Teacher education students at Missouri Southern are given preparation to address sensitive issues with students.

“Some students take an introduction counseling course that allows them to work with some sensitive issues with students,” said Dr. Brenda Roberts, director of clinical and field experiences in teacher education.

“We have had students do that (confide in teachers),” said Dr. Kerry Sachetta, Joplin High School principal. “Usually, it is a student you develop a relationship with, and they come to you for help.”

Teachers who interact with the same students on a regular basis are likely to notice the change in behavior associated with drug use.

“Every good and unfortunate thing in their (the student’s) lives comes into school with them,” Sachetta said.

“In student teacher seminar, we address the problems of child abuse, neglect and family violence,” Roberts said.

Southern teacher education students are taught how to listen to student concerns and about what resources are available to help them help the students with these concerns.

The Joplin school district serves more than 2,000 in the community.

“With all the issues associated with 2,000 kids, I think we run pretty smooth,” Roberts said.

Counselors and teachers at JHS refer students with drug problems to the Scott Greening Center and the Ozark Center.

“There isn’t much fear of retribution,” Roberts said. “If they come in and confide their problem, we try to get them help.”

A stair-step disciplinary action program has been developed and enforced in the district for students caught in possession of drugs or alcohol.

On the first offense, students are given a 10-20 day out of school suspension and the police department is notified.

Suspension time can be reduced if students attend classes in the transitional learning center. The transitional learning center is located at the alternative school building on the west campus of JHS.

If a second offense occurs, students are suspended for 20-45 days and law enforcement is notified.

Distributing drugs or alcohol on Joplin’s campus can lead to expulsion.

“Very rarely do we catch a student with drugs on them,” Sachetta said.

Joplin has a voluntary drug testing program in the district available for student athletes.

Students have the option at the beginning of the semester to participate in random drug testing throughout the school year.

Drug prevention education takes three forms: Red Ribbon week in October denouncing drug use; the DARE program; and mandatory enrollment in health class which educates students on the dangers of drug use.