Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School has long been celebrated for its academic rigor, athletic achievements, and vibrant extracurriculars. But beneath the surface lies a growing issue that many students and staff have observed—substance use. From the parking lot to the parties, substance use has become an alarming norm among certain groups, raising concerns about student health, safety, and the culture at LS.
To understand the student perspective, I interviewed two randomly selected LS students from each grade to gather their thoughts and experiences, along with Sarah Greeley, the LS Wellness teacher and new Substance Coordinator. Their input provides a candid look into the realities of substance use and its presence in school life. To ensure the interviews were unbiased and truthful, I approached random LS students in hallways or the library—choosing individuals I didn’t know personally to capture honest and diverse perspectives.
“Before football games, I’ve seen kids pregaming in the parking lot, drinking, and then throwing the bottles away before heading into the game,” said an 11th-grader. “Some of them even sneak vapes under their hoodies during the game. It’s pretty out in the open.”
This sentiment is echoed by students across grades, each observing different degrees of usage. A 9th-grader remarked, “I’ve seen some of the older kids drink at football games, but not really my grade yet. At parties, there’s not much drinking either—at least at the ones I’ve been to. But I’ve noticed some kids starting to use zyns.”
The normalization of substances like alcohol, nicotine, and marijuana seems to grow with each passing grade. According to a 10th-grader, “There’s a lot of peer pressure to drink in my grade. It’s not so much at football games but definitely at parties. Most of us started experimenting in 9th grade, and now a lot of kids in my grade drink—probably the majority.”
By the time students reach junior and senior year, substance use becomes more visible and deeply ingrained in the social scene. “Drinking feels pretty normal now,” shared a 12th-grader. “Every weekend, people look forward to getting drunk, pregaming football games, or celebrating events like senior dress-up day. I’ve even seen students high during school or using zyns in class.” Another senior reflected on how accepted these behaviors have become: “Senior dress-up day was wild—some students showed up smelling like alcohol and joking about it. It seemed like no one really cared.”
A striking observation from juniors and seniors is how substance use is present even during school hours. “In the bathrooms, you can smell weed or vape during the school day,” said an 11th-grader. “And some kids post about drinking and partying like it’s something to brag about.”
Recent data highlights a concerning trend: substance use at LS is notably higher than the MetroWest average. In 2023, 55% of LS students reported lifetime alcohol use compared to 40% of MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey (MWAHS) students. Similarly, lifetime marijuana use at LS stands at 27%, significantly higher than the MetroWest average of 18%. While MetroWest schools on average have seen a decline in these figures over the years, LS has remained relatively constant, suggesting that the culture around substance use at the school has not shifted significantly. Alarmingly, 10% of LS students reported coming to school drunk or high at least once in their lifetime, further emphasizing the need for the community to address this issue proactively. These statistics reveal the persistent normalization of substance use at LS compared to regional peers.
For Substance Coordinator and Wellness teacher Sarah Greeley, these behaviors aren’t surprising but remain deeply concerning. “As students get older, they have more opportunities to use. There’s a mix of increased independence and social pressures, which creates a dangerous combination,” she explained. “We want students to make safe decisions because we worry about what could happen—getting hurt, getting in legal trouble, or worse.”
Greeley also emphasized how substance use can impact students who choose not to partake. “Even if you’re not using, you might be worried about a friend, lying for someone, or dealing with the fallout of someone else’s choices. These distractions can take a toll on mental health and academic performance.”
While the pandemic years saw some shifts in trends, Greeley noted that vaping products have sustained their grip on students. “The push from electronic vaping products was massive before COVID, and it continued during and after. Their ease of access makes them especially dangerous.”
Addressing substance use at LS isn’t just about policy enforcement; it’s about cultural change. Greeley believes it requires a collective effort from students, parents, staff, and the broader community. “Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), after-school programs, and counseling are all parts of the solution, but real change needs everyone involved.”
Despite the grim realities, many students remain hopeful for change. A 10th-grader said, “There’s a lot of peer pressure now, but I think if more of us talked about how it’s okay not to drink or vape, it might help people think twice.”
The substance use culture at LS is a wake-up call for the community. While some students may see it as just another part of high school life, the ripple effects—from mental health struggles to impaired academic performance—are far-reaching. As Greeley put it, “We’re not here to judge anyone. We’re here to help. If you think you have a problem or know someone who does, reach out. There are resources, and there’s always hope.”
Ultimately, LS faces a choice: Will it allow substance use to continue to shape its culture, or will it take meaningful steps to address the issue? The answer lies in the hands of the students, staff, and families who make up this community.
