Local News

'She has forevermore changed:' Mother says daughter was victim of drug problem at Wake school

It's been a troubling time for a Wake County high school. Two Leesville Road High School students have died in the last week and those deaths come after two overdose deaths involving Leesville graduates.

Posted Updated

By
Ken Smith
, WRAL anchor/reporter
RALEIGH, N.C. — It’s been a troubling time for a Wake County high school. Two Leesville Road High School students have died in the last week and those deaths come after two overdose deaths involving Leesville graduates.

School leaders recently met with parents to address concerns as one mother makes an emotional plea for change.

Within the walls of Leesville Road High School, one parent says there is a serious drug problem that became an issue for her daughter.

Tina Stevens said her daughter has been through several months of rehab since her freshman year at Leesville Road.

“We came up with a good safety plan when she returned home,” Stevens said. “What she has been exposed to, she has forevermore changed by what she’s experienced at this school.”

Wake County schools acknowledges parents’ concerts and have been meeting with them. In a statement to WRAL News, a spokeswoman said:

“Leesville Road High School has been working with parents to promote healthy choices and behaviors. Some of the things they talked about: making sure parents are checking cell phones, having family dinners, knowing where they are, knowing who their friends are, so that children can be supported at home with positive decision.”

Stevens, though, said that is not enough and believes a strong law enforcement presence is needed at the school.

“K9 and extra police officers need to be brought in, no matter how long it takes to sniff the bags, do the cars, what have you. This needs to be done,” she said.

Stevens said she is speaking out about the issue because the wall of secrecy needs to come down.

“It’s hard. It’s hard, but in the end, you don’t want to be a parent that has to walk to your child’s grave,” she said.

Stevens said her daughter is doing well now and, with lots of help, they are taking recovery one day at a time. She said she will continue to speak out about what she says is a serious drug problem at the school.

Wake County school officials said they encourage any parent who believes their child might be using illegal substances to seek help from professionals, including pediatricians, physiologists or drug treatment professionals.

 Credits 

Copyright 2024 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.