Introduction

While drug abuse overall has shown a steady move upward, the scope of the problem has changed with respect to drugs of choice and the people who use them.

Heroin, marijuana and LSD are no longer the elite.  Cocaine, crack, PCP, ice and a whole host of synthetic drugs are now among the most commonly abused drugs.

The abusers have changed from dropouts to all segments of mainstream society ignoring economics, age and nationalities.

Drug abuse is in our schools.  We cannot afford to be blind to this problem and its reality.  Drug abusers when compared to non-abusers, have higher absence rates, lower academic standings, higher medical insurance costs, and higher rates of crime and insubordination.  They cause low student and faculty morale.

The Rotary Club of Houston identified a need to take a proactive position towards the elimination of substance abuse among students in our communities.

A comprehensive program has been developed to voluntarily test students with dignity, strict confidentiality and respect.

This program is aimed at creating drug free lifestyles, offering free drug counseling where necessary, communicating the DFYIT message to the entire community and placing ownership of the problem, not SOLELY with the students, but the entire community.