Informative Substance Abuse HOT Topics

HOT Topic Fast Facts

Take the time to know the facts, think and act responsibly to help prevent you, your family and your friends from becoming the next alcohol or drug-related statistic. 

Alcohol is the #1 drug of abuse in the United States. It is also the #1 drug of choice for youth. The average age for first time alcohol use is 11.5 years of age.  According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, kids who begin drinking before age 15 are four times as likely to become alcoholics as those who wait until they are age 21.

Alcohol is a factor in the four leading causes of death among persons age 10-24: motor vehicle crashes, unintentional injuries, homicide and suicide.  Alcohol abuse is linked to as many as two-thirds of all sexual assaults and date rapes of teens and college students. Alcohol is a major factor in unprotected sex among youth, increasing the risk of contracting HIV or other transmitted diseases. (National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc.)

About three in every ten Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash at some time of their lives. An alcohol-related traffic fatality occurred on an average of every 30 minutes in America in 2002. Even though most teens know that you should not drink and drive, nearly one-third still accept rides from drivers who have been drinking. (NTSA-National Highway Safety Administration, 2001)

Beer and wine are not "safer" to drink than liquor.  A 12 ounce beer has about as much alcohol as a 1.5 ounce shot of 80-proof distilled liquor or spirits, a 5 ounce glass of wine or a wine cooler - all of which contain the same amount of alcohol. (NTSA, 2002)

Beer is the drink most commonly consumed by 80 percent of people stopped for alcohol-impaired driving or involved in alcohol-related crashes, followed by liquor/wine at 20 percent. (IIHS-Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 2003)

The speed of alcohol absorption affects the rate at which one becomes drunk. Unlike foods, alcohol does not have to be slowly ingested. As a person drinks faster than the alcohol can be eliminated, the drug accumulates in the body resulting in higher levels of alcohol in the blood (Narcotic Education Foundation of America, 2002)

The average person metabolizes alcohol at the rate of about one drink per hour. Only time will sober a person up. Drinking strong coffee, exercising or taking a cold shower will not help.  (2002 Michigan State University study)

FACTS ABOUT ADDICTION

A person's body adjusts to harmful elements it is exposed to, even though it knows they may be extremely harmful.  Each cigarette smoked etches permanent biochemical changes in your brain which enable you to tolerate more and more of the poisonous compound.  It distributes hormones and chemicals to oppose the real and negative effects of nicotine, even when you just think about having a smoke. 

Your body would also mount a similar response if you were shooting dope or taking Valium every day. This physiological response is an example of the body's resilience and capacity for adaptation. This adaptation is what leads to addiction. 

Dopamine neurons are a cluster of cells that evolve over millions of years to reward activities that we find pleasing. Activation of this pleasure or reward circuit would also cause a cascade of biochemical changes in your brain cells, creating a memory of the event and the motivation to do it again. Virtually every psychoactive drug capable of being abused lights up the dopamine neuron. That is why drugs are so compelling.  They directly activate this "please center" in the much the same way sexual activity does. Only, many drugs do it even better. 

For example, one study tested the desirability of drugs by allowing laboratory animals to self-administer drugs at will by pushing a lever that gives a little jolt of the substance. The most powerful reinforcement was the electrical stimulation of the brain. Animals hooked up to the electrodes that provide mild stimulation of the reward center will buzz themselves until they die. This study showed that once someone is addicted, losing that reinforcement may be a fate worse than death. Unfortunately, death is what usually ensues. 

There is evidence that shows that addiction can be genetically or environmentally inherited. Research done by the National Institute for Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism shows that the risk that a person will abuse alcohol more than doubles for those who begin drinking before the age of 15, compared to those who start at 21. The study published in the January 2000 issue of the Journal of Substance Abuse also found that:

• More than 40% of people who begin drinking before 15 become alcoholics.
• In contrast, about 25% of those who began drinking at 17 became alcoholics and only 10% of those who began drinking between the ages of 21 and 22 became alcoholics.
• Overall, for each year one puts off having his or her first drink, the risk for alcohol-dependence drops by 14%. That is a good incentive to educate your kids.

FACTS ABOUT ALCOHOL

Alcohol depresses the central nervous system, lowers inhibitions, impairs judgment and affects the brain, body and self-control. It can damage every organ in the body as is absorbed directly into the bloodstream. Drinking alcohol leads to a loss of coordination, slowed reflexes, distorted vision, memory lapses and even blackouts. Drinking can also lead to risky behaviors, including having unprotected sex, an unplanned pregnancy and the risk of exposure to HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. Slang terms for alcohol include booze, sauce, brews, brewskis, hooch, hard stuff, juice.

Alcohol has a greater impact on the mental and physical well-being of teens, as their bodies are still growing. Those who began drinking before age 15 are four times more likely to develop alcoholism than those who begin at age 21. In 1998, 35.8 percent of traffic deaths of 15 to 20 year olds were alcohol related. Teens are also more likely to engage in "binge" drinking - having five or more drinks on one occasion. Large amounts of alcohol can lead to coma or even death.

Mixing alcohol with medications or illicit drugs is extremely dangerous and can lead to accidental death. Alcohol-medication interactions may be a factor in at least 25 percent of emergency room admissions. One drink can also make you fail a breath test, resulting in losing your driver's license, be subject to a heavy fine or a jail sentence.

Signs of alcohol addiction may include: Getting drunk on a regular basis; lying about how much alcohol is consumed; believing that alcohol is necessary to have fun; having frequent hangovers; feeling run down, depressed or even suicidal; having "blackouts" while drinking; having problems at school, home or work; getting in trouble with the law.

(SAMHSA Center for Substance Abuse Prevention's TIPS FOR TEENS)

FACTS ABOUT CLUB DRUGS

Popular Club Drug Slang Terms - Ecstasy: E, X, XTC   GHB: Liquid Ecstasy, Liquid X, Grievous Body Harm, Georgia Home Boy  Ketamine: K, Special K, Ket, Vitamin K, Kit Kat.  Rohypnol: Roofies, R-2

The term "club drugs" refers to a wide variety of drugs often used at all-night dance parties or "raves," nightclubs, and concerts. Most club drugs are odorless and tasteless. Some are made into powder form that makes it easier to slip into a drink and dissolve without a person's knowledge.

Club drugs can be addictive. They damage the neurons in the brain, impairing senses, memory, judgment and coordination. Different club drugs have different effects on the body - some common effects include loss of muscle and motor control, blurred vision and brain seizures. Club drugs like ecstasy are stimulants that increase heart rate and blood pressure and can lead to heart or kidney failure. Other club drugs like GHB are depressants that can cause drowsiness, unconsciousness or breathing problems.

Club drugs like GHB and Rohypnol are used in date rape and other assaults because they are sedatives. Rohypnol can cause a kind of amnesia - users may not remember what they said or did while under effects of the drug. Because club drugs are illegal and often produced in makeshift labs, it is impossible to know what chemicals were used to produce them. How strong or dangerous any illegal drug is varies each time. 

The club drug scene is constantly changing. New drugs and new variations of drugs appear all the time. Mixing club drugs together is extremely dangerous because the effects of one drug can magnify the effects/risks of another. Mixing substances can be lethal. Warning signs of club drugs include: problems remembering things recently said or done; loss of coordination, dizziness, fainting; depression; confusion; sleep problems; chills or sweating; slurred speech. 

(SAMHSA Center for Substance Abuse Prevention's TIPS FOR TEENS)

FACTS ABOUT COCAINE AND CRACK

Cocaine is a white powder that comes from the leaves of the South American coca plant. Cocaine is either "snorted" through the nasal passages or injected intravenously. Users call it by a variety of names including coke, C, snow, blow, toot, nose candy, flake and The Lady. Cocaine belongs to a class of drugs known as stimulants, which tend to give a temporary illusion of limitless power and energy that leaves the user feeling depressed, edgy and craving more. 

Crack is a form of cocaine that has been chemically altered so that it can be smoked. Cocaine and crack are highly addictive. This addiction can erode physical and mental health and can become so strong that these drugs dominate all aspects of an addict's life. People under the influence of crack and cocaine do risky things they later regret. As a result, cocaine and crack use has been a contributing factor in a number of drownings, car crashes, falls, burns and suicides. 

What are the physical risks associated with using any amount of cocaine and crack?
Increases in blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate and body temperature
Heart attacks, brain seizures, strokes and respiratory failure (even for first time users)
Injecting cocaine can give you hepatitis or AIDS through shared needles
Reduction of the body's ability to resist and combat infection

What are the psychological risks of using cocaine and crack?
Violent, erratic or paranoid behavior
Hallucinations and "coke bugs" - a sensation of imaginary insects crawling over the skin
Confusion, anxiety and depression, loss of interest in food or sex
"Cocaine Psychosis" - losing touch with reality, loss of interest in friends, family, sports, hobbies, other activities

MYTH: Crack and Cocaine enhance sexual pleasure   FACT: Addicts often become unable to function sexually

(SAMHSA Center for Substance Abuse Prevention's TIPS FOR TEENS)

FACTS ABOUT HALLUCINOGENS  (also see Facts About Club Drugs)

Hallucinogens are powerful mind-altering drugs that affect your brain, altering how it perceives time, reality and the environment around you. They also distort your perception of reality, affect how you move, react to situations, think, hear and see so that you may think you are hearing voices, seeing images and feeling things that do not exist. 

Hallucinogens affect your heart, well-being and self-control. Use of hallucinogens leads to an increase in heart rate and blood pressure which may result in coma, cause heart and lung failure. The use of hallucinogens may change the way you feel emotionally, causing feelings of confusion, suspicion and disorientation. The impact of hallucinogen drugs varies from time to time, so there is no way to know how much self-control you may maintain. Flashbacks and hallucinations can occur weeks, months or even years after use of these drugs. It is easy to quickly develop tolerance to hallucinogens so that it takes more of the drug each time to get the same effect.

Slang terms for this family of drugs include Lysergic acid diethylamide: LSD, Acid, Blotter. Psilocybin: Magic Mushrooms, Shrooms. Phencyclidine: PCP, Angel Dust, Boat, Ozone, Wack. Ecstasy: E, X, XTC.

Warning signs of Hallucinogen drug use: Depression, weakness or lack of muscular coordination, anxiety or paranoia, trembling, nausea, dizziness, facial flushing, dilated pupils.

(SAMHSA Center for Substance Abuse Prevention's TIPS FOR TEENS)

FACTS ABOUT HEROIN

Heroin is a highly addictive illegal Schedule I drug in the group of the most highly addictive drugs. Because the strength of heroin varies and its impact is even more unpredictable when used with alcohol and other drugs, the user never knows what might happen with the next dose. It is one of the top three frequently reported drugs by medical examiners in drug abuse deaths.  Slang terms for Heroin are: smack, horse, mud, brown sugar, junk, black tar, big H, dope, skag.

Heroin enters the brain rapidly and particularly affects those regions of the brain responsible for producing physical dependence. It enters the neurons or cells of the brain and changes the speed of the chemicals in the brain, not only affecting the brain physically but also slowing down the way you think, act and make decisions. Despite the glamorization of "heroin chic" in film, fashion and music industries, its use can have tragic consequences that extend far beyond its users - fetal effects, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, violence and crime area all linked to its use.

Signs and symptoms of heroin use are: euphoria, drowsiness, impaired mental functioning, slowed down respiration, constricted pupils, nausea: Signs of a heroin overdose include: shallow breathing, pinpoint pupils, clammy skin, convulsions, coma.

(SAMHSA Center for Substance Abuse Prevention's TIPS FOR TEENS)

FACTS ABOUT INHALANTS OR HUFFING

Inhalants are substances or fumes from products such as glue or paint thinner that are sniffed or "huffed" to cause an immediate high. Because they affect the brain with much greater speed and force than many other substances, they can cause irreversible physical and mental damage before you know what has happened. Inhalants starve the body of oxygen and force the heart to beat irregularly and more rapidly. Inhalants can kill you the very first time you use them.

Inhalants include a large group of chemicals that are found in household products such as aerosol sprays, cleaning fluids, glue, paint, paint thinner, gasoline, propane, nail polish remover, correction fluid, and marker pens. None of these are safe to inhale - they all can kill you. Chemicals like amyl nitrate and isobutyl nitrate ("poppers") and nitrous oxide ("whippets") are often sold at concerts and dance clubs - they can permanently damage your body and brain. Slang terms for inhalants include: glue, kick, bang, sniff, huff, poppers, whippets, Texas shoe-shine. 

People who use inhalants can lose their sense of smell, experience nausea and nosebleeds and develop liver, lung and kidney problems.. Chronic inhalant abusers may permanently lose the ability to perform everyday functions like walking, talking and thinking and suffer brain damage, nervous system damage and even death. 

According to medical experts, death from inhalants can occur in at least five ways: Asphyxia - solvent gases can significantly limit available oxygen, causing breathing to stop; Suffocation - typically seen with inhalant users who use bags; Choking on vomit; Careless and dangerous behaviors in potentially dangerous settings and Sudden shiffing death syndrome, presumably from cardiac arrest. 

Warning signs of inhalant abuse include: slurred speech; drunk, dizzy or dazed appearance; unusual breath odor; chemical smell on clothing; paint stains; red eyes; runny nose.

(SAMHSA Center for Substance Abuse Prevention's TIPS FOR TEENS)

FACTS ABOUT MARIJUANA

Marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug in the United States and tends to be the first illegal drug most teens use, next to alcohol. Teens who smoke marijuana are more likely to try other drugs, in part because they have more contact with people who use and sell them.

The active ingredient in marijuana, THC, affects the nerve cells in the part of the brain where memories are formed. Use of marijuana has several negative physical and mental effects including impairment of short-term memory and comprehension, altered sense of time and reduced ability to perform tasks requiring concentration and coordination, such as driving a car. 

There are many different slang names for Marijuana. Slang terms for drugs change quickly, and they vary from one part of the country to another. They may even differ across sections of a large city. Terms from years ago such as pot, joint, herb, grass, weed, MaryJane and reefer are still used. You might also hear names like Aunt Mary, skunk, boom, blunt gangster, kif, nail, roach or ganja. The National Institute on Drug Abuse also lists street names for different strains or brands of marijuana including "Texas tea," "Maui wowie," and "Chronic." A recent book of American slang lists more than 200 terms for various kinds of marijuana.

Marijuana can be addictive. There are more than 400 known chemicals in marijuana. A single joint contains four times as much cancer-causing tar as a filtered cigarette. It can also be laced with other dangerous drugs without your knowledge. "Blunts" - hollowed out cigars filled with marijuana - sometimes have substances such as crack cocaine, PCP or embalming fluid added. 

Short term effects of using marijuana include:
Sleepiness and increased hunger
Difficulty keeping track of time, impaired or reduced short-term memory
Reduced ability to perform tasks requiring concentration and coordination
Increased heart rate, potential cardiac dangers for those with heart disease
Bloodshot eyes
Decreased social inhibitions
Risk of paranoia, hallucinations, intense anxiety
Body's limited ability to fight off infection

Long term effects of using marijuana include:
Increased risk of pulmonary disorders, including cancer, and certain mental illnesses
Decrease in testosterone levels for men - Increase in testosterone levels for women
Lower sperm counts and difficulty having children in men
Increased risk of fertility in women
Diminished or extinguished sexual pleasure
Psychological dependence requiring more of the drug to get the same effect

Warning signs of marijuana use: seeming dizzy and having trouble walking; having bloodshot eyes, smelly hair and clothes; having a hard time remembering things that just happened; acting silly for no apparent reason.

(SAMHSA Center for Substance Abuse Prevention's TIPS FOR TEENS)

FACTS ABOUT METHAMPHETAMINE

Methamphetamine is a powerful and addictive speed drug that affects your brain and your body. Its use creates a false sense of energy, pushing the body further and faster than it is meant to go, increasing the heart rate, blood pressure, risk of stroke. Slang terms for Meth use include speed, meth, crystal, crank, tweak, go-fast, ice, glass, uppers, black beauties.

Methamphetamine is illegal in all states and highly dangerous. Meth can cause a severe crash after the effects wear off as well as irreversible damage to blood vessels in the brain.  In the short term, meth causes mind and mood changes such as anxiety, euphoria and depression. Long-term effects can include liver, kidney and lung damage, chronic fatigue, paranoid or delusional thinking and permanent psychological damage. Users who inject the drug and share needles are at risk for HIV/AIDS. The ignitable, corrosive and toxic nature of the chemicals used to produce meth can cause fires, produce toxic vapors and damage the environment. Ninety-two percent of meth deaths reported in 1994 involved meth in combination with another drug, such as alcohol, heroin or cocaine.

Symptoms of methamphetamine use may include:
Irritability, dizziness or confusion, Inability to sleep
Increased sensitivity to noise
Nervous physical activity, like scratching
Extreme anorexia
Tremors or even convulsions
Increased heart rate, blood pressure and risk of stroke
Presence of inhaling paraphernalia such as razor blades, mirrors and straws
Presence of injecting paraphernalia such as syringes, heated spoons or surgical tubing

(SAMHSA Center for Substance Abuse Prevention's TIPS FOR TEENS)

FACTS ABOUT TOBACCO

Addiction to tobacco is hard to control and it is highly damaging to your health. Cigarettes contain nicotine, a powerfully addictive substance. Smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in this country. More than 400,000 Americans die from tobacco-related causes each year, and most of them began using tobacco before the age of 18. 

Smoking is particularly harmful for teens because their bodies are still growing and changing yet each day more than 3,000 people under age 18 become regular smokers. That is more than 1 million teens per year. The 200 known poisons in cigarette smoke affect normal development and can cause life-threatening diseases such as chronic bronchitis, heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, cancer of the mouth, throat, bladder, pancreas and kidney. Smokeless tobacco can cause mouth cancer, tooth loss and other serious health problems. Slang terms for cigarettes include: smokes, cigs, butts. Smokeless tobacco: chew, dip, spit tobacco, snuff.

Signs of tobacco use may include: Wheezing, coughing, bad breath, smelly hair or clothing; Yellow-stained teeth and fingers: Frequent colds and decreased senses of smell and taste; Difficulty keeping up with sports and athletic activities; Bleeding gums and frequent mouth sores (smokeless tobacco)

(SAMHSA Center for Substance Abuse Prevention's TIPS FOR TEENS)

FACTORS AND BENEFITS OF STAYING DRUG, ALCOHOL & TOBACCO FREE

Here are some factors to consider for "not using" drugs, alcohol and tobacco:

- Won't get arrested for underage drinking, smoking or for the possession of illegal drugs.

- Won't become an alcoholic, a chain-smoker or addicted to drugs.

- Won't be driving a car while under the influence of alcohol or drugs and risk causing a serious crash.

- Won't get violent due to being drunk.

- Will learn how to deal with life's problems in a healthy way instead of using chemical crutches to escape them.

- Won't lose a job because the boss smells alcohol on your breath or wonders why you can't concentrate on what you're doing.

- Won't get pregnant (or get a girl pregnant) while under the influence.

- Won't get HIV or other STDs due to sex while under the influence.

- Won't have to lie to your parents about whether you were drinking, smoking or doing drugs.

- Won't lose your parents' trust if you get caught.

- Will be less likely to say or do things you might regret later.

- Will feel good that you have made the choices you believe in.

- Won't have to hide the fact that you're drinking, smoking or doing drugs from friends and people at school or in your faith community.

- Because you can have a lot of fun without it.

- Because you won't do the stupid things people do when they are drunk or high.

- Because you are following what your faith tradition teaches about taking care of your body and your mind.

(Taken from: Pathways to Prevention - Guiding Youth to Wise Decisions. A Prevention Guide for Youth Leaders in Faith Communities)

FIVE BASICS OF PARENTING ADOLESCENTS

1. Love and Connect - Watch for moments to express genuine affection, respect and appreciation for your teen. Spend time just listening to your teen's thoughts and feelings. Expect increased criticism and debate and strengthen your skills for discussing disagreements.

2. Monitor and Observe - Keep track of your teen's whereabouts. Involve yourself in school events and keep in touch with other adults, especially parents of your teen's friends. Learn and watch for warning signs of poor physical or mental health, signs of abuse or neglect.

3. Guide and Limit - Maintain family rules with some non-negotiable rules for safety and values, while leaving room to negotiate about rules concerning tasks and schedules. Communicate expectations that are high, but realistic. Use discipline as a tool for teaching, not revenge.

4. Model and Consult - Set a good example when it comes to risk taking, health habits and emotional control. Express personal opinions about social, political, moral and spiritual issues. Answer teens' questions in ways that are truthful, while taking into account their level of maturity. Help teens get information about education, employment and lifestyle choices.

5. Provide and Advocate - Network within the community, schools and social services for resources that can provide positive adult and peer relationships, guidance, training and activities for your teen. Make informed decisions for schools and educational programs, taking into account such issues as safety, social climate, opportunities for peer relationships and mentoring.

(Source: Raising Teens: A Synthesis of Research/Foundation for Action by Rae Simpson, PH.D., Project on Parenting Adolescents, Center for Health Communication, Harvard School of Public Health, 2004)

GETTING HOOKED ON COLD & COUGH MEDICINE – An Alarming New Drug Abuse Trend Called “Dexing” or “Robotripping”

Joel Cahoon, 16-years-old and now in rehab, says his drug problem turned worse the day he ran out of marijuana. That's when a friend suggested stealing cold and cough medication from a grocery store. “I was a little confused about it at first,” says Cahoon. “I didn't think cough and cold medicine would be able to do anything but I’d be so messed up and so out of it that I couldn’t even talk to anybody.”

It's an alarming new drug abuse trend among young people called "Dexing", or "Robotripping", when Robitussin cough syrup is used by kids as young as 12, as a mind-altering recreational drug. Coricidin Cough and Cold Tablets, and more specifically their cough suppressant, dextromethorphan, or DXM, became Cahoon's drug of choice. When taken in big doses, DXM can cause hallucinations, heart problems. 

Across the country, drug experts say the number of teens abusing over the counter cold medications is on the rise. Why? The ingredient teens seek to get high can be found in over 100 products right in the local pharmacy. Federal health officials aren't officially tracking the problem yet. Meanwhile, doctors at an emergency room outside of Chicago say they see four to five overdose cases a week -- many of them young people.

One big reason is the Internet. Some Web sites have instructions about how much DMX to take to get high. Information on how to abuse it is readily available, and controls on its availability are not what they should be. Some drugstores are placing cold medication behind the counter. And some manufacturers are making bigger packages which are more difficult to shoplift.

The makers of Robitussin say the product is not the problem. "Cough syrup is just one of many household products abused by young people."  Coricidin's manufacturers said their product "meets an important medical need." And ..."it is safe and effective when taken as directed."

Cahoon, who's been in and out of rehab a year and a half now, hopes he's finally beaten his addiction.  “I was killing myself, you know,” says Cahoon. “I didn't even think I was trying to commit suicide but I was.”  He was using a product most people take to fight the common cold as a weapon.

(Source: MSNBC 2006 – Story by NBC News Correspondent Ron Allen)

GIVE YOUR CHILDREN HOLIDAY PRESENCE THIS YEAR  

This holiday season, parents are urged to give their children the priceless gift of time by scheduling meaningful family time together and remaining involved in their lives. Involved parents remain the number one factor in preventing teen drug use and other risky behaviors. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, more than 4,700 teens under age 18 try marijuana for the first time each day. Two-thirds of youth age 13-17 report that upsetting their parents or losing the respect of family and friends are the main reasons they do not smoke marijuana or use other drugs.

Family activities provide parents with natural opportunities to communicate important messages about staying drug-free, while also enhancing relationships. Parents can also help keep their kids drug-free by monitoring where they are and who they are with, and setting rules with clear consequences. Lower levels of drug use were found among teens whose parents monitor their activities and peer relationships, limited time spent watching TV, gave them responsibilities around the house, and recognized their teen's successes and good behaviors.

Parents - invite your kids to spend some one-on-one time with you. Your gift of time will last long after the holidays are over and have lifelong benefits!

GUIDELINES TO HELP KIDS SAY NO TO DRUGS

Parents are responsible for setting guidelines and rules for children to follow.  When it comes to alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, strict guidelines are only half the battle.  Parents must also be prepared to enforce penalties when the rules are broken.  Some good standards to go by are as follows:

• Be Specific:  Explain the reasons behind the rules.  Tell your child what the rules are and what behavior is expected.  Discuss the consequences of the breaking the rules and be clear what the punishment will be.
• Be Consistent:  Make it clear to your child that a no-alcohol/no-drug use rule remains the consistent at all times and in all locations - in your own home, in a friend's home or anywhere the child goes.
• Be Reasonable:  Don't add new consequences not previously discussed before the rule was broken.  Avoid unrealistic threats such as, "Your father will kill you when he gets home."  Instead, react calmly and carry out the punishment the child expects for breaking the rule.

Parents need to be informed about alcohol , tobacco and other drugs so that they can communicate to their children with current and correct information.  If parents have a working knowledge of common drugs - knowing their effects on the mind and body as well as  symptoms of their use - the subject can be discussed intelligently with children.  Well- informed parents are better able to recognize if a child is exhibiting symptoms of alcohol or drug-related problems. 

At minimum, parents should:

• know different types of drugs and alcohol most commonly used and the dangers associated with each
• be able to identify paraphernalia associated with drugs
• be familiar with the street names of drugs
• know what drugs look like
• know the signs of alcohol and other drug use and be alert for changes in your child's behavior or appearance.
• know how to get help promptly if you suspect your child may be using alcohol and/or other drugs

Parents need to understand that:

• 4.6 million teenagers have a drinking problem
• 4% of high school seniors drink alcohol every day
• Young people who use alcohol at an early age are more likely to use alcohol heavily and to have alcohol-related problems; they are also more likely to use other drugs and get into trouble with the law
• 18% of high school seniors are daily smokers; 11% smoke 10 or more cigarettes per day
• Young people who use cigarettes are also at greater risk for other drug use
• 70% of all children try cigarettes, 40% of them before high school

Often there are warning signs parents can look for to make sure their teens are not using drugs or alcohol.  Not all of  the warning signs mean that your teen is abusing drugs; however it is best not ignore any tell-tale signs of possible teenage drug abuse.  A good rule of thumb is that if  3 or more of the following signs are present over a period of time, you should talk to your child and seek professional help. 

• loss of interest in family activities
• disrespect for family rules
• withdrawal from responsibilities
• verbal or physical abusive behavior
• sudden increase or decrease in appetite
• disappearance of valuable items or money
• not coming home on time
• not telling you where they are going
• constant excuses for behavior
• spending a lot of time in their rooms
• lying about activities
• finding cigarette rolling paper, pipes, roach clips, small glass vials, plastic baggies, remnants of drugs 

HAVE A SAFE AND SOBER HOLIDAY

What comes to mind when you think of the holidays? Sitting in front of a warm glowing fire? Spending time with loved ones? Eating too much? Where does substance use fit into this picture?

Holiday parties give people more chances to use drugs and alcohol. The result is an increase in drug- and alcohol-related tragedies. According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, at least 50 percent of all deadly car crashes that take place during the holiday season involve alcohol.

These factors may mean that your child is more exposed to substance abuse—whether it’s an uncle who drinks too much during your holiday dinner or a friend who offers your child pot at a New Year’s Eve party. The incidence of alcohol poisoning of children is common during the holiday season. So, during this time, it is especially important that parents keep their children safe and talk with them about staying away from drugs and alcohol.

Holiday Celebration Tips

Let your child know what you expect. Tell your child that adults may be drinking during the holidays but under no circumstances is she allowed to drink alcohol.

At your holiday gatherings, offer plenty of nonalcoholic foods, drinks, and activities.

To lower the risk of alcohol poisoning, be sure to throw out partly empty alcoholic drinks. Children love to imitate adults, and if they have access to leftover drinks, they may taste the contents.

Have a plan in place about what you and your family will do if you are at a party where there are people who have had too much to drink.

Model responsible behavior by making sure that guests who have been drinking do not drive.

Why not create some substance-free holiday traditions for your family? It’s a great way to show your child that you can have fun during the holidays without alcohol or drugs.

Alcohol-Free Holiday Tips

Plan a nonalcoholic holiday party with your child so children learn that they can have fun without alcohol. Send out invitations with alcohol- and drug-free messages on them, and make sure the guests know that yours will be a substance-free event.

For your holiday meal, let your child help you prepare and serve traditional drinks without alcohol. You can make nonalcoholic cider, eggnog, or punch. Look for recipes for nonalcoholic beverages like the ones found in these party planning tips.

Make sure your holiday festivities involve lots of delicious—and nonalcoholic—food, which your child can help you make.

If your older child is going to a holiday event, call ahead to make sure that the event will be alcohol and drug free. Check in with the party planners to see what measures are in place to keep alcohol out.

If you have trouble controlling your own substance use during the holidays, you should seek help.

Explain to your potential gift-givers why you do not wish to receive holiday gifts of wine or other types of alcohol. This sets an example for your child. You are showing your child how to enjoy a safe, sober holiday season. The gift of an alcohol-free lifestyle lasts long after the holidays are over.

HELP FOR SMOKERS TRYING TO QUIT

Many people want to stop smoking but fail because they fear severe withdrawal symptoms.  In actuality, the symptoms of withdrawal are really a smoker's passage to freedom.  Contrary to popular belief, most ex-smokers experience only one or two symptoms of a short duration.  Though difficult at first, withdrawal symptoms can be managed and dealt with rather easily.  Here are some tips for more common withdrawal symptoms:

• Craving Cigarettes: Keep busy, the urge will pass within a few minutes. Physically this craving will last for about 2-4 days; it varies for each person.
• Anxiety:  Practice deep breathing or talk to your support buddy.  Symptoms of anxiety may last one to two weeks.
• Trouble Sleeping:  Do not drink caffeine at night, think restful, calming thoughts. Do not nap during the day. 
• Lack of Concentration: Keep busy, avoid additional stress. Take a brisk walk and plan manageable work loads. Concentration should return to normal within a couple of weeks.
• Irritability:  Keep busy, take brisk walks. This feeling passes in 2-4 weeks.
• Tiredness:  This may last between 2-4 weeks - try to rest and exercise more often than usual.  

The benefits felt immediately after quitting smoking are great.  After 20 minutes, blood pressure drops to normal, pulse rate returns to normal, body temperature of hands and feet increases to normal.  Within eight hours, carbon monoxide levels in blood drop to normal, oxygen level in blood increase.

After 24 hours of non-smoking, chances of a heart attack decrease significantly. Within 48 hours, nerve endings re-grow and the ability to smell and taste is enhanced. Within 72 hours, bronchial tubes relax making it easier to breathe and lung capacity increases.  After one year of being smoke-free, the risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker.  After 2 years, risk of  heart attack drops to near normal.   

More benefits can be enjoyed as time goes on.  It is never too late to quit, and in the process, begin to feel better and significantly improve long-term health!

HIGH SCHOOL CAN BE A TOUGH WORLD!

The countdown is on ‘til the back-to-school bells ring ushering in a new 2007-2008 school year. Teens moving up to  high school are entering an exciting new chapter in their young adult lives, and they still need your help and guidance as much as ever! 

Helping your teen grow into a healthy and responsible adult is a rewarding part of being a parent, but it's not always an easy job. Kids can be incredibly hurtful and brutal to each other.  Helping your child learn to cope and manage feelings he or she encounters during the high school years are difficult and fragile tasks, but they are very important.  

Peer-related stress for your teen can result from being the target of vicious gossip, getting teased or bullied, or knowing that friends are involved in dangerous things like alcohol, drugs, and other risky behaviors.  Stress can also result from the peer pressure of not joining the crowd, as well as fears of rejection.  Most teens will encounter some of these scenarios, so it’s vital to give your child the tools they need to handle the complex peer environment.

Here are some things you can do to help your teen deal with her life: 

Emotionally connect with your child. Give your child extra attention and consideration. Keeping the lines of communication open and encouraging discussion is key. Be there to listen and share your own experiences from high school.  

Be alert to signs of stress. These signs may present as anxiety, aggressive behavior, stomachaches/headaches or a desire to stay home from school and other activities.  

Consult with teachers and staff. If you know your teen is going through a hard time at school or has come into conflict with peers, make sure teachers and other school staff are in the loop. 

Feelings don't need to be "fixed."  Instead, focus on helping your child understand and deal with his/her experiences. If signs of stress don't seem to be subsiding after a few weeks, consider consulting a mental health professional who has special experience working with youth. 

In addition, speak with your teen about not being on the other side of the coin—the person doing the teasing or gossiping.  Being popular may be a very important goal for your teen, but gaining popularity should not be at the expense of a peer’s feelings or your child’s personal well-being. 

For more valuable tips on Parenting Teens of Today, visit Parents. The Anti-Drug at www.theantidrug.com 

(Source: Parents. The Anti-Drug www.antidrug.org)

HOLIDAY STRESS

TOP TEN CAUSES OF HOLIDAY STRESS
Social and personal expectations.  
Too many responsibilities  
Trying to change or control other people  
Unpleasant memories  
Unpleasant emotions and other body reactions
Blaming yourself or others when things go wrong
Failing to anticipate likely problems and delays
Using Food, Drugs, or Alcohol to cope with STRESS
Expecting things to go well
Expecting others to behave as you prefer

SYMPTOMS ASSOCIATED WITH MALE DEPRESSION
Using alcohol or drugs to self medicate
Working excessively long hours
Watching excessive amounts of television
Becoming irritable or angry
Becoming violent to himself or others
Creating conflict
Acting overtly or covertly hostile  

CLASSIC SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION
Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood
Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed, including sex
Decreased energy, fatigue, being “slowed down”
Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
Insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
Appetite and/or weight loss, or overeating and weight gain
Thoughts of death or suicide; suicide attempts
Restlessness, irritability
Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain

2/3 of people who suffer from depression do not seek help.  Of those who DO, 80% experience significant improvement and lead productive lives.

TOP STRESSORS
Feeling out of control
Feeling direction-less
Guilt over procrastination – OR- failing to keep commitments
More commitments than time
Change, especially changes you didn’t initiate or institute
Uncertainty
High expectations of self

INTERESTING STATISTICS REGARDING STRESS
According to the Mental Health Association 75% to 95% of ALL visits to physicians are STRESS related.
Over ONE MILLION Americans have a heart attack each year.
Over 13-B doses of tranquilizers, barbiturates, amphetamines are prescribed yearly.
Over 8-M Americans have stomach ulcers.
Over 50-Th stress-related suicides each year (1 in 8 successful)
Over 12-M alcoholics in this country alone

HOOKAH HEALTH RISKS ARE REAL

Smoking a water pipe, or hookah, is part of a popular and dangerous social trend. Hookah tobacco is big business, fueled by its easy availability, low cost, and the myth that water-cooled tobacco may contain fewer unhealthy ingredients and be less dangerous than cigarette smoking.

Bars and cafes that offer hookah pipes (also known as water pipes, sheesha, narrgile and argileh) are popping up across the United States. Despite its use worldwide, little is known about patterns of water pipe use and its health effects. In a hookah pipe, the tobacco, which is often fruit flavored, is heated by coals, and the resulting smoke and toxins pass directly through the water into tubes. Recent scientific studies have shown that the concentration of cancer-causing and addictive substances in these sweet tobacco blends smoked in water-pipes can actually be higher than those found in cigarettes, cigars and smokeless tobacco.

Carbon monoxide concentrations found in the bloodstreams of water pipe smokers have been found to be quadruple the level in cigarette smokers. Nicotine content and tar exposure may also be significantly higher, as hookah smokers tend to smoke up to 45 minutes, in comparison to less than 5 minutes to smoke a single cigarette.

Water pipe users are at increased risk for cancer, decreased lung function, nicotine addiction, and pregnancy related complications. And, since water pipe use is also considered a social activity, sharing of mouthpieces is common, which also increases the risk of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, herpes and hepatitis. Why risk YOUR good health? Be smart and don’t get hooked into believing that any type of tobacco use is safe! 

KEEPING KIDS SAFE FROM ABDUCTION REQUIRES TEACHING

The recent stories about the abductions of young teens in the news have many parents wondering what can be done to insulate kids from this kind of horror. The statistics on crimes against children should concern you. According to FBI data, fewer than 100 children per year are abducted by strangers. The real danger is most likely people they know. Statistics show that 90% of the sexual crimes against children are committed by people known to them, not strangers. 

In his book, “Protecting the Gift,” former FBI agent Gavin DeBecker warns that the problem is twofold. First, in the rare instances where an unknown predator stalks a child (usually in a mall, park or other public place), parents do not always do what is needed to keep the predator at bay. According to DeBecker, to abduct a child, a predator needs three elements on his side: Access, Cover and Escape. Second, our kids are most vulnerable in dealing with predators who are known to them. 

DeBecker recommends that parents use the ACE anagram – Access, Cover and Escape - to evaluate environments for vulnerability. If you are in a situation that would provide anyone with the “ACE card” simply get closer to your child to prevent Access and do not allow them to leave your sight to prevent Cover. Place yourself between your child and any Escape route. If you do this, according to DeBecker, “you have nearly perfect statistical odds that your child will never be taken by a stranger.” 

When it comes to predators who are known to them, our kids are often victims because they have not been taught what they need to know to protect themselves, and to be wary and assertive of anybody who tries to persuade them to do something against their will. DeBecker suggests using the following Test of Twelve to see if your kids have what they need to keep safe: 

Do your children know:

1.How to honor their feelings? If someone makes them feel uncomfortable, it is an important signal and one that should be trusted. 

2.That you, as their parents, are strong enough to hear about any experience they have had no matter how unpleasant, without overreacting? 

3.That it is OK to rebuff and say no to adults? You can provide them with the polite and assertive language for this potential encounter. 

4.That it is OK to be assertive? Again, give them the words to use and permission to use them. 

5.How to ask for assistance or help? Cardinal rule: Go to a woman, preferably one with children. 

6.How to choose whom to ask for help if they are lost or uncomfortable in a situation? 

7.How to describe their peril? 

8.It is OK to strike, injure or hurt someone if they believe they are in danger and that you will report any action they take as a result of feeling uncomfortable or afraid. 

9.It is OK to make noise, to scream, to yell, to run. 

10.If someone ever tries to force them to go somewhere, what they scream should include “this is not my father.” (More than 99% of child predators are hetero-sexual males) 

11.If someone says, “don’t yell or tell,” the thing to do is to yell and tell. 

12.To fully resist ever going anywhere out of public view with someone they do not know and particularly resist going anywhere with someone who tries to persuade them. 

According to DeBecker, children who pass the Test of Twelve already have beaten the odds of becoming a victim. Could your children pass the test?  Their safety may depend on it! 

(Written by & printed with the permission of: Barbara Brownell, Program Manager for the Family Partnership Center, Bradenton, FL)

METH MOUTH - WHAT USE OF METH AND ILLICIT DRUGS CAN DO TO YOUR TEETH

There is a new effort under way to protect America's youth from the menace of drugs. Created by the American Dental Association (ADA), it focuses on the effects of methamphetamine not just on the user's life, but specifically on his or her teeth. Methamphetamine is a powerfully addictive drug that can lead to long-term neurological damage. Over the short term it can also seriously damage oral health, destroying a person's smile and natural ability to chew, according to the ADA. 

More than 12 million Americans have tried methamphetamine, also known as meth, crank, fluff, crystal, tina and speed, which can be swallowed, injected, snorted or smoked, according to the 2004 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. The majority of users range between 18 and 34 years of age. Effects of meth use include paranoia, short term memory loss, rage and mood swings, as well as damage to the immune system. Users my develop a very strong psychological and damaging dependence for the drug. Overdosing can lead to severe convulsions followed by circulatory and respiratory collapse, coma and death. Users have died after taking even small doses.

In addition, the chemicals used can cause damage to the teeth. Meth users can go from having normal teeth to extremely damaged ones to eventual loss of teeth in about a year, warns the ADA. The condition is often called "meth mouth." According to Kathleen Roth, DDS, "the extensive tooth decay of meth mouth is attributed to the drug's dry-mouth effect and its propensity to cause cravings for high-calorie carbonated beverages, tooth grinding and clenching, and extended periods of poor oral hygiene. The teeth of meth users can become blackened, stained and decayed. Depending on the severity of the dental damage, extraction may be the only treatment option available."

"Very few people understand the broad dangers methamphetamine poses to the public health of our communities in addition to the meth users themselves," says Stephen Pasierb, president and CEO of the Partnership for a Drug-Free America. "The ADA's warning should serve as a wake up call to those who use this insidious drug, as well as family and friends who are witness to this behavior. There is no safe level of meth use, but treatment and recovery are possible."

In an effort to highlight this condition, the ADA has posted educational materials on its web site at www.ada.org for both dentists and patients and just released a video in conjunction with the Partnership for a Drug-Free America that is available at www.drugfree.org/meth  For more information on the dental effects of meth use, visit the American Dental Association at www.ada.org

OUR DAUGHTERS ARE AT RISK!  

Early adolescence is a time of enormous, often confusing physical, social and emotional changes for teens and their parents. The high school years bring overwhelming pressures, which can lead to risky behaviors like smoking, drinking, and drug use. Fitting in with friends is a priority for teens and parents often feel shut out of their children's lives. However despite the challenges of keeping the lines of communication open during the teen years, studies show parents continue to have enormous influence on their children's behavior.

Adolescence can be particularly challenging for teenage girls. Even though your "little princess" may look like a young adult, she still needs you to set limits and give guidance now more than ever.  Teenage girls are at risk of increased alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and other substance abuse!

Marijuana has become the most widely used illicit drug by girls. In fact, more teenage girls use marijuana than cocaine, heroin, ecstasy and all other illicit drugs combined. Recent research trends indicate that girls are catching up with or have surpassed boys in other areas, such as alcohol, tobacco and other illicit drug use.

According to the 2004 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration:

More girls than boys started using alcohol, cigarettes and marijuana: 1.5 million girls started using alcohol; 730,000 girls started smoking; and 657,000 started using marijuana in 2004.

1.6 million girls reported having at least one major depressive episode in 2004. That's more than twice as many boys.

Teen girls outnumber boys in their misuse of prescription drugs.

The message is clear - parents need to take action now to keep our teenage daughters save and help them to grow up to be healthy and confident young adults. Being tuned in to what it is like to be a teen in today's world can be an important first step in helping to build a strong, trusting relationship with your daughter.

It is important to understand how drug and alcohol abuse can negatively affect an adolescent girl's overall health and wellbeing. According to recent studies, teenage girls are vulnerable to a number of unique physical, psychological and social risk factors for drug and alcohol abuse including depression, anxiety, excessive concerns about weight and appearance, risky sexual behavior, early puberty, psychiatric or conduct disorders and physical or sexual abuse.

Physical body changes and low self-esteem may make your teenage daughter more self-conscious and susceptible to influence to experiment with alcohol or drugs in an effort to "fit in" with her peers. A young girl who feels she does not measure up in some way is more likely to do things to please her friends. During this vulnerable time, it is particularly important to communicate that, in your eyes, she does measure up - and show her that you care about her deeply.

Growing up and gaining independence does not mean she stops being your little girl. Here are a few suggestions from Parents: The Anti-Drug (www.theantidrug.com) on how to be an integral part of your daughter's life:

Give her your time and attention regularly.
Inspire your daughter's interests and talents to help her build strong self-esteem.
Recognize good behavior and praise your daughter often.
Love but limit. Set expectations and clear "no drug" rules.
Stress is a big deal. Stay in-tune with what's going on in your daughter's life.

(Source: The National Survey on Drug Use and Health NSDUH 2002, 2003, 2004. Dept. of Health & Human Services;, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)

OXYCONTIN - A NEW DRUG OF ABUSE

The prescription painkiller OxyContin has become a popular new drug of abuse and the illegal use of "Oxy" is spreading so rapidly that many health and law enforcement officials are calling it the new drug abuse epidemic. 

OxyContin is a time-release version of the venerable painkiller Percodan (osycodone). It is prescribed by doctors to people who are dying of cancer, recovering from major surgery or suffering from debilitating migraine headaches. The drug has been heralded as a significant improvement over available palliative (pain-relieving) medication because its time-release mechanism affords significant, sustained relief for severe pain. However street users of the drug are attracted to its euphoric high, which is reported to be similar to that of heroin.

Authorities say that many street users of OxyContin are young and unaware of how potent the tablets can be. While Percodan and similar opoid painkillers have been available both legally and on the black market for decades, the problem with OxyContin is that each tablet contains higher amounts of narcotic than other painkillers because of the extended action of the medication. For example, while a Percocet tablet typically contains a maximum of 10mg. of osycodone, a single OxyContin tablet will often contain over 100mg. of oxycodone. This increased potency is the reason for the upswing in the street popularity of OxyContin. 

Some doctors have stopped prescribing OxyContin because they do not want to be suspected of irregular prescribing practice. Likewise, some legitimate users of the drug have stopped taking OxyContin since it is rapidly becoming stigmatized as an abused drug.

(Source: Substanceabuse.about.com, Feb. 26, 2003)

PARENT ALERT: SCHOOL'S OUT - CHECK IN!

The end of another school year is upon us, which often brings with it party time and play time for the kids. More than ever, parents need to realize the importance of making sure that they, and their teens, check IN with each other on a regular basis!

The likelihood that drugs and alcohol will be at a high school party is relatively high. According to the National Center on Addiction & Substance Abuse's Survey of American Attitudes on Substance Abuse XI: Teens & Parents, 80% of parents believe that alcohol and marijuana are usually not available at parties their teens will attend. But in actuality, the real statistics are sobering: 50% of teen party-goers attend parties where alcohol, drugs - or both - ARE available.

While your teen probably won't let you tag along to a party, there are some very important things that you can discuss with him/her before they head out to celebrate.

Here are a few suggestions on how you can help your teen safely transition into the summer months:

Ask Questions - Find out where your teen will be, whether or not the party will be supervised by responsible adults, the contact info of the adults who will be supervising, and other friends who will be there.

Contact the Adults in Charge - Some parents may fee uncomfortable doing this, but it is an important step to ensure that your teen will be supervised by a responsible adult during the event. If you don't feel comfortable with the situation, avoid feeling obligated to let your child go. Remember, YOU are the parent!

Establish Rules - Make sure your teen clearly understands that he/she is not allowed to use drugs or alcohol. Convey the consequences. Establish a curfew and be clear about what will happen if your teen does not arrive home on time. If your teen is driving, ask them to call home before leaving the event so that you can know he/she is on their way.

Talk to your teen and keep them safe this summer!

(Source: Parents - TheAntiDrug at www.theantidrug.com)

PARENT ALERT: TECH TREACHERY - Monitor Your Teen's Use of Digital Technologies  

Is a cell phone, personal computer or “blackberry” on your teen’s wish list this Christmas?  If so, you may want to brush up on your tech expertise to help keep your son or daughter safe!  These personal technology devices can provide a wealth of information and connection to a greater community, but they can also open a world of temptation and misinformation on topics such as drugs, sex, and other risky behaviors.  Kids can’t always be counted on to use digital technologies appropriately. Sometimes they stumble into danger unknowingly. They need guidance and rules because the world we live in today is a dangerous place.

Just ask 17 year-old, Amy, who shared her story of how she gained easy access to drugs via her cell phone. Here is an excerpt from Amy’s story, as told to TheAntiDrug.com:

My story begins the summer before 7th grade when I was 11 years old.  My older brother, who was popular in school and someone I looked up to, introduced me to opium.  A week later, I began smoking marijuana.  At first, I was only using drugs about three times a month. By the middle of my sophomore year in high school, I was using daily and by my junior year, it was multiple times a day.  After an injury that kept me from competitive gymnastics, I had to find something else to give my time to…something that could help me meet new friends. So how did I become so addicted?  It was actually very easy, thanks to my cell phone. 

In 8th grade I got a cell phone. Since I paid the bills each month, my parents didn’t have an excuse to see the statement so they couldn’t ask me about the phone numbers.  I maintained a 3.85 GPA, coached gymnastics, was responsible and came from a normal, middle-class family.  No one suspected, not even my parents. 

Being a girl, it was relatively easy to get drugs.  Often I didn’t even have to pay to get high because I dated drug dealers who offered me free drugs. Whether I was at school or on vacation with my family, I always had a dealer within 10 minutes from me.  With a press of a ‘detail’ button for each contact, I had all the information I needed—what types of drugs they sold, where they lived, and how to get a hold of them.  Normally, I’d call or text message a dealer around 2:00 pm during the school day and by the end of classes, I was hooked up. 

The first time my parents took my cell phone away to punish me, I figured out I had to change all my drug dealers’ names to something generic, like John and George.  Even after my parents had taken my phone away from me a few times, they still didn’t know about my drug addiction. Sophomore year is when my mom and dad started suspecting.  I was dating my brother’s best friend, who was well known among the local police as a cocaine dealer.  The cops showed up at my parents’ front door and gave them the lowdown on my boyfriend.  But it wasn’t until junior year that I got caught at school with drug paraphernalia.  I was sent to an alternative school, and eventually put into a drug treatment facility. 

I’m now 17 and am 8 months into my journey back to recovery.  The hardest thing for me is remembering what life was like before I started using drugs.  If there is any advice I could give parents to help keep their kid safe from drugs is don’t assume that just because your kid is an A student, involved in sports and extracurricular activities, that they are exempt from becoming a druggie.  Pay a least half the cell phone bill so you have an excuse to see it.  And if your kid pitches a fit when you take the cell phone away or never invites her friends to the house, let those be red flags. 

Kids want and need the kind of trust between themselves and their parents and other care-giving adults that only a continuous pattern or regular, healthy give-and-take communication can establish. Your children need guidance and rules and parents need to know that their trust isn’t being violated. Here are some tips for parents to keep their teens safe in the digital world:

Limit your teen’s time spend online and put computers in a common area of the house so you can more easily monitor use. Be clear and consistent about what are off limits - including web sites, chat rooms, games, blogs or certain music downloads – and how to handle information promoting drugs and sex. Discuss and enforce consequences for breaking the rules.

Learn about the digital devices your teen uses. Teens’ cell phones are living diaries of their friends, activities and whereabouts. Know the people listed in your teen’s electronic phone book. If a strange number appears, ask about it.

Visit your teen’s web site or personal blog. Review your teen’s profile, pictures, video and music uploads. These will give you a candid view of his/her thoughts on issues like drugs and dating as well as an inside glimpse of friends and activities.

Monitor your teen’s e-mails and instant messages. Know whom your teen is communicating with online and use every available opportunity to meet and get to know those friends and their parents.  Remind your teen that the Internet is public space and anyone can see what he or she is posting online. Talk to your child about not posting any personally identifiable info or regrettable pictures, videos and information.

Make sure your teen knows that everything on the web is not necessarily legal. Alcohol, tobacco, illicit and prescription drugs are all marketed on the Internet. Tell them to let you know if they receive personal messages encouraging them to engage in illegal behaviors so that you can notify the appropriate authorities.

Use technology to help monitor your teen. See for yourself what is posted on social networking sites such as MySpace.com by setting up your own account. If you suspect, go the extra mile.

Talk to other parents about how they monitor their teens, especially in this age of gadgets and digital devices. Ask what has worked for them and what has not. Stay connected and share your stories to aid your monitoring activities and keep your kids safe.

(Source: Parents - TheAntiDrug at www.theantidrug.com)

PARENT POWER! PREVENTION POWER!  

Illicit drug use among teens is on the decline for the third consecutive year, according to data released from the largest and most comprehensive study of drug use. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) 2005 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), released on September 7, 2006, showed a significant decrease in illicit drug use among 12-17 year olds since 2002, particularly marijuana use. Parents and community leaders should be encouraged by this news and continue efforts to keep youth educated about the risks of drug use.

Since 2002, current illicit drug use among 12-17 year olds is down from 11.6 percent to 9.9 percent (2005). That marks a cumulative drop of 15 percent, or 367,000 fewer youth (age 12 to 17) using any illicit drug in the past month in 2005 compared to 2002. In the same time period, current marijuana use also decreased from 8.2 percent (2002) to 6.8 percent (2005), a drop of 17 percent overall.

The NSDUH survey also shows changes in several other drug use categories including:

The perceived availability of marijuana among youth decreased from 55% to 51% as did perceived availability of crack, heroin and LSD.

The average age of first use of marijuana increased from age 17.0 in 2002 to 17.4 years in 2005.

Use of psychotherapeutics among 12-17 year olds has gone down from 4.0 percent in 2002 to 3.3 percent in 2005, with the great majority (60%) of users of all ages saying they obtained a prescription drug for non-medical use from a friend or relative.

A decline in the number of new users of methamphetamine.

Drinking among teens is also on the decline, with 16.5 percent (down from 17.6% in 2004) of youth ages 12-17 reporting current alcohol use and 9.9 percent (down from 11.1% in 2004) reporting binge drinking.

Drug prevention activities are being credited with a steady decline in overall illicit drug use by teens. The latest findings reaffirm the critical role parents' play in keeping their children away from drugs. According to the survey results, current marijuana use was much less prevalent among youth who perceived strong parental disapproval for trying marijuana once or twice compared to those who did not (4.6% vs. 27.0%). An overwhelming majority of youth (91.1%) report that their parents would strongly disapprove of illegal drug use.

(Source: The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy's National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign Newsletter, September 7, 2006)

PARENTS: ALL EYES ARE ON YOU - 'TIS THE SEASON TO BE CAREFUL!

The Holiday Season brings to mind special time spent with cherished family members, friends, neighbors and coworkers enjoying festive celebrations. Celebrating a happy yuletide does not have to include alcohol and other drugs, so please don’t let substance abuse dampen your joyous holiday spirits! 

Holiday get-togethers give people more chances to use drugs and alcohol. The tragic result is a substantial increase in the number of drug- and alcohol-related fatalities each year between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. According to MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving), at least 50 percent of all deadly automobile crashes that take place during the holiday season involve alcohol. 

Parents, ‘tis the season to be careful! The sad fact is that the holiday season may also increase your child’s chances of becoming exposed to substance abuse by witnessing someone who drinks too much during a holiday dinner, coming in contact with marijuana at a New Year’s Eve party or perhaps falling victim to alcohol poisoning by accidentally tasting someone’s discarded drink at a social gathering.  

During this time of the year, it is especially important to talk with their children about being safe and about staying away from drugs and alcohol. Take the time to explain your feelings about alcohol use and, most importantly, set an example. Children love to imitate adults and they look for social approval from family members. They watch what we do and learn from the examples we set, so model responsible behavior for your child. 

The Drug Prevention Resource Center would like to pass along some safe holiday celebration tips from the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration to help keep this holiday season a safe and happy one for you and your family. 

Safe Holiday Celebration Tips: 

• Communicate to your child what you expect. Even though adults may be drinking during the holidays, under no circumstances is he or she allowed to drink alcohol.
• Lower the risk of alcohol poisoning by throwing out partly empty alcoholic drinks so children are not tempted to taste the contents.
• Plan what you and your family will do if you are at a party where someone has had too much to drink.
• Always make sure party guests who have been drinking do not drive home.

Create some new substance-free holiday traditions for your family.  What better way to show children that you can have fun during the holidays without alcohol or drugs?  

Alcohol-Free Holiday Party Tips: 

• Throw an alcohol-free holiday party. Design special party invitations with the kids and include alcohol/drug-free messages so your party guests know the event is substance-free.
• Offer plenty of delicious food, drinks and activities for party guests of all age. Involve your child in making nonalcoholic cider, eggnog and punch.
• If your teen is attending a holiday event, call ahead to speak with a responsible adult to be sure the gathering will be alcohol/drug-free and measures will be in place to keep alcohol out.
• Tell potential gift-givers you do not wish to receive holiday gifts of wine or other types of alcohol.

These positive activities model responsible behavior for your child. Through your words and actions, you are showing your children how to enjoy a safe, sober holiday season. And best of all, the gift of a happy, healthy, substance-free lifestyle lasts long after the holidays are over!  

PARENTS GUIDE TO TEEN PARTIES

There are many pressures drawing youth to the use of cigarettes, alcohol and other harmful drugs. The strongest pressure on the young adult are social/societal (including advertising and media) and the need for group acceptance. Many parents and their teenagers talk about appropriate guidelines in this area, yet continue to feel helpless. Some parents, wanting their teenagers to belong to the group, serve alcohol at parties to their teenagers and friends. When parents work together, the pressure to serve or allow the use of illegal beverages, tobacco and other drugs will be significantly reduced. Don’t fall prey to the teen tactic, “But all the other parents let their kids do it.” Review the following guidelines and discuss them with your family and friends. Communicate what standards you expect to be followed. Support one another within families and from family to family.

When Your Teen Is Attending A Party
Know where your teenager will be & Agree beforehand on a curfew. Obtain an address and phone number. Agree that he or she will call you if the location is changed.

Personally contact the parents of the party giver to be certain that alcohol, tobacco and other drugs will not be permitted.  Offer assistance and support; Verify the occasion; Make sure the parents will be present. 

If your teenager attends a party where alcohol, tobacco and other drugs are served by the parents or allowed, it is important to: Phone and discuss your disapproval with the parents; Discuss the legal ramifications with them; Share notes with other parents; Express thanks and support to parents and students within these guidelines. 

Know how your teenager will get to and from the party. Arrange that you, a specified friend or neighbor can be called if he or she needs a ride home. Discuss the possible situations that might necessitate this. Reinforce that under no circumstances should your teenager allow someone who has been drinking or using other drugs to drive him/her anywhere. 

Personally check with the parents. If your child stays overnight with a friend after the party.

When Your Teen Is Giving A Party
Plan in advance & Agree to the rules ahead of time. Check party plans with your teenager and know who the guests will be. If you agree on who is to be invited, you can curb the “open party” situation. Set definite limits.  The rules should include: No drugs, including alcohol or tobacco; No leaving the party and returning; No gate crashers; Some rooms in your home are off limits. 

Know your responsibilities & Welcome calls from other parents to discuss party arrangements. The responsible adult at a teenager’s party must be visible and aware. Remember it is illegal to serve or provide drugs, including beer, wine, wine coolers, to anyone under 21 years of age. You may be liable both to criminal charges and for monetary damages in a civil lawsuit if you furnish alcohol and other drugs to a minor.  

Anyone who leaves the party should not be allowed to return. This discourages people from leaving with the intent of drinking or using drugs in their cars or elsewhere and then returning to the party. 

Notify the neighbors & police beforehand when giving a large party.  Let them know that the party will be supervised. Discuss an agreeable parking plan. Let police know whom to contact in case of complaints. 

Plan to have food and plenty of nonalcoholic drinks & Plan activities such as movies, dancing, sports, etc. 

Discuss the party afterwards with your teenager and share your observations and possible frustrations.

When You Are Out Of Town
Inform your teenager of their responsibilities and the consequences of their actions. 

Have a responsible adult Live in your home during your absence or have your teenager stay with a responsible adult. Explain to them your family policy and rules for parties. 

Inform your neighbors of your absence & Let the parents of your child’s friends know of your absence. Request they contact you or a responsible adult, or even the police, if a party occurs. Cooperation is both essential and productive. 

If a party is held, find out who attended and contact their parents as soon as possible. 

POT FLAVORED POPS UPSET LAWMAKERS  

Raspberry, butterscotch, sour apple...and pot? Marijuana flavored lollipops may seem an unlikely product, but sugary treats with weed-inspired flavors such as Purple Haxe, Acalpulco Gold and Tasta are appearing on shelves of convenience stores and smoke shops nationwide.

Marketers cal them a harmless novelty. Anti-drug advocates say the candies encourage people, particularly teens and young children, to smoke pot. "This kind of thing is reprehensible," said state Sen. Vincent Fort, an Atlanta lawmaker who has organized demonstrations against the candy. "It's nothing but dope candy, and that's nothing we need to be training our children to do."

Several companies offer an array of lollipops, gumdrops and other candies flavored with hemp oil, which gives the sweets an oily, grassy taste marketers say is similar to the flavor of smoking marijuana - but with none of the narcotic effects.

While the candies have caught the attention of government and law enforcement officials across the country, there is nothing even questionable about their legality. Hemp oil is used in products ranging from health food to beauty supplies. And all the companies contend their candies are geared toward adults and that they advise retailers to sell the candy only to people 18 and older.

"There are more than 70 million people in the United States who smoke marijuana. We're catering to the audience of people who are in that smoking culture." said Rick Watkins, marketing director for Corona, CA based Chronic Candy, which uses the slogan, "Every lick is like taking a hit." The company's web site features an endorsement from rapper and producer Warren G. The site also includes photos of rapper Snoop Dogg wearing a Chronic Candy cap and actor Vern Troyer - "Mini Me" from the "Austin Powers" movies - eating one of the lollipops.

Hydro Bunts markets marijuana-flavored Kronic Kandy, which is advertised as a "favorite among people who enjoy smoking blunts/cigars." "Basically, our Kronic Kandy is part of a lifestyle, like hip-hop music and rap music," said Tony Sosa, head of Hydro Blunts. But Sosa claims another market as well. "In our research, we have found our Kronic Kandy is mostly used by customers trying to kick the habit of using the illegal drug marijuana," said Sosa, whose company also sells flavored rolling papers. "It has the flavor and essence, without any of the pharmacological ingredients."

Critics don't buy that argument, citing the kind of marketing on Chronic Candy's web site, which shows video of people apparently smoking marijuana and a warehouse with hundreds of marijuana plants.

"It's pretty clear to see what they're trying to appeal to," said Pat Shea, of Cary NC, Southeast program director for the anti-drug DARE program. "They want to appeal to the wannabes. We always say that the wannabes are going-to-bes."

In New York City, councilwoman Margarita Lopez said she saw the candy popping up at convenience stores near schools in her district, which includes the city's lower east side and east village. "It was something that exploded in front of my eyes," said Lopez, a Democrat who is chairwoman of the council's committee on mental health and substance abuse. She has introduced a resolution condemning the candies and plans to hold hearings on the subject this summer. "The whole logic they use to talk about the candy not being marketed to young people is just baloney," Lopez said. "We know what they are doing, and what they are doing is glorifying substance abuse."

At Junkman's Daughter, an eclectic novelty shop in Atlanta's Little Five Points shopping district, the suckers are sold from a plastic bucket with a marijuana leaf on its label. The bucket is separate from other candies and sits near a cash register on an elevated counter that would be too high for children to reach. Owner Pam Majors said she considers the item a novelty like many of the other gifts the store sells. "We've got probably every weird kind of candy there is in here," said Majors, who says she hasn't heard customer complaints about the hemp candy. "If it was anything you could get high off of, we wouldn't carry it, obviously."

Sosa said, Kronic Kandy, which is made in the Netherlands, is available in store all over the country. He said he's open to working with government and community leaders to make sure it's sold only to adults, but feels unfairly attacked. "Our candy is 100 percent legal," Sosa said. "It's FDA-approved and kosher."

 (from Associated Press, published on June 19, 2005)

PRESCHOOL PREVENTION - It is Never Too Early To Talk to Your Kids About Drugs!

The preschool years are a great time to set the stage for communication between parent and child about the importance of a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. This is the time when the foundation for healthy habits from nutrition to hygiene are established. Preschoolers rely upon the adults in their lives and there probably is no other point in their lives when parental approval is as highly regarded. Your teachings are well received during these years of unconditional devotion.

Parents would be appalled by the types of drugs their preschooler may be exposed to without their knowledge - alcohol, tobacco and household cleaning products are the most common. One fact not widely recognized is that kids do not always obtain drugs from strangers - often they obtain them from their very own peer group. Therein lies the toughest challenge of all, for parents to teach their kids that it is OK to say no to their friends. Encourage your child to avoid friendships with kids who use alcohol, tobacco or drugs.

A great way to help kids prepare for drug-related situations is by acting out and role-playing scenarios with them. Practice with your child before a situation presents itself. Kids need to be prepared to meet with peer pressure.

Talk to your child about healthy living - Discuss how good you feel when you take care of yourself - you can run, play and work for hours.

Celebrate your child's decision-making skills and teach self-help skills - Whenever possible, let your child choose what to wear so that you reinforce your child's ability to make decisions for themselves at a young age. Turn chores like brushing teeth, putting away toys and caring for pets into fun experiences a child will enjoy. Break activities into manageable steps to teach your child how to develop plans.

Point out poisonous and harmful substances commonly found in homes, such as bleach and cleaning products. Read labels out loud to your child. Explain that not all "bad" drugs have warnings on them and that they should only eat or smell food or medicine given to them by you, a relative or other known caregivers. Explain that drugs prescribed by the doctor are only to help the patient and not anyone else.

Help your child separate make-believe from real life - Preschoolers give meaning to things they do not understand in order to make sense of their world, but their meaning might not reflect real world. Interact with your child - ask what he/she thinks about a TV program or story. Let your child know about your personal likes or dislikes. Discuss how violence or bad decisions can hurt people.

Turn frustration into a learning experience - If a tower of blocks collapses during a play session, work with your child to find possible solutions to the problem. Tell your child how proud you are when he/she is helpful. There is never a bad time to give your child a boost in the self-esteem department.

These tips, in addition to your honesty and love, will help your preschooler be better prepared to deal with drugs and alcohol for the rest of their lives.

PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE

Prescription drugs may not generally be associated with drug abuse.  However there is an inherent danger associated with misuse of ANY prescription medication or over-the-counter drug, which may lead to addiction, serious permanent health damage or, in some cases, even death.   Educating the public about the dangers associated with taking any medication is  the best way to ensure its safe use. 

Any drug is considered harmful if not used correctly, even one as common as aspirin.  Taking more or less of the recommended amount is often where problems begin. Discontinuing use of a drug without doctor's advice may also affect  long term health.  Other danger factors include:  mixing alcohol or other drugs with prescription medication, taking drugs prescribed for someone else, transferring a drug from its original bottle to another or keeping old or expired medicines in the medicine cabinet.

To be safe, your doctor should be advised of all medications you are currently taking and any allergies or sensitivities to specific drugs should also be disclosed.  It is important to be sure that all instructions are read and understood before starting to use a drug - including when to take it, what to take it with, how long to continue and what to do if side effects occur.  Always ask your doctor and your pharmacist these important questions to ensure your optimum health!

QUICK GUIDE TO FINDING EFFECTIVE ALCOHOL & DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT

If you or someone you care about is dependent on alcohol or drugs and needs treatment, it is important to know that no single treatment approach is appropriate for all individuals. Finding the right treatment programs involves careful consideration of such things as the setting, length of care, philosophical approach and you or your loved one's needs.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (SAMHSA/CSAT) offers a toll-free, 24-hour treatment referral service at 1-800-662-HELP. They also recommend the following 12 questions to consider when selecting a treatment program:

Does the program accept your insurance? If not, will they work with you on a payment plan or find other means of support for you?

Is the program run by state-accredited, licensed and/or trained professionals?

Is the facility clean, organized and well run?

Does the program encompass the full range of needs of the individual - medical (including infectious diseases); psychological (including co-occurring mental illness); social; vocational; legal; etc.?

Does the treatment program also address sexual orientation and physical disabilities as well as provide age, gender and culturally appropriate treatment services?

Are long-term aftercare support and/or guidance encouraged, provided and maintained?

Is there ongoing assessment of an individual's treatment plan to ensure it meets changing needs?

Does the program employ strategies to engage and keep individuals in longer-term treatment, increasing the likelihood of success?

Does the program offer counseling (individual or group) and other behavioral therapies to enhance the individual's ability to function in the family/community?

Does the program offer medication as part of the treatment regiment, if appropriate?

Is there ongoing monitoring of possible relapse to help guide patients back to abstinence?

Are services or referrals offered to family members to ensure they understand addiction and the recovery process to help them support the recovering individual?

For additional info on treatment centers or support groups in your area, call the Drug Prevention Resource Center at (863) 802-0777. 

REQUIRE RULES FOR THE ROAD!

Obtaining a driver’s license is, indeed, a milestone in every teenager’s life. But with the added freedom comes added challenges for parents to keep their teens safe. It’s more important than ever to establish “Rules for the Road” before you hand over the keys to the car! 

December is National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention month. New research shows that teens are just as likely to drive under the influence of marijuana as alcohol, and these statistics from the Office of National Drug Control Policy and Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) show the increased prevalence and dangers of drugged and drunk driving. 

Each day, as many as 9,000 16- and 17-year-old drivers get behind the wheel of a car. Tragically, traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for 15-to-20-year-olds. Teens of driving age have the highest overall crash rates of any age group, perhaps due to the combination of driving inexperience and distractions such as friends in the car, eating, talking or texting on cell phones. 

Drug and alcohol use compound teens’ crash risks. Research shows that 13 percent of high school seniors reported driving while high on marijuana; nearly as many as the 14 percent who reported driving drunk. One-third of high school seniors admitted that in the last two weeks they drove after drinking heavily or using drugs, or rode as a passenger in a car whose driver had been drinking heavily or using drugs. Don’t let your teen pick up the keys without discussing the harmful effects of alcohol and drug use and drugged driving with them. 

Parents CAN make a difference! According to a SADD/Liberty Mutual survey, nearly 60 percent of teens who drive say their parents have the most influence on their driving. Teens whose parents enforce penalties for driving law infractions are less likely to practice risky driving behaviors than teens whose parents do not enforce penalties. 

Take action to keep your teens safe by talking with them about the dangers of alcohol and drug use and impaired driving by following these simple steps: 

1. Set clear rules and enforce consequences against any drug or alcohol use at any time.

2. Know where your teen is going and what route he or she is using to get there.

3. Reinforce safe driving practices by driving together, and by being a good role model. 

The Drug Prevention Resource Center offers our best wishes for a safe, drug-free holiday season. For resources, advice and free materials on how to talk with your teens about the risks of drugged, drunk and distracted driving, please visit www.TheAntiDrug.com and www.sadd.org

(Source: National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign's Web site for parents: www.TheAntiDrug.com)  

RESOLVE TO MAKE IT A HEALTHY NEW YEAR  

The gifts are unwrapped, the turkey leftovers gobbled, the last of the pine needles vacuumed and a new year has begun. Many folks start off in January with a strong resolve to improve their health by exercising, losing weight, quitting smoking or seeking assistance for an alcohol or substance abuse problem.

When it comes to positively changing something in your life, no matter what your goals are, it is important to develop a reasonable plan with practical and attainable goals. Rather than trying to change every bad habit you have on January 1st, choose one or two in particular to focus on and continue to work on making positive changes throughout the year.

About.com offers the following tips to develop a plan to help make this new year the year that you reach your resolutions:

Do not abandon the idea of setting resolutions because you have broken them in the past. Simply readjust the type and number of goals you set for yourself.

Do be realistic; make sure your goal is reachable. Pick a safe, attainable goal with a realistic time frame.

Do not make too many resolutions. Pick one or two - such as anger management, stress control, healthy eating, smoking cessation, fitness, career advancement - that are most important to you.

Do not set resolutions whose success is based upon factor beyond your control. Saying "I resolve to have a new job by summer" depends not only on your own initiative, but also upon external factors such as the economy, job market in yoru field) over which you have no control. Instead resolve to update your resume and send it out to a number of companies by a certain date, so the success of your resolution is within your control.

Do set resolutions based on your own wishes, desires and dreams and not those of society of persons close to you. A resolution is bound to fail if it is not from your heart.

Do plan immediate goals if it helps you to maintain control. Decide where you want to be in 3 or 6 months and check yourself then.

Do use the buddy system. Social support can be a great strengthener of motivation. Rely on your friends to support you and do the same for them.

Do plan a reward for yourself when the resolutions or intermediate goals are met.

This year, give yourself a gift of good health. Find some way to be healthy today, and then repeat the same thing tomorrow...and before you know it, you will be well on your way to achieving your goal.  Happy New Year!

RX ABUSE: A PRESCRIPTION FOR DANGER

Mixed in with the creative advertising messages for Super Bowl LXII last night, you might have seen an ad featuring a "drug dealer" talking about his failing business: "Seems like half of my customers, they don’t even need me anymore, you know? I mean they’re getting high for free out of their medicine cabinets."

The Super Bowl ad kicked off a new White House public education campaign to alert parents about the troubling trend of teen prescription drug abuse. Studies show that more teens abuse prescription drugs than any other illicit drug, except marijuana - more than cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine combined. Every day, 2,500 teens age 12-17, abuse a prescription painkiller for the first time and more people are getting addicted to prescription drugs.  

Teens say prescription drugs are readily available - in their own homes and from friends or relatives. Take steps immediately to limit access to these drugs and help reduce the risk of teen prescription drug abuse. Start in your home. What prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs do you have? Where are they kept? Would you know if some were missing?  

Follow these helpful tips to safeguard your prescriptions – and your teen: 

1. Safeguard all drugs at home. Monitor quantities and control access. - Take note of how many pills are in a bottle or pill packet, and keep track of refills. This goes for your own medication, as well as for your teen and other members of your household. If you find you have to refill medication more often than expected, there could be a real problem—someone may be taking your medication without your knowledge. If your teen has been prescribed a drug, be sure you control the medication, and monitor dosages and refills.

2. Set clear rules for teens about all drug use, including not sharing medicine and always following the medical provider’s advice and dosages. - Make sure your teen uses prescription drugs only as directed by a medical provider and follows instructions for OTC products carefully. This includes taking the proper dosage and not using with other substances without a medical provider's approval. Teens should never take prescription or OTC drugs with street drugs or alcohol. If you have any questions about how to take a drug, call your family physician or pharmacist.

3. Be a good role model by following these same rules with your own medicines. - Examine your own behavior to ensure you set a good example. If you misuse your prescription drugs, such as share them with your kids, or abuse them, your teen will take notice. Avoid sharing your drugs and always follow medical provider’s instructions.

4. Properly conceal and dispose of old or unused medicines in the trash. - Unused prescription drugs should be hidden and thrown away in the trash. So teens and others don't take them out of the trash, you can mix them with an undesirable substance (like used coffee grounds or kitty litter) and put the mixture in an empty can or bag. Unless the directions say otherwise, do NOT flush medications down the drain or toilet because the chemicals can pollute the water supply. Also, remove any personal, identifiable information from prescription bottles or pill packages before you throw them away.

5. Ask friends and family to safeguard their prescription drugs as well. - Make sure your friends and relatives, especially grandparents, know about the risks, too, and encourage them to regularly monitor their own medicine cabinets. If there are other households your teen has access to, talk to those families as well about the importance of safeguarding medications. If you don't know the parents of your child's friends, then make an effort to get to know them, and get on the same page about rules and expectations for use of all drugs, including alcohol and illicit drugs.

Most of all, take time to talk to your teen about the very real dangers of abusing prescription and over-the-counter drugs. These are powerful drugs that, when abused, can be just as dangerous as street drugs. Tell your teen the risks far outweigh any "benefits."

RX - A NEW INTENTIONAL HIGH FOR TEENS

The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy released a new report in February 2007 that shows alarming trends in teen abuse of prescription drugs, cough and cold medicines to get high. Although overall drug use is down over the last five years, new users of prescription drugs have now caught up with new users of marijuana. There are troubling signs that teens wrongly view abusing prescription and over-the-counter drugs as “safer” than illegal drugs and parents are unaware of the problem.

Millions of Americans benefit from the proper use of prescription drugs, however these products can be dangerous and even lethal when taken without medical supervision, intentionally abused or mixed with other drugs and alcohol. 

According to the latest research:

There are more new users of prescription drugs than any other legal drug – even marijuana.

Pain relievers, such as Oxycontin and Vicodin, are the most commonly abused prescription drugs by teens.

One-third of all new abusers of prescription drugs in 2005 were 12-17 year olds.

Prescription drugs are the drug of choice among 12 and 13 year olds.

Girls are more likely than boys to intentionally abuse prescription drugs to get high.

The majority of teens (57%) who abuse these products say they get prescription drugs for free from a relative or friend (47%) or take them from a relative or friend (10%) without asking. An additional 10% buy pain relievers from a friend or relative.

Adolescents are more likely than young adults to become dependent on prescription medication.

Parents need to be aware of this emerging trend among teens to abuse prescription drugs. You wouldn't want your teens to abuse cocaine or other illicit drugs, and you don't want them abusing prescription or OTC drugs, either. You can prevent drug abuse by being aware of the dangers, knowing the signs and symptoms of abuse, setting clear expectations, disposing of old or unused medications and communicating with your children early and regularly. 

(Source: National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign's Web site for parents: www.TheAntiDrug.com)   

SAFE SUMMER STRATEGIES - Don't Let Your Teen's Summer Go To Pot!

Summer is upon us with the promise of bright sunny days and warm temperatures. Our thoughts turn to carefree beach vacations, family barbecues, graduation parties, weddings and long holiday weekend getaways. These fun times ahead are all cause of celebration. But be aware that the summer months are often accompanied by increased teen alcohol and drug consumption, as well as increased peer pressure, making summer a risky time for teens and an equally challenging time for parents.

Some kids use this more unsupervised and unstructured time as an excuse to experiment with drugs for the first time. A 2001 study commissioned by YMCA of the USA found teens who are unsupervised are 3 times more likely to use marijuana or other drugs and subsequently engage in risky behaviors such as having sex, becoming involved in violence, riding in a car with someone driving high or using alcohol, than those who have adult supervision. According to data from the 2000 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse (NHSDA), more youth under age 18 smoke marijuana for the first time in June and July than during any other month of the year and during every summer day more than 5,800 teens age 12-17 try marijuana for the first time. First use of alcohol and cigarettes among teens also increases. During the summer months, communities may experience a dramatic rise in impaired driving and drug overdoses.

The Partnership for a Drug Free America offers Safe Summer Strategies for parents - simple things parents can say or do to help keep their kids marijuana and substance free this summer:

Set rules: Talk to your teen about the dangers of alcohol and drug use. Let your child know that marijuana use is unacceptable. 2/3 of kids say that upsetting their parents or losing respect of family and friends is one of the major reasons they do not smoke marijuana or use drugs. Urge our child to exercise caution and set limits with clear consequences for breaking them.

Understand and communicate: Be a parent, not a pal. Take the time to learn the facts about marijuana and talk to your teen about its harmful health, social, learning and mental effects on users. Do not allow underage children to drink, even in supervised settings. Praise and reward good behavior.

Make sure you know where your teen is and what they will be doing during unsupervised time. Research shows that teens with unsupervised time are 3 times more likely to use marijuana and other drugs. Drinking also occurs more often when teens are left alone or when parents are away. Do not leave teens alone. 

Make sure your know who your teen is with. Get to know your child's friends and their parents by inviting them over for dinner or talking with them at your child's activities. Warning signs of drug use include distance from family and existing friends, hanging out with a new circle of friends, lack of interest in personal appearance or changes in eating or sleeping habits. 

Engage your teen in summer activities such as summer camp, educational programs or sports league. Research shows that kids who are involved in constructive, adult-supervised activities are less likely to use drugs. Show kids that there are other ways to enjoy summer without using substances and participating in reckless behavior. 

Reserve time for family. Spend time together regularly as a family.

(Source: Partnership for a Drug-Free America, May 2005 e-newsletter)

SAYING NO TO UNDERAGE DRINKING BEGINS AT HOME!

How old were you when you had your first alcoholic beverage? And where or from whom did you get it? The results of a new study of alcohol use in young adults reports some disturbing answers to this question! 

Researchers at the University of Florida and University of Pennsylvania surveyed 4,000 diverse teens, aged 12 to 14, in Chicago between 2002 and 2005 and reported their findings in the June 2007 edition of the journal Preventive Medicine. 

According to the survey, about 17% of the 12 year olds admit they’ve had a full alcohol drink within the last year. 1 in 3 teens report that they obtained their first taste of alcohol from their parents – or the parents of a friend. This dangerous scenario can lead to serious trouble in the long run… 

Early onset drinking is associated with a long list of dangerous problems including car crashes, risky sexual behavior, academic failure, illicit drug use and alcohol dependence later in life.  Research shows that as students get older, alcohol use increases along with the ability to obtain alcohol from sources other than their parents. In the study, drinking rates increased from 17% at the beginning of sixth grade to 40% by the end of eighth grade. 

A 2007 U.S. Surgeon General report shows that adolescents who drink by the time they are 15 are more likely to have trouble in school, smoke cigarettes, begin to use other drugs and suffer from alcohol dependence later in life than those who do not. Even worse, exposure to alcohol at a young age may damage the developing brain. 

Parents need to consider their positions as role models at the crucial time when their middle school children are likely to have their first serious encounters with alcohol. Research findings consistently show that teens cite their parents as the #1 reason why they choose to NOT to drink alcohol. You can have a very positive influence on their child’s behavior, so it is important to be cautious and consistent about the messages you send to your teenaged son or daughter. 

Together we can make a difference!  To help our local efforts to reduce underage drinking and substance abuse, please consider joining the Coalition for a Drug-Free Polk. We invite concerned citizens to join the effort and take an active part in our monthly planning sessions. For more information, please call DPRC Executive Director, Angie Ellison, at (863) 802-0777.

(Source: The Gainesville Sun (FL) Author Diane Chun, 2007)

SIGNS YOUR CHILD MAY BE USING DRUGS

Mood swings and unpredictable behavior are signs of drug use but also a common occurrence for preteens and teenagers. Some other signs that may be warning flags that a child is using drugs are:

Withdrawn, tired and careless about personal grooming
Hostile and uncooperative, frequently breaking curfews. 
Relationships with family members and current friends deteriorate.
New circle of friends.
Losing interest in hobbies, sports and other favorite activities
Eating and sleeping patterns change.
Difficulty concentrating.
Eyes are red-rimmed and/or nose is running but they do not have a cold.
Household money disappears.
Presence of pipes, rolling papers, eye drops or lighters

(Source: Let's All Work to Fight Drug Abuse, 2005)

SILENCE ISN'T GOLDEN - IT'S PERMISSION

No loving relationship can exist without good communication. Teens believe they have valuable things to say, and when a parent genuinely listens, it helps self-esteem and confidence. It will take more than five minutes to talk to your teen about drugs and alcohol - it's about building an ongoing dialogue.

Don't be discouraged if your teen acts like he doesn't want to talk. Teens may become defensive during your conversation less because of what you're saying than because of why they think you're saying it. Here are three steps to help guide you during these crucial conversations: 

State what you don't intend and what you do intend. 

Be flexible about when you talk, but not about whether you talk. Control is a huge issue for teens. Sometimes parents provoke an unnecessary confrontation by demanding that conversations be on their terms and their timeframe. 

Create a "safety reserve" by creating safety even when there are no problems. 

Take time to think about your teen, and determine when a good time is for them to talk. Remember, being flexible doesn't mean that you're turning the reins over to your teen; you're simply showing your teen that you respect his space while still being in control of the conversation. Think about when your teen is most talkative - after school, after they've finished homework, after practice, before dinner, etc. Choose that time to start a dialogue. 

Practice before speaking to him about drug use. Go through scenarios of what could happen during the conversation, but above all, make the time to talk with your teen. You're aiming for a two-way, face-to-face conversation that gives your teen room to disagree with you and communicate a different point of view. After the conversation, ask yourself who did most of the talking. If your teen didn't do at least 25 percent of it, you didn't ask enough questions - or didn't create enough safety to allow your teen to participate fully.

(Source: TheAntiDrug.com)

SPRING: A CRITICAL TIME FOR PARENTS TO CONNECT WITH TEENS!

From spring break to prom, senior trips to graduation day, this is the time of year when teens may consider taking risks. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, each weekend during prom and graduation season, nearly 50 teens are killed in car crashes. That’s far too many youth taking unnecessary risks during this time of celebration. 

The Drug Prevention Resource Center would like to remind the parents and teens in our community that April is Alcohol Awareness Month. Alcohol is a drug and is only legal for people over the age 21. Alcohol affects the central nervous system and brain. It can make users loosen up, relax and feel more comfortable or can make them more aggressive. Unfortunately, it also lowers inhibitions, which often results in very dangerous or embarrassing behavior. 

Consider the following sobering statistics from SAMHSA - Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration’s 2006 National Survey on Drug Use & Health:
 

Six deaths each day – that is the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s estimate of the number of 15 to 20    year olds that die in alcohol-related crashes.

 

2.6 million young people do not know that a person can die of an overdose of alcohol. Alcohol poisoning occurs when a person drinks a large quantity of alcohol in a short amount of time.

 

A standard drink is: One 12-ounce bottle of beer or wine cooler; one 5-ounce glass of wine; 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits.

 

Nearly 11 million 12 to 20 year olds admit they drank alcohol in the past month. More than seven million 12 to 20 year olds engaged in binge drinking – downing five or more drinks in a row – in the past month.

 

More than four million youths ages 16-20 reported driving under the influence of alcohol or illicit drugs during the past year.

 

Teens who drink alcohol tend to be illicit drug users as well. Mixing alcohol and drugs, particularly prescription depressants, such as Valium and Xanax, can be extremely dangerous. 

Spring is a critical time for parents to stay vigilant by connecting with their teens and encouraging them to celebrate spring break, prom and graduation activities safely – without alcohol or illicit drugs. Ask questions about your teens’ plans. Talk about how to say no to alcohol and illicit drugs, while still having a good time. Your teen’s life depends on it!              

(Source: National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign's Web site for parents: www.TheAntiDrug.com)  

TAKE A STAND FOR AMERICA'S YOUTH - JOIN THE COALITION FOR A DRUG-FREE POLK!

More than 5,000 underage youth will die this year from alcohol-related causes – that’s more than 13 kids every day! Alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse occur in all age groups and economic backgrounds. It is an insidious presence in our neighborhoods and schools, wherever we may live.

Alcohol use by young people is extremely dangerous - both to themselves and society at large. Underage alcohol use is associated with traffic fatalities, violence, unsafe sex, suicide, educational failure, and other problem behaviors that diminish the prospects of future success, as well as health risks. Despite these serious concerns, the media continues to make drinking look attractive to youth, and it remains possible and even easy for teenagers to get access to alcohol.

Education is the key to helping our youth make the right decisions. As parents and concerned citizens, it is important to take the time to know the facts, think and act responsibly to help prevent your family and friends from becoming the next alcohol or drug-related statistic.  

The Drug Prevention Resource Center has worked diligently for over 20 years to increase community awareness, through prevention and education, of the dangers associated with the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. Our services include science-based prevention programs for elementary and middle school students, presentations to schools, parents, businesses, churches and community groups, as well as referrals for families experiencing drug or alcohol problems in Polk, Highlands and Hardee counties.  

Some of our informative substance abuse prevention education programs for youth & adults include: 

• Drug Free Puppet Shows for elementary & middle school students
• Team Awareness Training Programs for the Workplace
• Tobacco Awareness, Education and Cessation Programs
• Educational Resource Literature Library

Together we can make a difference!! 

To help our local efforts to reduce underage drinking and substance abuse, please consider joining the Coalition for a Drug-Free Polk. We invite concerned citizens to join the effort and take an active part in our monthly planning sessions. For more information, please call DPRC Executive Director, Angie Ellison, at (863) 802-0777 or write to: Drug Prevention Resource Center, 621 South Florida Avenue, Lakeland, FL 33801.

YOUTH PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE ON THE RISE  

A new report by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University found that between 1992 and 2003, prescription drug abuse tripled among people aged 12-17 and nearly doubled among adults, trumping illicit drugs such as cocaine, hallucinogens, inhalants and heroin. Researchers said that the increase is due largely to the ease of accessibility through the Internet and household medicine cabinets., and a perception that the drugs are safe even when abused. The findings illustrate the need to take a closer look at the problem in our own local communities!

(Source: Florida Community Coalitions' July 27, 2005 E-Xchange e-newsletter)