School Counselors and Fighting the Opioid Epidemic: Consequences, Impact on Academic Performance, and Treatment to Overcome the Battle

Abstract

This brief manuscript will address the prevalence of the opioid epidemic, short and long-term consequences of opioid usage, as well as the impact that opioid usage has on students’ academic performance. Opioid usage has a direct and deleterious impact on students’ academic, social emotional, and psychological wellbeing. Sustained drug usage can lead to failure in school, dropping out, delinquent behavior, as well as lead to lifelong addiction issues. School counselors play a critical role in raising awareness about the dangers of drug usage, as well as motivating students to make healthy choices. The definition of opioid usage, statistics, consequences, as well as school counseling best practices for reducing opioid usage will be addressed.