Teacher on Drugs, what to do

I am a parent of a middle school aged child, and while spending time with a friend I met her significant other, who seems to really like smoking pot. I later found out that he is a middle school teacher, and that struck a nerve.
While I know that there are much worse drugs, this teacher happens to spend alot of money every month on this habit. And having socially indulged myself and quit 10 plus years ago, I realized that anyone his age that would buy such amounts of the drug and risk committing a felony, he has a personality that I would not like to expose my child to. I don't let my child around people like that myself, why should I send them off to school to be taught by them?
My question is how should I approach this? Again I realize that in comparison to other drugs, this isn't so bad but it's still against the law. Relief can be found by many other LEGAL means if he needed it, and I think parents/authorities should know about his habit. Any and all advice would be appreciated

Parent Answers to "Teacher on Drugs, what to do"

View 5 answers: Newest-Oldest, Oldest-Newest
Display all answers

I am sure the situation you describe will offer many opinions on the matter but it's also a very tricky one. I know of many teachers who go out clubbing or bar hoping on the weekends. Does this change my opinion about them and their ability to do their job? Maybe not, but if their private lives carry over into their jobs than I would say yes. Houston, we have a problem.
I just wonder with DARE being taught in most schools how he can tell others not to do drugs when he himself does them. But again, back to the teachers enjoying themselves on the weekend, what is the difference really? Don't do drugs, don't smoke, and don't drink...I'm sure more teachers than we think can be labeled a hypocrite for teaching kids this philosophy, and many parents for that matter. Karma can be a wonderful thing, sooner or later he will be found out.
Now if you knew he was distributing drugs, especially to minors, then I would certainly blow the whistle.

I'm sorry, but to say not to do anything because it doesn't affect your child directly is unacceptable. I personally would want to know this kind of information and I would do back flips to see that this person is held accountable for his immaturity.
Some people don't smoke to get high? I can't think of any pot heads that I ever knew smoked it because they like the taste, and I would hope that this poster would know if this person is a cancer patient etc. using for medicinal purposes, and not even bother posting because it's a non issue.
If I had proof that someone was spending a ton of money on an illegal drug, I would realize that middle school is where kids become interested in drugs, and I would wonder if he is distributing a little on the side. If he is consuming all of it, it would indicate an addictive personality that will only lead to stronger drugs, either way, it's a character flaw. If it's a buzz he needs, there are so many other ways to get that without visiting some drug dealer off the street.

I don't know why we tend to hold students to a higher standard than teachers when it comes to these types of things. If a student were doing this, outside of school and administration found out, the student would more than likely have action taken against him. And to say that you shouldn't do anything because it isn't directly afecting your child right now is rather selfish. We should watch out for the welfare of all of our children, as what affects others does affect ours. Is it different if a teacher gets caught by the police, do we then want action? To say the influence isn't there because he hasn't been caught is rather naive - he is apparently not that discreet if he is doing it where parents in the district can become aware enough of it to know how much he is spending on it.
If you don't smoke pot to get high - then why - medical purposes? That is an excuse for most and true for a few.

Personally, since it's just pot, I would NOT say anything. Your child is not in his class right? And if your child were to end up with this teacher in the future, request a change and enlist the help of the teacher directly. Be frank with him about why you have a problem with him but without making threats. I'd bet he'd help you change classrooms quicker than you could do it alone!

This is a "MYOB" situation, IMHO. I don't rat out my neighbors when they do it in their back yard. I don't rat out my neighbors' kids who do it either. I would NOT rat out a teacher who did it unless it were on school grounds or before he taught class - and then I would say something directly to him, not anyone else. There is no reason to involve anyone else.

You don't know his situation. Not everyone smokes to get high. If he's smoking it at school, then there's a problem... But if he's just doing it at home? Leave it alone - is my suggestion. It's his business, not yours. If it causes a problem with his job, he'll reap the consequences on his own and won't need your help to do it.

ii think that the cops have to do something about that and so dont the superintendents office

Any contributed content above is the subjective opinion of that member or external author, and not of GreatSchools. GreatSchools does not check for accuracy in community posts or verify the contributor’s identity. If you are searching for health-related advice we strongly suggest you seek professional medical support. View our Community Guidelines for more details.

Local Q&A

Top cities

Los Angeles	Phoenix
Houston	San Diego
Chicago	Dallas
San Jose	San Antonio
New York	Miami

Browse questions about

Local Q&A is brand new! What do you think? Give us your feedback in our feedback forum.