Drugaddiction and its role in pedagogical processes, a hidden or an evident problem?

Abstract

Objective. To describe the way in which teachers who are being trained perceive and act towards drug-addiction in children, young people and teenagers.

Methodology. Narrative process supported in the comprehensive qualitative paradigm of case studies. Five journals from teachers who were being trained, men and women, who started their internship in official schools of the department of Caldas (Colombia) in groups with an average of 45 students, enrolled from 5th to 9th grade, were used as tools. Journals had stories, interpretations and thoughts about observed cases in the classes and scholar situations. Information was collected between 2006 and 2007.

Results. The dichotomy between the curriculum and the reality experienced by the students is evident. Trainees consider that the knowledge they receive is not enough to train them on how to intervene drug-addiction and health problems in the students, but they recognize these factors as determinants in the pedagogical processes and useful information to work in an interdisciplinary team with other professionals.

Conclusion. Even though theoretically the direct relationship between curriculum, culture and training processes is explained, they don’t have enough and opportune tools to solve physical, mental and emotional health problems, like drug-addiction that affect children, young people and teenagers integral training processes.