Rodney Poole, a substance abuse prevention specialist for the past 14 years, is on campus this week meeting with all grade levels. 

He will speak with freshmen and sophomores during their seminar blocks. The sophomore, junior, and senior classes each will also meet with him in separate sessions. He also will meet with parents on Thursday, December 11. 

Mr. Poole’s message is filled with warnings but also encouragement. 

“No one came to my school and provided concrete, research-based reasons why substance use during the teenage years may be a very unhealthy choice,” he said by email before his visit to campus. “I provide that information to current students and adults. My goal is to educate young people on the risks of underage alcohol and other drug use so that if they find themselves in a situation, they will be able to make informed decisions. I also want to encourage young people to realize that they can get help to quit using and live amazing lives without substances. I am living proof.” 

He said he is in his “34th year of continual ongoing recovery.”  

“After wasting four years of high school,” he said, “and possibly losing the opportunity to play Division I football, I slipped further into active addiction after high school. I lost jobs, ruined relationships, and finally became homeless. I saw four out of five people I used drugs with pass away. After the last one died, I knew I needed to make some changes or I was probably going to die as well. I was court-ordered to attend an intensive outpatient treatment program. That was the beginning of this recovery journey.” 

Now he journeys to schools all over the country to spread a message. He’s also spoken with students in Southeast Asia. 

His visit to Loomis Chaffee was arranged by Jessica Matzkin, the director of well-being. “We want to make sure we’re having real conversations with our students about the health and wellness challenges they face every day,” she said. “Talking about substance use and addiction early matters — it shapes the choices they make. Rodney brings incredible experience and a natural ability to connect with teens.  We’re confident this program will make a big difference.” 

Rodney said that many young people today are becoming more mindful of their “health and healthy behavior.” 

“We are seeing declines in underage binge drinking even at the college level,” Rodney said. “Even with the change in social norms, there is still much work to do.”   

The landscape has changed quite a bit in the years since he began working in this field, he said.  

“I have noticed an increased level of access to substances via online sellers,” he said. “I have seen the rise in popularity of electronic cigarettes and the current change in students’ perceptions about vaping. Research is dispelling the myth that electronic cigarettes can be used with minimal health risks.” 

He also noted the decline in the “perception of harm” from marijuana among teens and adults at a time “the potency of cannabis continues to increase.” 

The fentanyl crisis, he said, has significantly changed the drug landscape, including the amount of deaths among youth. “We lose the equivalent of a high school classroom each week to fentanyl overdose/poisonings deaths,” he said.    

His hope is that students leave his sessions with many takeaways, including these: 

• The human brain does not complete development until our mid-20s. Using drugs as a teen can interfere with brain growth, learning, and decision-making. 

• Even occasional use can cause harm. Using drugs especially as a teen increases risks to health, safety, and school performance. 

• Drugs affect both mental and physical health. Substance use can affect mood, memory, lungs, heart, sleep, and overall energy. 

• Drug use increases risky and unsafe behaviors. Impaired judgment raises the risk of accidents, injuries, unhealthy decisions, and dangerous situations. 

• Choices now can affect your future. Underage alcohol and other drug use can lead to academic, legal, and athletic consequences that limit opportunities. 

• The majority of students are not using substances. 

• Surrounding yourself with peers who are not using reduces the likelihood that you will use. You can still make friends and have amazing experiences without getting high. 

• There is no shame in reaching out for support to quit. The earlier the better.