Educational institution is one last place where you might expect cases of drug abuse. These are places where the children are tailored to be good citizens and good human beings. But the evil of drug abuse has not spared this place also. In New Jersey, one gets to hear about drug abuse cases in schools on a regular basis. It is something that fails to shock us anymore.

An interesting piece of news that crossed the headline some time ago is the relation between drug abuse and violence. A recent study in New Jersey threw light on the fact that drug abuse and violence in children is interrelated. The study reveals that there has been a decrease in violence among students as there has been an increase in drug abuse cases. The students of New Jersey schools fought less but the cases of drug abuse have grown over the years. The study was conducted in the year 2007-08. The total annual cases of vandalism, substance abuse and violence have decreased by 5%. 11 percent decline is seen in vandalism and 14 percent decrease in weapons violations. This has been the decline while the drug abuse cases have increased by 4 percent. State officials are very concerned about the present condition if the students at New Jersey schools and feel the need to spread awareness on the issue so as to curb the problem. The main concern of the state officials is the fact that the students have more access to drugs now more than ever before. Easy availability has made this problem increase tenfold and seems to no tender bud to snip. The students are now getting hold of prescribed medicines. They have the access to dangerous and addictive drugs as well. The worst part of this scenario is that the not only use this for their personal use but they supply drugs as well. This makes the other students fall prey to such a notorious habit. Over the counter drugs are easily available to the students and with false or stolen prescription, there is nothing much that the state officials can do.

The only way out of this mess is to spread awareness about the issue. Once the students come face to face with the hazards of drug abuse, they will be more likely to avert the habit. An overall effort is required to curb this problem.