Prevention is Key

Who’s at risk?

• Any body at any time!

Signs/symptoms

Signs:

• Appearance
• Declining grades
• Change in friends
• Change in behavior
• Loss of interest in activities

Symptoms:

• Fatigue
• Changes in weight
• Chronic cough
• Glassy, red eyes
• Silly or excited behavior for no apparent reason

**These lists are not inclusive and depend on the substance being used.**

What if you suspect use?

~Ask your child

~Check their text messages, voice mails, Facebook etc.

~Lock your alcohol, cigarettes and medications (prescription and over the counter)

~Watch for changes in your child’s behavior and daily life

~Crack down on your rules and expectations

~Talk to their friends and parents of their friends

~Get them drug tested

Talking points with kids

• 7^th grade – statistically when kids start using
• 90% - of addiction starts in teenage years
• 5^th grade – when kids get DARE education in schools

Younger kids (grades K-5):

Start with basic drug education and what drugs and alcohol do to your body.

Give kids examples of “correct” cigarette and alcohol use (legal age, moderation etc.)

Discuss different ways to have fun and reduce stress.

Stress to them that drug/alcohol use is not the norm.

If they ask you a question don’t be afraid to answer it honestly…ask someone if you need help how.

Older kids (grades 5-8):

If you have not already covered the K-5 points do so first.

Discuss legal aspects and ramifications of drug/alcohol use.

Discuss peer pressure to use and that drug/alcohol use is not the norm.

Discuss how their life could change if they begin using.

It is never too early to begin talking to your kids about drugs and alcohol.

Inhalants

Types: Sniffing, huffing, bagging, dusting

Effects: Loss of coordination, Memory impairment, Cardiovascular damage, CNS damage, Coma, Sudden death

Signs & Symptoms: Initial excitement followed by drowsiness, excessive sniffing, bloody nose, watery eyes, Headache, Slurred speech, Unconsciousness, Nausea & vomiting, Muscle cramps, Weakness/faintness, Choking
 

Products most commonly used: Typewriter correction fluid, air conditioning coolant, gasoline, propane, felt tip markers, spray paint, air freshener, butane, cooking spray, paint, air duster...commonly used products used in homes, garages and schools

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Spice

Slang: Algerian Blend, Genie, k2, Smoke, Chill X, Sense, Yucatan Fire, Spice Diamond, Spice Silver, Spice Gold.
Signs & Symptoms: Extreme anxiety and paranoia, hallucinations, increased blood pressure, vomitting, numb or tingling feeling, severe agitation, change in skin color, difficutly breathing, lack of eye convergence, rigid muscle tone, dizzy

**According to the American Poison Control Centers the country logged more than 6,300 calls about synthetic marijuana last year.

 

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Ecstasy

Slang: Hug Drug, Love Drug, Hug, Disco Biscuit, Adam, Beans 

Effects: Confusion , Increased heart rate, Cardiac toxicity, Increased blood pressure, Kidney failure, Liver toxicity
Signs & Symptoms: Blurred vision, Dilated pupils, Chills & sweating, Muscle tension, Insomnia, Faintness, Nausea, Involuntary teeth-clenching

Cocaine

Slang: Snow, coke, candy, blow, bump, C

Signs/symptoms: Increased heart rate, high blood pressure, increased temperature, sweaty, shaky, seizures, aggression, paranoia, anxiety, mania

Possible affects on body: Constricted blood vessels, increased risk of depression, damaged nasal septum, cardiac arrest, death

~Powder form is hydrochloride salt derive from the processed leaves of coca plant.

~Crack is a type of processed cocaine formed into a rock-like crystal.

Bath Salts

Slang: Bliss, Snow Blow, Cloud 9, Ivory Wave, Ocean burst, blizzard, blue silk, charge +, ivory snow, vanilla sky

Signs/symptoms: panic, anxiety, extreme paranoia, agitation, seizures, intense cravings for more, rapid heart rate, increased blood pressure, chest pains, delusions, hallucinations

Possible affects on body: Risk of stroke, risk of heart attack, sudden death, emotional & physical "crash like" feelings of depression, high risk of overdose

~Synthetic, stimulant powder substance that contains amphetamine-like chemicals, including mephedrone.

~Affects of bath salts have been compared to that of meth.

Marijuana

Slang: Mary Jane, bud, mj, blunt, reefer, weed, 420, pot, ganja, dope, herb, joint, green

Signs/symptoms: Shortened attention span and distractibility, anxiety and panic attacks, increased heart rate, dilated pupils, impaired coordination, chronic cough, weakened immune system, shortness of breath

Possible affects on body: Cancer, structural and functional brain deficits, weakened communication and verbal skills, lower learning capabilities, increased risk of depression and schizophrenia

~Nationally: Higher rate of illegal marijuana use among youth in medical marijuana states.

~Now known as a gateway drug.

~There are more teenagers in treatment for marijuana addiction than all other drugs combined.

Alcohol

Slang: Booze, hooch, drink, moonshine

Signs/symptoms: Slurred speech, impaired judgement, impaired decision making, loss of coordination, memory loss, vomiting, black outs

Possible affects on body: Depressant that affects every part of your body.  Alcohol travels through the bloodstream and affects your brain, liver function, stomach, kidney function and muscles.

~4X more likely to be alcohol dependent if start drinking before age 21 (fact is based on research showing how alcohol affects the brain-specifically the frontal lobe)

~Underage drinkers are 20% of the market

~Popular drinking games include Beer Pong & Flip Cup

Tobacco & Nicotine

Slang: Smokes, cigs, butts, chew, dip spit tobacco, snus, snuff

Signs/symptoms: Chronic cough, dry skin, yellow teeth & fingers, dry hair, difficutly catching breath

Possible affects on body: Harms immune system, various cancers, heart disease

New products on the market

Helpful Websites

theantidrug.com

abovetheinfluence.com

samhsa.gov

nacoa.org

thecoolspot.gov

toosmarttostart.samhsa.gov

afsp.org

drugabuse.gov

teens.drugabuse.gov

kidshealth.org

youthconnectionscoalition.org

doubt-it.org

easyread.drugabuse.gov

Basic Drug Information

□Most students experiment and/or begin to use drugs in the 7^th grade.

--Average student was 13 years or older when they first tried smoking

--Average student was 13 years or older when they had their first drink

--Average student was 13 years or older when they tried marijuana for the first time.

□90% of addiction starts in teenage years.

□A can of beer contains as much alcohol as a shot of liquor.

□1 marijuana joint = 5 cigarettes

□60-70% more likely to get cancer from marijuana

□Cigarettes have over 40 harmful chemicals

□Marijuana has over 400 harmful chemicals

Top Reasons for pre-teen use:

• Learned behavior from family
• Peer pressure
• Available
• Escape
• Boredom
• Curiosity

(List is not all inclusive)

Common signs for use:

• Appearance
• Declining grades
• Change in friends
• Change in behavior
• Loss of interest in activities

(List is not all inclusive)