How to Recognize and What to Do About Drugs Drugs, Alcohol, RX Use Prevention Workshop

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How to Recognize and What to Do About
DrugsDrugs, Alcohol, RX Use Prevention Workshop

• Nancy L. Rose, MA, L.C.D.C.
• Coordinator
• Safe Drug Free Schools and Communities
• Cypress-Fairbanks I. S. D.

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SESSION OBJECTIVES

• Understand developmental issues as they relate to
  mental health
• Recognize the difference between healthy behavior
  and those behaviors which require intervention
  with trained specialists
• Identify causes, signs, and symptoms of
  drug/alcohol use
• Explore strategies for responding to students who
  may be involved in unhealthy or illegal behaviors
• Identify positive steps for helping students
  maintain good mental health

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DEVELOPMENTAL ISSUES

• Coping with physical, emotional, and intellectual
  changes
• Searching for own identity
• Critical of parents and authority
• Moody and self-centered
• Unpredictable interested in new behaviors
• Strongly influenced by peer group and media

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NATIONAL STATISTICS

• Tobacco use. . .
• 4 million teenagers regularly smoke
• 25 of high school seniors smoke
• There is a link between smoking and drug/alcohol
  use among students
• Alcohol and other drugs . . .
• Alcohol is Americas 1 drug problem among young
  people
• Many students report that their first experience
  with drinking took place at age 10
• 50 of automobile accidents, violence, suicide,
  and sexual involvement are the result of alcohol
  use

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PREDISPOSING FACTORSFor High-risk Behaviors

• Family history or alcoholism or other addictions
• Family stress or crisis with lack of social
  support
• Exposure at home to high-risk or unhealthy
  behaviors such as drinking, smoking
• Behavior meets with peer approval and acceptance
• Concerns about sexual orientation and social
  acceptance
• Poor performance in school or social isolation
  from peers
• Intense pressure for performance, academic
  achievement, athletic appearance, or other
  accomplishments
• Need for stimulation and high-risk behaviors

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Signs and Symptoms ofAlcohol or Other Drug Use

• Changes in behavior
• Lying, anger, hostility, aggression, extreme mood
  swings
• Indifference in appearance, withdrawal and
  isolation
• Loss of interest in hobbies and activities
• Sleeping during class
• Deteriorating performance at school or work
  truancy/tardy
• Reluctance to discuss certain topics changes in
  music and friends
• Identification with drug culture, in
  conversation, jokes, slogans on tee shirts,
  notebook graphics

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• Physical and mental deterioration
• Short attention span
• Strange conversations, poor coordination
• Slurred speech, bloodshot eyes
• Persistent cough, runny nose
• Combination of hyperactivity and lethargy
• Stealing or constant need for money
• Pattern of rule violations at home and school
• Rumors of your teenager being involved in partying

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Strategies for Responding to Drugs/Alcohol Use

• If you suspect a student is involved in
  drug/alcohol use
• Establish rules and be consistent
• Be knowledgeable about effects of drugs and
  school/local laws governing use
• Check for signs and symptoms of use on a regular
  basis follow protocol
• State your concern follow procedures established
  on your campus
• Document behavior

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STRATEGIES FOR SUPPORTING Healthy Lifestyle
Choices

• Have on-going conversations about rules and
  expectations
• Set limits and enforce them consistently
• Praise for accomplishments
• Make your home an inviting place for teens
• Listen and acknowledge your childs feelings
• Model and teach strategies for assertiveness
• Use current events to discuss health risks
• Encourage communication without judging

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DID YOU KNOW?

• This is the reality!

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Supervision

• Teenagers are more likely to be involved with
  drugs and other unhealthy behaviors between 3-6
  p.m. when adults are not around.
• Source National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign

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Meaningful Activities

• If a child is involved in positive after-school
  activities with adult supervision, such as
  sports, jobs, clubs, after-school programs, they
  are 48 less likely to get into trouble.
• Source National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign

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Inhalants

• Only tobacco and alcohol are more popular than
  inhalants among drug-using youngsters.
• Source National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign

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Ecstasy

• Club drugs such as ecstasy can lead to
  depression, drug cravings, paranoia (and in some
  cases psychotic episodes), blurred vision and
  dangerous increases in heart rate and blood
  pressure.
• Source National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign

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Prevention Tools

• Classrooms with clear rules and consequences,
  praising and rewarding desirable behavior help to
  prevent unhealthy behaviors.
• Source National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign

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Illicit Drugs

• 53 of young people have tried an illicit drug
  by the time they finish high school.
• If inhalant-use is included, 32 have tried an
  illicit drug as early as the 8th grade.
• Source National Institute on Drug Abuse

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Tobacco

• 27 of 12th graders are current smokers
• 57 of young people have tried cigarettes by the
  12th grade
• 31 of 8th graders have tried cigarettes
• Source National Institute on Drug Abuse

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Alcohol

• 78 of students have consumed alcohol (more than
  just a few sips) by the end of high school
• 47 have done so by the 8th grade
• Source National Institute on Drug Abuse

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Marijuana

• 38 of all U.S. high school seniors have used
  marijuana in the last 12 months.
• 89 say marijuana is fairly easy or very easy
  to get.
• Source National Institute on Drug Abuse

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YOU MAKE THE DIFFERENCE!

• You are one of the most influential adults a
• students life.

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Thank you for coming!

• While we worry about the difficult choices our
  students will make and the tough decisions they
  face, with love, support and encouragement they
  will be armed with the ability to protect and
  cherish their health.
• The more information we have the better guidance
  and direction
• we can give.