WRAL Investigates: Substance use trends in schools

Substance abuse trends in schools—and why parents need to talk to their students now. WRAL highlights tips from SouthLight’s Azhane Williams, an ACE Prevention Coordinator

By Cullen Browder, WRAL anchor/reporter

According to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s most recent data, there were nearly 20,000 school suspensions in 2020-2021 academic year. That number would be much higher if not for a counseling program used by many districts that keeps students in school.