ALABAMA NATIONAL GUARD JOINT SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROGRAM (JSAP) UNIT BRIEFING

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ALABAMANATIONAL GUARDJOINT SUBSTANCE ABUSE
PROGRAM (JSAP)UNIT BRIEFING

• DRUG FREE WAY TO BE!
• ALNG DRUG DEMAND REDUCTION

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CAREER CRASHERS!

• Testing positive for drugs is a sure way to wreck
  your military career. Ask yourself
• Is it worth jeopardizing my future?

• Marijuana
• Methamphetamine
• Cocaine
• Prescription Drugs

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The Adjutant Generals Substance Abuse Policy

• Substance abuse, to include alcohol and drugs, is
  considered serious misconduct and is not
  compatible with military service.
• The Adjutant General is firmly committed to
  eliminating substance abuse by soldiers and
  airmen.
• Substance abuse can seriously impact soldiers,
  airmen, and the units in which they serve.
• Random drug testing is an important tool for
  preventing substance abuse and determining
  readiness of soldiers and airmen.

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Drug Testing

• Every unit will conduct no less than 2 drug tests
  per year.
• Each random list of members to be tested will be
  developed from a list of ALL personnel assigned.
• All General Officers, AGR personnel, MPs,
  Aviation personnel, counterdrug personnel, and
  members that routinely carry a weapon will be
  mandatorily drug tested once each year.

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Prescription Drugs

• Taking a prescription drug that was prescribed
  for someone else is considered substance abuse.
• Only take medication that has been prescribed for
  you AND only take the medication in the dose
  prescribed.
• If you test positive for a drug that has been
  prescribed for you, you will be given the
  opportunity to provide the JSAP Office with the
  prescription and the positive will be cleared.

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MARIJUANA
Would you want to be on a mission with someone
who is stoned?
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BUT ITS NATURAL!

• Yes, so is poison ivy
• but you wouldnt want
• to smoke that!
• Marijuanas natural smoke contains 3-5 times as
  much of tobaccos cancer-causing toxins.

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WHAT IS MARIJUANA?

• Marijuana is the most commonly abused drug among
  soldiers and airmen.
• Marijuana positives are the number one cause of
  substance abuse discharges in the military.

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MARIJUANA IN THE BRAIN

• Main active chemical is
• Delta-9-THC
• (tetra-hydro-cannabinol)
• THC affects learning and memory.
• Senses and motivations are also affected by THC.
• Reflexes are slowed.

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SHORT-TERM EFFECTS OF USING MARIJUANA

• Trouble with memory, learning, and problem
  solving skills can occur after only a few uses.

• Senses of sight, hearing, touch, time, and depth
  are distorted.
• Physical performance is affected.

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LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF USING MARIJUANA

• Permanent damage to thinking and reasoning
  ability.
• Increased tolerance (takes more pot to get same
  result as before).
• Chronic bronchitis, frequent chest colds, and
  pneumonia.
• Most common long term effect is amotivational
  syndrome.

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ONE OF THE GATEWAY DRUGS

• MJ, tobacco, alcohol, and now misused
  prescription drugs are known as Gateway drugs.
• Using these makes one more likely to go on to
  using other illegal drugs.

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OTHER FACTS TO KNOW

• About 33 of arrested reckless drivers tested
  positive for marijuana in one study (it DOES
  affect your motor skills!).
• Possession of pot is illegal and charges carry
  high fines jail time.

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METHAMPHETAMINE
CRYSTAL, CRANK, SPEED, ICE TROUBLE BY WHATEVER
NAME
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METHAMPHETAMINE

• Meth is cooked up by drug dealers in
  clandestine labs.
• These labs can be found just about anywhere and
  are highly volatile and toxic to humans and the
  environment.

• The chemical vapors produced during cooking
  permeate the walls and carpets of dwelling,
  making them uninhabitable.
• These labs are often guarded by attack dogs and
  booby traps.

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WARNING SIGNS OF METH LABS

• Unusual, strong odors similar to the that of
  fingernail polish remover or cat urine
• Renters who pay cash
• Large amounts of products such as cold medicines,
  antifreeze, drain cleaner, lantern fuel, coffee
  filters, batteries, duct tape, clear glass
  beakers and containers
• Residences with windows blacked out and lots of
  nighttime traffic.

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METH USE EFFECTS

• Meth is a powerfully addictive and violent drug.
• Its use can result in fatal kidney and lung
  disorders, brain damage, liver damage, chronic
  depression, and other physical and mental
  disorders.
• Recent studies have demonstrated that meth causes
  more damage to the brain than alcohol, heroin, or
  cocaine.

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METH EFFECTS

• Meth causes mental confusion, severe anxiety, and
  paranoia.
• Methamphetamine users are very aggressive which
  often results in violent behavior. (Stay away
  from people you know are doing this drug.)
• There is a direct relationship between
  methamphetamine abuse and increased incidents of
  domestic violence and child abuse.

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Is meth use worth jeopardizing my future?

• Using meth is illegal.
• It hurts your loved ones.
• It is detrimental to your health and physical
  appearance.
• It destroys the environment.
• It is wildly addictive
• Leaves ruined lives in its path.
• Do we want soldiers and airmen on a mission?

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COCAINE AND CRACK
Short-lived fantasy high, long lasting real-life
nightmare.
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COCAINE/CRACK

• Whats the difference?
• Cocaine is the powdered form of the drug, usually
  sniffed up the nose, but sometimes diluted
  injected into a vein.
• Crack is the purest form of cocaine and is smoked.

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COCAINE/CRACK

• In any form it causes immense cravings it is
  highly addictive in a very short time.
• Users develop a marked tolerance more is needed
  to achieve the same effect as before.

• Addicts empty bank accounts, sell possessions,
  commit crimes, sell bodies, and betray loved ones
  to get more of the drug.

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Physical Effects ofCOCAINE

• Increased blood pressure, heart rate, breathing,
  and temperature.
• Irregular heart rhythm altered blood
  pressure.

• Heart attack, strokes and respiratory failure.
• Hepatitis or AIDS from shared needles.
• Reduction of the bodys ability to resist or
  combat infection.

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Psychological Effects of COCAINE

• Violent, erratic, or paranoid behavior.
• Hallucinations and coke bugs the sensation of
  bugs crawling over 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, and other activities.

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COCAINE/CRACK

• It wont happen to me, you say?
• In a recent year over 165,000 emergency room
  visits were due to cocaine use.
• In that year, over 4500 users died from cocaine,
  not including those murdered for using or selling
  it.
• Up to 75 of people who try cocaine will become
  addicted to it. Only 1 out of 4 who try to quit
  will be able to without help.

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Is cocaine use worth jeopardizing my future?

• Do a line and you may do some time!

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PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
Legal when used as PRESCRIBED by a physician.
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PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

• The nonmedical use or abuse of prescription drugs
  is a serious and growing public health problem in
  the U.S.
• Prescription drugs are legal but only if you
  have a prescription for them.
• Doctors write prescriptions based on health
  conditions, body size and other factors. Using
  them without a prescription (or letting someone
  else use them) is illegal and dangerous.

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PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

• The most commonly abused prescription drugs are
• Stimulants may cause increased or irregular heart
  beat, paranoia, or seizures.
• Narcotics (Pain Relievers) Can easily lead to
  addiction or serious overdose.
• Depressants cause slow brain functioning,
  confusion and memory loss.

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PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

• Many depressants have warning labels like, Do
  Not use when operating motor vehicles or heavy
  equipment. They can impair your driving ability
  the same as alcohol.

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DRUG TESTING FORPRESCRIPTION DRUGS

• Effective 1 OCT 05, all specimens will be tested
  for Oxycodone.
• Remember The use of bodybuilding supplements
  containing steroids are prohibited and are
  illegal.
• THC consumed in any form is prohibited.

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WHAT IS AT STAKE?

• Its my body, its my life... is a line that
  can be very costly to
• Your Family
• Your Career
• Your Future
• Your Reputation
• Your Life!

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FOR MORE INFORMATION

• Several helpful resources and websites are
  available
• www.intheknowzone.com
• www.saying-no.com
• www.streetdrugs.org
• www.health.org
• www.freevibe.com
• www.theantidrug.com

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QUESTIONS?

• For more information on substance abuse, its
  effects or treatment, please contact your
  National Guard Joint Substance Abuse Office at
• [phone]

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JOINT SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROGRAM (JSAP)

• UNIT DRUG EDUCATION BRIEFING
• 1 October 2005