Bloomington High School South, The Gothic, 1997, Page 32

Description:	Testing theSurgeon Generals Warning:AN INSIDE LOOK AT WHY STUDENTS SMOKE, BY JOHN DVORAKIt was a cold, damp morning and only four people stood overat the smoking hangout near Summit Pointe apartments. I was alittle apprehensive about going across Henderson to talk to someof the students who smoke.So I crossed Henderson to talk to someone, anyone. Onestudent agreed to answer my questions.The student said he liked to smoke at Summit Pointe beforeschool because, ...it is right across from the school, and when thebuses get here you can come across here to smoke.He needed a cigarette before school because otherwise he saidwould ...fall asleep from boredom.He said, It kind of stimulates you to keep your mind focusedon the teachers and stuff. It also helps me keep in tune to whatsgoing on. I dont daydream and I get my work done.He had been smoking at Summit Pointe for four months andhad beensmoking forabout a year.He was awareof the reportson smokingstating therisks for yourhealth, andsaid, ... itsnot really that I enjoy smoking as much as that its kind of like aneed ... I am tired of people saying that you can smoke and notbecome addicted because when you smoke you become addicted.If you are addicted to smoking and you go a day and dont have a0reBrian BehrmanStudents are notstrangers to thehabit of smoking,According to Mr.Mike Johnson, viceprincipal, up to six hestudents per week w.are caught smoking reon school grounds, asof:hi;The need of smoking is likesomeones need for a cup of coffee inthe morning. Smoking a cigarette is apart of my waking-up proccess.-anonymousdrag, you start acting weird, like a full moon or something.Later during the school day, I talked to another student whogave me more reasons for smoking.The second student said, The need of smoking is likesomeones need for a cup of coffee in the morning. Smoking acigarette is part of my waking-up process. If I didnt have acigarette, I would not wake up completely.Vice Principal Mr. Mike Johnson said, Smoking is a lifestylechoice that I dont particulary care for, but just because someonesmokes doesnt mean they are a bad person. More than half of thestudents who are out at Summit Pointe in the morning have notyet arrived on school property. Once they are on school grounds,we are liable. It doesnt take a lot of my time to deal with theproblem, because the penalties are laid out cut and dry in thestudent handbook.DRUBA f^W A DF!?JL JUL* ^^$£383* J&L. Jm» i .IS JL. MiBhi Jb».. m-JBw*^ ^quotes collected bykathy watsondri feeligs are abusedby studentsMore than half the school does it.-sophomore Naomi ForssDrugs are starting to be everywhere I go.-freshman Andrea LetoDrugs are around quite a bit. If you listen to a conversation, ninetimes out of 10, theyre talking about a party.-senior Cory DillardMany people dont know who abuses drugs, but many people do.Its hard to stop which is why so many people are still using drugs.-sophomore Barbara SanchezTheres a little problem. I see the actual drugs going around inschool.-freshman Molly Diemeri feeldrugs are not iibusedby studentsThe problem is in the health office. They are too freaked out abou:it. If you go in there looking grungy, theyll give you a urine test. I:youre a jock or prep, they wont do anything. Thats a majorstereotype, but its true.-senior Aprell KirkYou dont see it very much. If there were a problem, youd see it;lot more. Yeah, theres people that do it, but not everyone.-freshman Josh LloydAdults tend to blow things out of proportion and make a big de;out of kids just fooling around.-senior Mike DeBruickerKids at this school are too smart to do drugs.-sophomore Sean Davisth.se<Of19th]Fh•Ioff•NracmeonSej•WpeiagehacstuI wpecpechachacusewhsta1Jhi•TtandSouOffaslto Icaiesc32mini-rnLaeazineSpread design by Suzanne georg fiSPkelli wilson
Source:	http://cdm17129.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/hs-bloomsouth/id/5283
Collection:	Bloomington High School South

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