Where do slightly brain damaged teens go to school or do they?

Most public schools have support systems for students with learning disabilities. The first step would be to ask what their procedure is for diagnosing a disability. If a disability is found, then they will make reasonable accommodations to help the kid succeed in a mainstream setting (providing assistants, for example, or allowing additional time for tests, etc.).

ok; but would a teen who was an A student all his life who took a drug combo and is now brain damaged be said to have learning disabilities?

Sure. Any condition that impairs learning, even if it’s recently acquired, is a learning disability.

Everyone is entitled to “a free and appropriate education.” I would suggest you request (in writing, ask for their official form) an IEP (individualized education plan.) From there, the administrators, along with the school psychologist can figure out how to proceed.
Be ready for a fight. These things cost money and they will try to discourage you but legally if you request an IEP (in writing) they have to proceed with the testing and give you a written reason why they refuse if they do.
When my son was young and was very smart but with severe emotional disabilities they threatened that if he had an IEP they would have to put him in Special Education classes. I screamed, “what does the “I” stand for???”
We ended up going a different track but schools understand the law better now and I hope you have way more luck than I did. My son is 29 now so that was a long time ago.

Our public schools have special needs classes for thing’s like that, or if you have money, you can choose a private education.

It isn’t my child.

A student with a SLIGHT TBI (traumatic brain injury) would probably still be able to take their regular classes—they’d just need help in the areas where they are now struggling. If they have severe TBI, they’d have to re-learn things and for a year or two they might be in a physical rehab type place instead of school.

I knew someone who had a drug overdose and had a stroke. Aside from a speech impediment, wonky eye movements, and a stiffness on their left side, they could do what they did before. They were out of school, but it’s not like their life was over.

In our high school district they do testing on any student with physical or mental problems and, with parents, special Ed. teachers, and psychologists make an Individual educational plan (I.E.P) for the student. This aims to keep the student in the main stream a program as much as possible. A student may have as little as one period a day in Special Ed to full time Special Ed. There are also private schools for the kids you are talking about.

I remember my school having a special needs class. I’m not sure what the cutoff was for the class but if the kid is functional enough to talk and walk, I’m sure there is a place for him in school.

Even if they cannot walk and talk, they can be in school. It’s the law that public schools accommodate all children.

This question irks me somewhat because the disabilities mentioned are very minor compared to what it could be. They won’t kick you out of school because you don’t pay attention quite as well as you used to.