Last week’s incident in which a 10-year-old brought marijuana to school signals a disturbing trend amongst juveniles in our society.

While the isolated incident does not necessarily indicate a widespread drug problem within Shelby County Schools, it does point to what law enforcement officials have been saying for years now: that kids are beginning to experiment with drugs at younger ages.

As Shelby County Sheriff Chris Curry said, kids no longer wait until high school to try drugs.

They often start during middle school and now elementary school.

It’s important for parents and teachers to remain aware of the fact that age is not a reliable factor in determining whether kids are using drugs.

As the 10-year-old who brought marijuana to school last week signals, drugs find their way into the hands of kids at all ages.

In today’s world, parents should discuss with their kids at least by middle school years the dangers of drug use.

Also, parents should educate themselves of the warning signs of drug use.

As last week’s anniversary of the Columbine massacre reminds us, kids no longer go to school in little red school houses in isolated small towns where life is safe and simple. Schools are often the initial staging ground of society’s gravest problems.

Parents must be vigilant in the fight against drugs by teaching their children to &uot;just say no.