Tom steele 1

Los Angeles County Office of Education Division of Student Support Services

Community Health & Safe Schools Unit

Every Child Counts

iLearn, iGrow,

iSucceed

ACSA Symposium

2014

DISCLAIMER Information contained in presentation and materials are for information purposes only, and may not apply to your situation. Information provided is subjective. The author, presenter and Los Angeles County Office of Education provide no warranty about content or accuracy of content and assume no liability for any action or reaction arising from use of the information. Medical personnel and/or law enforcement should be contacted if use of substance is suspected to insure proper diagnosis and treatment. All links are for information purposes only and are not warranted for content, accuracy, or any other implied or explicit purpose. Los Angeles County Office of Education 2

MYTHS & MISCONCEPTIONS

Los Angeles County Office of Education 3

Beliefs about teen drug and alcohol use

• Teen drinking, drug use is no big deal

• They are just experimenting

• I would know if my students are using

Los Angeles County Office of Education

DRUGS – substance that causes physical or emotional change

• Alcohol, illegal drugs, tobacco, herbal, caffeine, inhalants

• Over-the-counter (non-prescription)

• Prescription (doctor written order)

PSYCHOACTIVE EFFECTS – effects of a person’s mood or behavior

• Mood-altering

• Affects brain activity

DEFINITIONS

4

DEFINITIONS


• Addiction: body relies on given drug to help it function • Compulsive use of drug- despite cost

• Changes structure and chemistry of brain

• Tolerance: need increased amount to feel effects

• Craving: strong need for drug, can’t manage without it

• Loss of Control: preoccupied with drug or alcohol and unable to limit use

• Physical Dependence: experience withdrawal, may include death, coma, muscle trembling, disorientation, sweats, insomnia


Includes:

Nicotine

Cocaine

Methamphetamine

Speed up mental and physical responses of CNS

• Enhances brain activity

• Causes increase in alertness, attention and energy

• Increases blood pressure, heart rate and breathing

CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (CNS) STIMULANTS

6

COCAINE


• Cocaine HCL (Powder), Cocaine Base (Crack)

• Grows primarily in Peru and Bolivia

• Not Columbia!

• First extracted in mid-19th century

• Used as tonic/elixir to treat variety of illnesses, and as local anesthetic

• Continues to have limited use in surgery

METHAMPHETAMINE


• Powder, Rock (ICE)

• Amphetamine has close chemical relations to methamphetamine and dextroamphetamine

• CNS stimulants whose reactions resemble those of adrenaline

• Amphetamine was used in 1930’s for nasal congestion (pseudoephedrine today)

• Was created by German chemists in WWII in attempt to create a SUPER SOLDIER

CNS STIMULANT: HEALTH HAZARDS


• Feelings of restlessness, irritability and anxiety

• Prolonged use can trigger paranoia

• Depression when addicted individuals stop using

• Deaths often a result of cardiac arrest or seizures followed by respiratory arrest


Includes:

Alcohol

Marijuana

Opioids such as Heroin, OxyContin, Codeine, Vicodin, Morphine

Slow down mental and physical responses of CNS

• Slows down brain functions, breathing rates, blood pressure and body reactions

• In higher doses, some CNS depressants can become general anesthetics

CNS DEPRESSANTS

10

OPIATES


• Called narcotics

• Powerful painkillers with high potential for abuse & addiction

• Prescribed for pain relief

• Attach to receptors in brain, spinal cord and gastrointestinal tract

• Affect part of brain that perceives pleasure, causing initial euphoria

HEROIN


• Name for illicit opiate

• Morphine=prescription

• 1874, created from opium poppy

• 2004, Afghanistan produced roughly 87% of world supply

• Mexico is second largest producer in world

• Cartels produce black tar heroin

CNS DEPRESSANT: HEALTH HAZARDS


• Tolerance develops

• Physical dependence, addiction

• Produces drug craving, restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, cold flashes, kicking movements

• Withdrawal

• Symptoms occur if use is reduced

• May occur within hours after last use

• Sudden withdrawal is occasionally fatal


Includes:

MDMA-Ecstasy

LSDGHB

PCP

Rohypnol (roofie)

Mushrooms

Distort sensory information going to brain

• Not all users hallucinate or have distorted sense of reality

• No medical use

• Also known as club drugs

HALLUCINOGENS

14

MDMA, ECSTASY, E


• Synthetic, psychoactive drug with both stimulant and hallucinogen properties

• Created in 1914, produced for black market in 1970s

• Taken orally (most common), can be snorted or injected

• Usually pill form, variety of colors, shapes and symbols

• Can be powder or capsules

LSD, ACID


• Generic name for Lysergic Acid Diethylamide-25

• One of most potent mind-altering chemicals known

• Usually taken orally (on candy, sugar cubes, blotter paper or liquid directly on tongue)

HALLUCINOGENS: HEALTH HAZARDS


• Similar to cocaine

• Psychological difficulties: confusion, depression, sleep problems, severe anxiety and paranoia

• Physical problems: muscle tension, involuntary teeth clenching, nausea, blurred vision, faintness, chills and/or sweating

• Damages parts of brain crucial to processes of thought, memory and pleasure

• Not considered addictive, but produces a tolerance

• Hallucinations and Flashbacks

INHALANTS


• Breathable chemical vapors that produce psychoactive effects

• In common household products; paint, glue and cleaning fluids

• Children and adolescents can easily obtain and are among most likely to abuse these substances

INHALANTS: HEALTH HAZARDS

• Chronic abuse causes severe, long-term damage to brain, liver and kidneys

• Hearing loss

• Limb spasms

• Bone marrow damage

• Blood oxygen depletion


IF YOU SAW THESE…


…would you be worried?

BATH SALTS AND SPICE/K2

21

• Synthetic drugs (designer drugs), mimic active ingredient in marijuana (THC)

• First appeared in 2004 in U.S.

• Sold in head shops, convenience stores and online

• Can be smoked, injected, snorted, or mixed with food and drink

• Many of compounds found in synthetic drugs have now been banned, making them illegal

• Substances do not show up on conventional drug screening tests

MARIJUANA


• Hallucinogen and depressant

• Contains THC, (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) main active chemical

• THC content has increased six fold since 1978

• Contains more than 400 other chemicals

• Usually smoked: joint, pipe, bong

• Can be eaten

MARIJUANA: HEALTH HAZARDS


• 1 in 6 become addicted

• THC damages cells that protect against disease • Causes cancer, lung and airway problems

• Associated with onset of psychotic symptoms

• Teen use causes permanent damage to part of brain responsible for executive function

• Planning, abstract thinking, understanding rules, inhibiting inappropriate actions and measuring cognitive flexibility

• Decreases activity in working memory areas of brain, delaying reaction and ability to remember accurately

• Impairs motivation

MEDICAL USE OF MARIJUANA


• Prescription THC is manufactured in pill form, Marinol, and has been available for over 30 years

• Studies show medical marijuana is less effective than traditional medicines and has more side effects

MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN SCHOOLS


• Law does not allow possession or use of marijuana, including medical marijuana

• Students may be disciplined for being under influence of or possession of marijuana

• Medical marijuana may not be smoked: where smoking is prohibited by law; within 1,000 feet of school; on school bus; or in moving motor vehicle or boat H&S11362.79

MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN SCHOOLS


• Student medication use during school day must have prescription from California physician EC 49423

• Physicians may not prescribe marijuana

• only give recommendation H&S 11362.5

• If student’s health condition is so serious that it requires administration of marijuana, then student may be too sick for school

OVER THE COUNTER DRUGS (OTC) AND PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS


• OTC: cough/cold/congestion with ‘DXM’ (Robitussin, Coricidin) known as “triple C”

• Prescription Medications

• CNS Stimulants: Ritalin, Adderall (amphetamine based)

• CNS Depressants: Valium, Librium, Xanax, Morphine, Codeine, Oxycontin, Vicodin, Demerol


• Curiosity

• Boredom

• Feel good

• Pleasure

• Relax

• Forget troubles

• Feel grown up

• Show independence

• Peer pressure

WHY DO KIDS USE DRUGS?

28

RISK FACTORS


• Disabilities, such as ADD/ADHD - self medicated

• Failing in school

• Victim of bullying, cyberbullying

• Experiencing low self-esteem

• Living with addicted family member or community with high tolerance for use

• Internet accessible substances

• TV: Jersey Shore, Teen Mom, Gossip Girl, etc.

SIGNS OF USE


• Change in relationships with family and friends

• Loss of inhibitions, mood changes, instability

• Depressed, unable to focus, hostile, angry, uncooperative, deceitful, secretive

• Decreased motivation, lethargic

• Sleeplessness, hyperactivity

• Personal appearance, health issues

• Grades dropping, truancy, work-related issues

• Lying and stealing – stories don’t add up

• Paraphernalia, clothing, jewelry

Sometimes it’s hard to tell if it’s just “normal” teen behavior

I KNOW STUDENT IS USING


• What is your evidence?

• Consult with peer, administrator

• Conversation (not a confrontation) is critical to help

• Expect denial and anger

• Find ways to break through barriers

• Don’t just talk, listen

• Spell out rules and consequences

• Remind student of your support

DRUG TESTING


• Does not detect every possible drug

• Helps reduce peer pressure

• Trust your instincts • "radar" often accurate; do not ignore “gut

feelings”

• Recommend consult family doctor, counseling

• Plan how to react when drug use discovered

• There are underlying reasons for drug use, reasons need to be discovered and “dealt with”

EDUCATE FAMILIES


• Safeguard prescription, OTC drugs and alcohol

• 39% of teens who abuse prescription drugs get them from family member’s or friend’s medicine cabinet

• Dispose of medicines properly

• Ask family - grandparents, & friends to be alert and safeguard drugs and alcohol

What’s in your cabinet at home?

FAMILY PROTECTIVE FACTORS


• Parents talk to child about drugs/alcohol at young age

• Use teachable moments

• Listen, make it easy for child to talk honestly

• 50% less likely to use, if learn about risks of drugs at home

• Open communication

• not lecturing, no “he said/she said” conversations

• Provide rules that are clear and consistent with

consequences

• Be a good role model (grandparents, uncle, aunt)

TIPS FOR PARENTS TO KEEP CHILD SAFE


• You condone what you ignore

• Be involved in your child’s activities

• Plan family activities at least 3+ times a month

• Know your child’s friends and their parents

• Children want freedom, it needs to be earned and it’s not appropriate with substance use

• IT IS OKAY TO SNOOP, parents can decide to look through their child’s room and belongings

• Monitor whereabouts and technology use (eblaster.com, etc.)

• Trust, but verify

DON’T


• React with anger, even when shocked

• Ridicule

• Give consequences that you will not follow through

• Expect every conversation to be perfect

• Simply demand, instead educate about risk

• Make stuff up, if you don’t know, look it up or help them look it up

RESOURCES FOR HELP


• Bill Cosby-Fatherhood-a must read for every parent

• AA, Marijuana or Narcotics Anonymous

• Treatment centers

• www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov

• www.drugstrategies.org

• http://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/facilitylocatordoc.htm

• National Institute on Drug Abuse – http://www.nida.nih.gov

• NIDA for Teens – http://www.teens.drugabuse.gov

• Partnership for a Drug Free America – http://www.drugfree.org

• CA Narcotic Officer’s Assoc. – http://cnoa.org/home/nefa/

CONTACT INFORMATION


Tom Steele Consultant II

[email protected]

(562) 922-6233

www.lacoe.edu

Tom steele 1

Health & Medicine

drug use

compulsive use of drug

medical use

use of substance

use physical dependence

limited use

teen drug

drug craving