At BSM, there are multiple convocations held during the school year. The most recent convocation on April 18th, was about substance abuse and marijuana. BSM faculty and staff take precautions about many possible issues dealing with students. Substance abuse is one of them. The convocation speakers were Heather Bacchus and Randy Bacchus Sr. They are the founders of Be Extraordinary Be You. They spoke to students about their son’s struggle with substance abuse.
BSM’s Chemical health counselor, Mrs. Esping has been at BSM for two years and provides help to students who are dealing with substance abuse. She explained that using THC, edibles, vapes, and drugs, all impact people and their brains. After reading about their website, Esping decided to hold a convocation. “I was so moved by their story because I mean, it’s tragedy also that their son committed suicide because some brains [can’t] handle it…but I was just moved. I thought that was a very strong story,” Esping said.
The convocation was about a boy named Randy Bacchus Jr. Randy was the only son of the Bacchus. He was a boy who dealt with substance abuse at the age of 15, which caused mental and physical health issues. His parents, Heather and Randy, spoke about his life to share their knowledge of how substance abuse affected him. Many students thought the convocation was a good experience.
While the Bacchus were sharing their son’s story and everything he dealt with, many students learned from that and thought their speech was informative. “I thought it was really educational and interesting to hear. I learned more about how dangerous marijuana is, and hearing a first-hand story of a family who was affected by it made it more real,” sophomore Jonathan Schumacher said.
I thought it was really educational and interesting to hear. I learned more about how dangerous marijuana is, and hearing a first-hand story of a family who was affected by it made it more real.”
— Jonathan Schumacher
Many students thought it was heartbreaking and some took notice of the consequences of substance abuse. “I thought it was really informational, but it was also really sad… like after seeing the effects of it, it definitely made me more cautious about what I choose to do,” sophomore Meredith Seeger said.
Substance abuse can have serious consequences on a person’s health, relationships, and overall well-being. It can lead to addiction, physical and mental health issues, and can strain relationships with friends and family. It’s essential to understand the risks and seek help if needed to avoid these negative impacts. “I’d say, don’t do it. It’s not worth it. If you’re trying to be cool, it’s just not,” Seeger said.