Student Assistance Program

Our Lady of Good Counsel High School Student Assistance Program
Associated with Montgomery County Public Schools Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Project

Committed to helping "at risk" students obtain services.

What is Student Assistance?

The Student Assistance Program is a school-based substance use intervention program under the auspices of the Montgomery County Public Schools Safe and Drug Free Schools Project. Student Assistance is focused on prevention through intervention and is not aimed at collecting evidence for criminal prosecution.

What is the Goal of Student Assistance?

Most substance usage takes place off school grounds out of the jurisdiction of school officials, yet many of the effects of this use are reflected in students' performance in school. The goal of Student Assistance is to identify adolescents whose behavior, attendance or grades indicate that they may have problems related to alcohol and/or other drug use. Through the different steps that comprise the Student Assistance process, these at-risk adolescents are referred for a professional assessment and directed to appropriate services.

How Does Student Assistance Work?

Any individual (school staff member, parent, community member or student) can tell the Student Assistance team about his/her concern for a student. Students may refer themselves. A "Concern Form" is submitted to the Student Assistance team leader and a data collection process begins. Information is studied to determine any possible indicators, such as drop in grades, increase in absences, frequent visits to the nurse or behavior problems. If there are insufficient indicators of a problem, the matter is dropped and all information is destroyed, If, however, the data collected indicates the need for further assessment, the information is then shared with the student's parents who are encouraged to participate in the intervention process. Only the data collected is shared with the parent. Any information concerning who made the original referral is strictly confidential. A referral may be submitted without divulging the name of the source.

The Student Assistance team may be comprised of administrators, teachers, counselors, building service workers, office personnel, cafeteria workers, school nurse, attendance secretary, and any other staff who may be in contact with students. Our Lady of Good Counsel's Student Assistance Team Members are:

Bro. Bob Arrowsmith, Counselor
Jackie Cheaves, Counselor
Sylvia Serafino, Teacher
Anna Lopez, Teacher
Eleanor Donaghue, Counselor
Emily McNamara, Attendance Secretary
Madelyn Ball, Asst. Principal

If you have concerns about a student, please complete a confidential Concern Form and return it to the Student assistance box in the counseling office, health room, front office, or the teacher's lounge.

Substances and Physical Symptoms

Alcohol: Flushed complexion, impaired coordination, slurred speech, dizziness, drowsiness, headache
Aphetamines: Excitability, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, mood swings, dilated pupils, dizziness, confusion.
Cocaine: Weight loss, dilated pupils, elevated blood pressure, runny nose, rapid breathing, sleeplessness, irritability, violent behavior
Rack: Mood swings, hoarseness, weight loss, sleeplessness, parched lips, tongue and throat
Inhalants: Impaired judgment, vision or memory, slurred speech, violence, light-headedness, unconsciousness, irritated nose, eyes and lungs
LSD: Dilated pupils, increased heart rate and blood pressure, loss of appetite, sleeplessness
Marijuana:Perception of distortion in time and space, cough, confusion, depression, reddened eyes, increased appetite, dry mouth, increased heart rate
Mushrooms: Dilated pupils, increased heart rate and blood pressure, loss of appetite, sleeplessness
Narcotics: Stupor, drowsiness, pinpoint pupils, watery eyes, nausea, loss of appetite, constipation, needle marks, runny nose, itchiness
PCP: Severe confusion, unusual strength, aggression, violent behavior, incoherence, constricted pupils, perspiration
Sedatives: Relaxation, impaired coordination, slurred speech, confusion, constricted pupils, drowsiness, headache
Tobacco: Stained teeth and fingers, tobacco smell on breath, nervousness when not smoking

Help Is As Near As The Phone

Safe and Drug-Free Schools 301-279-3041	Community Crisis Center 301-315-4000
Montgomery County Hotline 301-738-CALL	MCPS Safe Schools Hotline 301-517-5995
Alcoholics Anonymous 202-966-9115	AA Spanish Hotline 202-722-4707
Al-Anon and Alateen 202-882-1334	Narcotics Anonymous 202-399-5316
Open Door Youth Runaway Program 301-770-0193	The Prevention Center 301-929-8550
Party Buster 301-217-1966	Drug Turn-In Program 301-217-DRUG

For More Information...

If you would like further information about Student Assistance, you may contact the team leader:

Eleanor Donaghue 301-942-1155 Ext. 130