Marijuana is usually the next drug with which a
student will experiment. Marijuana today is often
much more potent than marijuana of the past.
 This increases the danger of the drug as it
lowers inhibitions and makes poor decisions
more likely.
 It is also the drug your child is most likely to be
offered.
Drugs Cont'
Prescription/OTC Drugs
 This is probably where parents most often make a
mistake.
 Nationwide, 1 in 5 teens abuse prescription drugs.
Old Prescriptions- Percocet, OxyContin, Xanax, etc.
Ritalin/Adderall- “Kiddie Cocaine” Schedule II
OTC drugs – Skittles-Coricidin
Virtually any pills even if they do not know what they do
Drugs Cont’
Methamphetamines
 This is a drug that is rampant today. Made from
ingredients that can be purchased at any grocery
store with an internet recipe, it is highly addictive
and ruins lives. Commonly referred to as “Ice”,
Crystal Meth. is a frightening drug that usually
requires professional help to quit.
Drugs Cont'
 Cocaine, Ecstasy, LSD, Heroin
 Use of these drugs usually signal a person has
progressed through a series of drugs, constantly
seeking a bigger and bigger high.
 Obviously, use of these drugs signals a need for
professional help.
Sexual Activity
 Children today are becoming sexually active at a
shockingly young age.
 Parents not talking to their children about sex
does not mean their peers are not talking to
them about sex.
SEXUAL ACTIVITY
Have you:
HS
2008
HS
2010
Ever had consensual sexual contact?
Ever had consensual contact with 3+
partners?
Ever had sexual intercourse?
Ever been pregnant or gotten someone
pregnant?
38.5%
19.6%
Ever had an abortion?
Ever contracted a sexually transmitted
disease?
Had intercourse with 3+ partners?
If sexually active, used alcohol or drugs at
the time of last intercourse?
Ever sent a sexually explicit picture or
video of yourself or someone else using a
computer, phone or other electronic
device?
Brookwood
HS
2008
Brookwood
HS
2010
30.0%
14.9%
34.0%
15.3%
21.9%
8.5%
26.7%
19.0%
20.4%
13.0%
3.5%
2.7%
1.5%
1.6%
1.2%
2.6%
.8%
2.2%
.3%
1.8%
.7%
2.5%
12.9%
9.2%
7.9%
4.8%
21.9%
3.8%
18.8%
4.0%
*
29.2%
*
15.0%
Sexual Activity Cont'
 16% of MS students and 40% of HS students
have had sexual activity
 Of those who report being sexually active, 33%
of middle school youth report they had their first
sexual experience by the completion of 6th
grade.
Sexting
 One of the newest trend involves the sending
and receiving of sexual photos over cell phones.
 Approximately 1 in 4 teenagers are involved in
“sexting”.
 Around the country, this has let to some teens
being charged with child pornography charges.
The Internet
The Internet is a frightening place.
Parents who would never let their students go to
the mall alone will commonly let them go out
unsupervised into a virtual world that is full of
danger. (myspace, facebook, chat rooms, etc.)
Student on student issues
Adult on student issues
Internet Cont’
 Supervise what your child does on the internet.
 Computers with internet access are best placed
in family areas where an adult can walk by at
any time.
 Talk to your kids about the dangers of the
internet.
Keeping Your Student Safe
 Develop and Anti-Gang/Drug Self-Concept
 Establish a Drug-Free and Gang-Free Home
 Get Involved in the Community/School
 Provide Supervision
 Provide Enrichment
 Teach Them
 Ensure School Success
Keeping Your Student Safe
 Be a Role Model not a Friend
 Positive Attention
 Open Lines of Communication
 Discipline
 Increase Your Knowledge
 Know Their Friends
Wayne Sakamoto
Director of School Safety
Murrieta Valley Unified School
District
Parents are the key!
Educated/Active/Involved Parents are the key to
the future of their children.