For the 2013-14 school year, De Soto High school has attempted to embrace a “Not in Our House” mind set to motivate students to make good choices. One of the major points of the program is the idea of being drug free.

Students are instructed to avoid drugs beginning as early as kindergarten with Red Ribbon Week. This week, dedicated to remaining drug free, persists through middle school.  Once students reach high school, however, these little ribbons disappear and in its place comes a dormant banner on a wall. How effective are these tactics at turning students off of drugs? The answer lies within the student body.

“Our school programs against drugs don’t work because there is just a poster on a wall. It’s easy to ignore,” said a De Soto student who wanted to remain anonymous.

When asked if the “Not in Our House” philosophy was effective, 85 percent of 58 DHS students polled argued that in the current way that it is being used, it is not.

“I don’t think our school program works because most people believe that smoking weed is not wrong,” said another DHS student who wanted to remain anonymous.

Most students argued that the reason that the school program is not effective is because the school does not explain the consequences. They say that marijuana use is wrong, but they never explain why it is wrong.

According to some students, their parents’ influence is the main reason they choose not to participate in smoking marijuana.

However, school programs are not alone, 62.5 percent of polled DHS students agreed that national programs against drugs are not effective either.

“No matter how many campaigns there are, people are going to do it anyway,” said a DHS student who wished to remain anonymous.

Some students agree with this idea. One student who wished to remain anonymous believes that marijuana “is fun, adds confidence and adds humor to a social setting,”

This person believes “that weed, when used sparingly, is not harmful,” and the only thing that makes them think twice is whether they will “get caught or have to drive somewhere far away.”

However, other students feel that weed is harmful, and that while students use it, that decision is not a intelligent one.

“It hurts people emotionally, physically and mentally,” said a student who wished to remain anonymous.

For this reason, DHS “Not in Our House” campaign is not effective, according to some students. The students mentioned earlier believe that it is just a banner on the wall, and not an all-encompassing mission statement that is posted and encouraged through out the school. Some students claim that they are not being convinced that marijuana is dangerous by their school or by their parents.

“[Parents and schools]need to prove that weed does cause lasting effects and explain how it can be addictive despite popular belief,” one DHS student said.