School nurses deal with countless amounts of children on a daily basis. Children come to them for something as simple as needing a band aid or something as complicated as emotional issues. Being able to talk to them first hand allows them insight to their emotional and physical health. School nurses can see if a child is struggling with something, like addiction, and can get them the help that they need.

Addiction can be developed at any age, even school aged children. It is not uncommon for children to begin experimenting with drugs or alcohol as early as 11 or 12 years old. When they do begin using drugs, it is very likely they will start to show symptoms. These symptoms include a drop in grades, failing classes, falling asleep in class, being uninterested in school sports or activities. Other physical symptoms include muscle pains, frequent headaches or irritability.

When students begin to exhibit these symptoms, it is very likely that they will be sent to the nurses office by their teachers. The nurse can then address the problem and get the student the help he or she needs in order to overcome the addiction.

School nurses are also very helpful in preventing addiction from ever occurring. Most offices have educational material on the disease available for children to read and absorb. Learning about the problem can stop it before it begins.