I believe the most effective time to focus on addiction, mental health and homelessness is at the middle and high school level. I have worked for over 30 years in education at middle schools, high schools, vocational schools and alternative schools. Sad to say, it is often possible to predict which students will be in these situations even when they are in middle school.

Teachers try their best to help but resources are thin. When students leave high school, the day-to-day contact with concerned adults ends. The younger the age that students get help, the more effective the help is. This also means the most cost-effective.

I see three advantages to addressing the problem at the middle and high school levels. They come down to location, flexible young brains and the power of caring staff.

Location: Schools are a place where a large number of persons can be reached at one location versus trying to locate the homeless and addicts when they are adults. There are already some resources available, but they are stretched thin. By the time students are in middle school many are already dealing with abuse in many forms: sexual, physical and emotional. Many have been exposed to or involved in drug use. Others suffer from mental illness and consider suicide. Many are not getting help because they have not been identified for services or do not qualify for services. Helping those who have been identified is dependent on staff available and time available in their schedule.

Flexible brains: During middle and high school years, students’ brains are still forming and attitudes are more flexible than during adulthood. Students are trying to figure out who they are. Brain studies have shown that during the teen years the developing brain is going through a rerouting process. Teens are developing the type of thinking skills they will need as adults. That along with hormone changes leave students totally confused. Their world is no longer simple. Students are expected to get good grades and prepare for a career at the same time as they face bullying and peer pressure. They are expected to fit in socially at the same time that they are unsure if they will be accepted for who they are.

Caring staff: School staff are very caring but are pulled in many directions. In today’s schools, teachers are expected to be an educator, counselor, social worker and protector from gun violence. Teachers are expected to teach subject matter to a high level while adjusting to each student’s level and style of learning. Teachers are required by law to report any signs of abuse. Teachers are expected to identify bullying in person and online. Teachers try to notice any signs of a student in emotional need and forward concerns to counselors. Teachers on their own make decisions to sacrifice their life for their students in emergencies. Teachers can use more help.

Many students I worked with at an alternative school had dropped out of middle school and had been couch surfing (staying at any friend’s house who would let them in). Most had been in trouble with law enforcement for possession of pot. Some students’ parents were in jail, some were severe drug addicts, some were abusive, some had kicked their child out of their home. So many of them needed an adult to just listen.

I believe that having a staff member in each middle and high school funded by the state and dedicated to coordinating services for at-risk students would help students learn how to develop coping skills.