2014 Drug & Alcohol Awareness

JUST SAY NO!2 MARCH 26, 2014 The Daily News2

BY MARCELE HANEMANNTHE DAILY NEWS

Substance abuse is not newand it’s not going away. It’s alsonot just a problem amongadults. Every week, perhapsevery day, Washington Parishschool students partake of so-called “gateway drugs” orworse.

According to the LouisianaCaring Communities YouthSurvey, which is conductedevery two years, the substancesof choice may vary, but experi-mental usage by youth contin-ues, and it often leads to lifelongaddictions.

Experts say the best way tocure an addict is to not let himor her become one in the firstplace.

Eddie Ratcliff, director ofcommunity services for theWashington Parish Sheriff ’sOffice, urges parents to stand bytheir children and guide themthrough the often difficult transi-tional years of adolescence.

“When it comes to the issue ofrisky behavior, the pre-teen andearly teen years can be the mostimportant times in a child’s life,” hesaid. “Increased exposure to tobac-co, alcohol and marijuana put chil-dren of these age groups at immedi-

ate risk.”At the same time, the kids may feel

especially frail and unsure of them-selves, said Ratcliff. That can makebehavior altering substances espe-cially attractive.

“Life is often difficult forteenagers,” he said. “They’re unhap-py and uncomfortable with them-selves about troubles they often face,

like family conflicts, school failureand peer rejection. The emotionalclimates in their home can makethem susceptible to substanceabuse.”

Parents can and should continue toplay an active, vital role as their chil-dren get older, Ratcliff advises.

“Inadequate parental involvementand lack of supervision can put your

teenager at risk,” he said. “Poorfamily communication canmake problems worse. Whenyouth feel isolated and unhappy,and have neither a healthy out-let for their frustration nor atrusted confidant, they mayturn to chemicals for relief.

“However, the teen years aretimes for parents to be powerfulrole models for their kids. Theyneed your help, guidance andlimits to keep them substancefree. As a parent or caregiver,you have a tremendous influ-ence on your child’s life. Yourconstant and caring involve-ment can help inspire your childto make healthy, drug-free choic-es.”

Ratcliff offers the followingtips for parents to help theirchildren live drug-free:

· Show them you care.Reinforce your love. Say thewords, “I love you.”

· Listen to your kids. Givethem your undivided attention.

· Be careful not to criticize thechild. Criticize the behavior.

· Involve your youth in construc-tive after-school activities. Studentswho participate in drama clubs, aca-demic clubs, school newspapers,band, chorus and community proj-ects are significantly less likely touse chemical substances.

The end of substance abuse begins with kids

JUST SAY NO!The Daily News MARCH 26, 2014 33

Getting the factsAs parents, we need to know about alcohol and

other drugs so that we can provide our childrenwith current and correct information. If we havea working knowledge of common drugs--knowtheir effects on the mind and body, and the symp-toms of their use we can discuss these subjectsintelligently with our children. In addition, wellinformed parents are better able to recognize if achild has symptoms of alcohol or drug-relatedproblems: At a minimum, you should:

--know the different types of drugs and alcoholmost commonly used and the dangers associatedwith each;

--be able to identify paraphernalia associatedwith each drug; be familiar with the street namesof drugs; know what drugs look like;

--know the signs of alcohol and other drug useand be alert for changes in your child's behavioror appearance;

--know how to get help promptly if you suspectyour child may be using alcohol and other drugs.

Children and alcoholParents who are clear about not wanting their

children to use illicit drugs may find it harder tobe tough about alcohol. After all, alcohol is legalfor adults, many parents drink, and alcohol is apart of some religious observances. As a result,we may view alcohol as a less dangerous sub-stance than other drugs. The facts say otherwise:

* 4.6 million teenagers have a drinking prob-lem.,

* 4 percent of high school seniors drink alcoholevery day.

* Alcohol-related accidents are the leadingcause of death among young people 15 to 24 yearsof age.

* About half of all youthful deaths in drowning,fires, suicide, and homicides are alcohol related.

* Young people who use alcohol at an early ageare more likely to use alcohol heavily and to havealcohol-related problems; they are also more like-ly to abuse other drugs and to get into troublewith the law.

* Young people whose body weight is lower thanadults reach a higher blood alcohol concentrationlevel than adults and show greater effects forlonger periods of time.

Facts on tobaccoWe know that smokers are 10 times as likely as

nonsmokers to develop lung cancer and 3 timesas likely to die at early ages from heart attack. Infact, in 1985, smoking was the leading cause ofearly death among adults. Nicotine, the activeingredient in tobacco, is as addictive as heroin,and fewer than 20 percent of smokers are able toquit the first time they try. Despite these facts,many children use these products.

· 18 percent of high school seniors are dailysmokers; 11 percent smoke 10 or more cigarettes

per day.· Young people who use cigarettes are also at

great risk for all other drug use.· 70 percent of all children try cigarettes, 40

percent of them before they have reached highschool.

· Cigarettes contain more than 4,000 harmfulsubstances, several of which cause cancer.

· 12 percent of boys and 1 percent of girls havechewed tobacco or used snuff. Smokeless tobaccois just as addictive and harmful as tobacco that issmoked.

COUGHINGISN’T COOL!!

BE SMART — DON’T START!

Just say no to alcohol and tobacco

JUST SAY NO!4 MARCH 26, 2014 The Daily News4

Child rearing is one of themost important tasks anyoneever performs, and the one forwhich there is the least prepa-ration. Most of us learn how tobe parents through on-the-jobtraining and by following theexample that our parents set.Today the widespread use ofalcohol and other drugs sub-jects our children, families, andcommunities to pressuresunheard of 30 or 40 years ago.Frankly, many of us need helpto deal with this frighteningthreat to our children's healthand well-being. Recent surveysshow that we are makingprogress in our national battleagainst some drugs. Casual useis declining, attitudes arechanging, and we know moreabout what works to preventdrug use by our young people.

As parents, we can build onthat progress in our own fami-lies by having strong, lovingrelationships with our chil-dren, by teaching standards ofright and wrong, by setting andenforcing rules for behavior, byknowing the facts about alcoholand other drugs, and by reallylistening to our children.

Teaching valuesEvery family has expecta-

tions of behavior that are deter-mined by principles and stan-dards. These add up to "values."Children who decide not to usealcohol or other drugs oftenmake this decision becausethey have strong convictionsagainst the use of these sub-stances-convictions that arebased in a value system. Social,family, and religious valuesgive young people reasons tosay no and help them stick totheir decisions.

Here are some ways to helpmake your family's valuesclear:

· Communicate values openly.Talk about why values such ashonesty, self-reliance, andresponsibility are important,and how values help childrenmake good decisions. Teachyour child how each decisionbuilds on previous decisions asone's character is formed, andhow a good decision makes thenext decision easier.

· Recognize how your actionsaffect the development of your

child's values. Simply stated,children copy their parents'behavior. Children whose par-ents smoke, for example, aremore likely to become smokers.Evaluate your own use oftobacco, alcohol, prescriptionmedicines, and even over-the-counter drugs. Consider howyour attitudes and actions maybe shaping your child's choiceabout whether or not to usealcohol or other drugs. Thisdoes not mean, however, that ifyou are in the habit of havingwine with dinner or an occa-sional beer or cocktail youmust stop. Children can under-stand and accept that there aredifferences between whatadults may do legally and whatis appropriate and legal for chil-dren. Keep that distinctionsharp, however. Do not let yourchildren be involved in yourdrinking by mixing a cocktailfor you or bringing you a beer,and do not allow your child tohave sips of your drink.

· Look for conflicts betweenyour words and your actions.Remember that children arequick to sense when parentssend signals by their actions

that it's all right to duckunpleasant duties or to be dis-honest. Telling your child to saythat you are not at homebecause a phone call comes atan inconvenient time is, ineffect, teaching your child thatit is all right to be dishonest.

· Make sure that your childunderstands your family values.Parents assume, sometimesmistakenly, that children have"absorbed" values even thoughthey may be rarely or never dis-cussed. You can test your child'sunderstanding by discussingsome common situations at thedinner table; for example,"What would you do if the per-son ahead of you in line at thetheater dropped a dollar bill?"

Setting and enforcingrules against the use ofalcohol and other drugs

As parents, we are responsi-ble for setting rules for our chil-dren to follow. When it comes toalcohol and other drug use,strong rules need to be estab-lished to protect the well-beingof a child. Setting rules is only

half the job, however; we mustbe prepared to enforce thepenalties when the rules arebroken.

· Be specific. Explain the rea-sons for the rules. Tell yourchild what the rules are andwhat behavior is expected.Discuss the consequences ofbreaking the rules: what thepunishment will be, how it willbe carried out, how much timewill be involved, and what thepunishment is supposed toachieve.

· Be consistent. Make it clearto your child that a no- alco-hol/no-drug-use rule remainsthe same at all times--in yourhome, in a friend's home, any-where the child is.

· Be reasonable. Don't addnew consequences that havenot been discussed before therule was broken. Avoid unreal-istic threats such as, "Yourfather will kill you when hegets home." Instead, react calm-ly and carry out the punish-ment that the child expects toreceive for breaking the rule.

Setting rules and teaching valuesThe parent’s role in prevention


Educate Yourself... Know the enemyALCOHOLAlcohol consumption causes

a number of changes in behav-ior. Even low doses significantlyimpair the judgment and coor-dination required to drive a carsafely. Low to moderate doses ofalcohol can increase the inci-dence of a variety of aggressiveacts, including spouse and childabuse. Moderate to high dosesof alcohol cause markedimpairments in higher mentalfunctions, severely altering aperson's ability to learn andremember information. Veryhigh doses cause respiratorydepression and death.

Continued use of alcohol canlead to dependence. Sudden ces-sation of alcohol intake is likelyto produce withdrawal symp-toms, including severe anxiety,tremors, hallucinations, andconvulsions. Long-term effectsof consuming large quantitiesof alcohol, especially whencombined with poor nutrition,can lead to permanent damageto vital organs such as the brainand the liver. In addition, moth-ers who drink alcohol duringpregnancy may give birth toinfants with fetal alcohol syn-drome. These infants may suf-fer from mental retardation andother irreversible physical

abnormalities. In addition,research indicates that childrenof alcoholic parents are atgreater risk than other childrenof becoming alcoholics.

TOBACCOThe smoking of tobacco prod-

ucts is the chief avoidable causeof death in our society. Smokersare more likely than nonsmok-ers to contract heart diseasesome 170,000 die each year fromsmoking-related coronary heartdisease. Lung, larynx,esophageal, bladder, pancreatic,and kidney cancers also strikesmokers at increased rates.Some 30 percent of cancerdeaths (130,000 per year) arelinked to smoking. Chronic,obstructive lung diseases suchas emphysema and chronicbronchitis are 10 times morelikely to occur among smokersthan among nonsmokers.

Smoking during pregnancyalso poses serious risks.Spontaneous abortion, pretermbirth, low birth weights, andfetal and infant deaths are allmore likely to occur when thepregnant woman is a smoker.

Cigarette smoke containssome 4,000 chemicals, several ofwhich are known carcinogens.Perhaps the most dangerous

substance in tobacco smoke isnicotine. Nicotine is the sub-stance that reinforces andstrengthens the desire to smoke.Because nicotine is highlyaddictive, addicts find it verydifficult to stop smoking. Of1,000 typical smokers, fewerthan 20 percent succeed in stop-ping on the first try.

CANNABISAll forms of cannabis have

negative physical and mentaleffects. Several regularlyobserved physical effects ofcannabis are a substantialincrease in the heart rate, blood-shot eyes, a dry mouth andthroat, and increased appetite.

Use of cannabis may impairor reduce short-term memoryand comprehension, alter senseof time, and reduce ability toperform tasks requiring con-centration and coordination,such as driving a car.Motivation and cognition maybe altered, making the acquisi-tion of new information diffi-cult. Marijuana can also pro-duce paranoia and psychosis.

Because users often inhalethe unfiltered smoke deeply andthen hold it in their lungs aslong as possible, marijuana isdamaging to the lungs and pul-

monary system. Marijuanasmoke contains more cancer-causing agents than tobaccosmoke. Long-term users ofcannabis may develop psycho-logical dependence and requiremore of the drug to get the sameeffect. The drug can become thecenter of their lives.

INHALANTSThe immediate negative

effects of inhalants includenausea, sneezing, coughing,nosebleeds, fatigue, lack ofcoordination, and loss ofappetite. Solvents and aerosolsprays also decrease the heartand respiratory rates andimpair judgment. Amyl andbutyl nitrite cause rapid pulse,headaches, and involuntarypassing of urine and feces.Long-term use may result inhepatitis or brain damage.

Deeply inhaling the vapors, orusing large amounts over ashort time, may result in disori-entation, violent behavior,unconsciousness, or death.High concentrations ofinhalants can cause suffocationby displacing the oxygen in thelungs or by depressing the cen-tral nervous system to the pointthat breathing stops.

Long-term use can cause

weight loss, fatigue, electrolyteimbalance, and muscle fatigue.Repeated sniffing of concentrat-ed vapors over time can perma-nently damage the nervous sys-tem.

COCAINECocaine stimulates the cen-

tral nervous system. Its imme-diate effects include dilatedpupils and elevated blood pres-sure, heart rate, respiratoryrate, and body temperature.Occasional use can cause astuffy or runny nose, whilechronic use can ulcerate themucous membrane of the nose.Injecting cocaine with contami-nated equipment can causeAIDS, hepatitis, and other dis-eases. Preparation of freebase,which involves the use ofvolatile solvents, can result indeath or injury from fire orexplosion.

Crack or freebase rock isextremely addictive, and itseffects are felt within 10 sec-onds. The physical effectsinclude dilated pupils,increased pulse rate, elevatedblood pressure, insomnia, lossof appetite, tactile hallucina-tions, paranoia, and seizure.The use of cocaine can cause

SEE ENEMY, PAGE 14

JUST SAY NO!MARCH 26, 2014 The Daily News6

BBEELLIIEEFF

CCAARRIINNGG

CCHHAARRAACCTTEERR

DDRRUUGGFFRREEEE

GGOOAALLSS

RREESSPPEECCTT

SSOOBBEERR

EEDDUUCCAATTIIOONN

HHOONNEESSTTYY

RREESSPPOONNSSIIBBLLEE

TTRRUUSSTTWWOORRTTHHYY

FFRRIIEENNDDSS

PPRRIIDDEE

SSMMAARRTT

TTRRUUTTHH



never take prescription orOTC drugs with street drugsor alcohol. If you have anyquestions about how to takea drug, call your familyphysician or pharmacist.

3. Be a good role model byfollowing these same ruleswith your own medicines.Examine your own behaviorto ensure you set a goodexample. If you misuse yourprescription drugs, such asshare them with your kids,or abuse them, your teen willtake notice. Avoid sharingyour drugs and always followyour medical provider'sinstructions.

4. Properly conceal and dis-pose of old or unneeded med-icines in the trash. Unneededprescription drugs should behidden and thrown away inthe trash. So that teens orothers don't take them out ofthe trash, you can mix themwith an undesirable sub-stance (like used coffeegrounds or kitty litter) andput the mixture in an emptycan or bag. Unless the direc-tions say otherwise, do NOTflush medications down thedrain or toilet because thechemicals can pollute thewater supply. Also, removeany personal, identifiable

information from prescrip-tion bottles or pill packagesbefore you throw them away.

5. Ask friends and familyto safeguard their prescrip-tion drugs as well. Make sureyour friends and relatives,especially grandparents,know about the risks, too,and encourage them to regu-larly monitor their own med-icine cabinets. If there areother households your teenhas access to, talk to thosefamilies as well about theimportance of safeguardingmedications. If you don'tknow the parents of yourchild's friends, then make aneffort to get to know them,and get on the same pageabout rules and expectationsfor use of all drugs, includ-ing alcohol and illicit drugs.Follow up with your teen'sschool administration to findout what they are doing toaddress issues of prescrip-tion and over-the-counterdrug abuse in schools.

Talk to your teen about thedangers of abusing prescrip-tion and over-the-counterdrugs. These are powerfuldrugs that, when abused, canbe just as dangerous as streetdrugs. Tell your teen therisks far outweigh any "bene-fits."

FROM PAGE 7

DANGERS: Talk to your teens


A Quiz for Parents1. What is the most commonly used drug in the United

States? (a) heroin (b) cocaine (c) alcohol (d) marijuana

2. Name the three drugs most commonly used by children.3. Which drug is associated with the most teenage deaths?4. Which of the following contains the most alcohol? (a) a 12-ounce can of beer (b) a cocktail (c) a 12-ounce

wine cooler (d) a 5-ounce glass of wine (e) all contain equalamounts of alcohol.

5. Crack is a particularly dangerous drug because it is:(a) cheap (b) readily available (c) highly addictive (d)

all of the above6. Fumes from which of the following can be inhaled to

produce a high:(a) spray paint (b) model glue (c) nail polish remover (d) whipped cream canisters (e) all of the above7. People who have not used alcohol and other drugs before

their 20th birthday:(a) have no risk of becoming chemically dependent(b) are less likely to develop a drinking problem or use

illicit drugs (c) have an increased risk of becoming chemically depend-

ent.8. A speedball is a combination of which two drugs?(a) cocaine and heroin (b) PCP and LSD (c) valium and

alcohol (d) amphetamines and barbiturates9. Anabolic steroids are dangerous because they may

result in:(a) development of female characteristics in males (b) development of male characteristics in females (c)

stunted growth (d) damage to the liver and cardiovascularsystem (e) overaggressive behavior (f) all of the above

10. How much alcohol can a pregnant woman safely con-sume?

(a) a 6-ounce glass of wine with dinner (b) two 12-ouncebeers each day (c) five 4-ounce shots of whiskey a month(d) none

(Answers on Page 10)

These activities typically maintain a positive tone while focusing onthe realities of drug abuse and strategies to resist involvement inthe activity. Starting drug prevention at an early age ingrains themessage into the minds of the participants. Continued drugawareness education reinforces the early lessons.

Role PlayingDiscussion about the dangers of drugs becomes more effectivewhen the kids get a chance to apply the suggestions in a con-trolled environment. Create several scenarios that relate todrugs that children may encounter. Provide a brief setup forthe situation. Select student volunteers to play the variousroles in the scene. Allow them to act out the situation,encouraging them to employ the strategies that you havetaught in class. Hold a discussion with the class after eachscenario. Ask them if they would have handled it the sameway or if they have different suggestions. Remind the stu-dents to avoid criticism of the participants to maintain apositive and educational atmosphere.

PresentationsPromote the kids to teachers for the day by askingthem to create short presentations on drug-related top-ics. Brainstorm with the kids to create a list of topics for thepresentations. Ideas include how to say no, dangers of drugs, statis-tics on drug use, negative effects of smoking and handling peer pressure.Divide the kids into small groups, allowing each group to select a topic for its presentation.Provide a checklist of things that should be included in the presentation, such as an introduc-tion, a conclusion and a visual aid. Other specifications could include having every childpresent a portion of the information or providing a class-participation activity. Adjust the listto fit the ability level of the students in the classroom. Have the groups present their infor-mation to the class. Another option is to share the presentations with other classrooms in theschool.

Drug Prevention PledgeCompose a pledge for the students that revolves around avoiding drugs of any kind. Ideasinclude pledging to never try drugs, to avoid peer pressure or to leave a situation where drugsare involved. Tailor the message to the age group of the kids. Write the pledge on a largeposter or on the chalkboard. Make individual copies for each child. As a group, recite thepledge. Have the kids sign and date the individual copy of the pledge as a reminder.

Drug Awareness Activities for Kids


ANSWERS from Page 9

1. (c) Because it is legal for adults and widely accepted inour culture, alcohol is the drug most often used in theUnited States.

2. Alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana. These are the "gate-way" drugs, drugs that children are first exposed to andwhose use often precedes use of other drugs.

3. Alcohol. More than 10,000 teenagers died in alcohol-related traffic accidents in 1986; 40,000 more were injured.

4. (e) All four contain approximately 1.5 ounces of alco-hol

5. (d) Small quantities of crack can be bought for as littleas $5.00. The low price makes it easily affordable to youngpeople. In addition, crack is thought to be one of the mostaddictive drugs.

6. (e) Virtually anything that emits fumes or comes inaerosol form can be inhaled to obtain a high.

7. (b) Early use of alcohol and other drugs--often by age 15or less--is strongly associated with drug-related problemssuch as addiction.

8. (a) Combining cocaine and heroin is increasingly pop-ular as a way of trying to lessen or control bad side effects.

9. (f) Steroid users subject themselves to more than 70side effects. The liver and cardiovascular and reproductivesystems are most seriously affected by steroid use. Infemales, irreversible masculine traits can develop.Psychological effects in both sexes can cause very aggres-sive behavior and depression.

10. (d) Medical researchers have not established any safelimits for alcohol intake during pregnancy.

1. Living a drug-free life

2. Showing my friends that a drug free life is more fun

3. Helping my fellow Drug Free Kids

4. Learning more about how drugs really harm people

5. Telling people the truth about the harmful effects of drugs

6. Helping my family and friends to be drug-free

7. Setting a good example to everyone, by leading the wayto a drug-free USA

Drug Free Pledge


D E S I G N A N A N T I - D R U G B I L L B O A R D ! !


How wouldyou say NO??

List some phrases you coulduse to say no.


WHERE TO GET INFO AND HELPMany hospitals, community colleges, and otherorganizations offer classes for parents that aredesigned to improve communication andunderstanding between parents and children.Consult your local library, school, or communi-ty service organization for more information.Action. Through its Drug Alliance, the FederalDomestic Volunteer Agency promotes commu-nity based, volunteer drug use prevention proj-ects for at-risk youth and the elderly. (See yourtelephone Blue Pages.)Alcoholics Anonymous. This organization is afellowship of men and women who share theirexperiences to solve a common problem (alco-holism) and to help other alcoholics achievesobriety. The organization is worldwide. (Seeyour telephone White Pages.)Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters. Al-Anonwas established as a resource for family mem-bers and friends of alcoholics. It is a free, non-professional, worldwide organization with morethan 30,000 groups. (See your telephone WhitePages.)American Council for Drug Education. Thisorganization provides information on drug use,develops media campaigns, reviews scientificfindings, publishes books and a newsletter, andoffers films and curriculum materials for pre-teens. 204 Monroe Street, Rockville, MD20850. Telephone 1-800488 DRUG/(301) 294-0600.Chemical People Project. The project suppliesinformation in the form of tapes, literature, andseminars. The Public Television OutreachAlliance, c/o WQED-TV, 4802 Fifth Avenue,Pittsburgh, PA 15213. Telephone (412) 391-0900.Families Anonymous, Inc. This worldwideorganization offers a 12-step, self-help program

for families and friends of people with behav-ioral problems usually associated with drugabuse. The organization is similar in structureto Alcoholics Anonymous. P.O. Box 528, VanNuys, CA 91408. Telephone (818) 989-7841.Families in Action National Drug InformationCenter. This organization publishes Drug AbuseUpdate, a quarterly journal of news and infor-mation for persons interested in drug preven-tion. $25 for four issues. 2296 Henderson MillRoad, Suite 204, Atlanta, GA 30345. Telephone(404) 934-6364.Hazelden Foundation. This foundation distrib-utes educational materials and self-help litera-ture for participants in 12-step recovery pro-grams and for the professionals who work inthe field. Pleasant Valley Road, Box 176, CenterCity, MN 55012-0176. Telephone 1-800-3289000.Institute on Black Chemical Abuse. This insti-tute provides training and technical assistanceto programs that want to serve African-American/ black clients and others of colormore effectively. 2614 Nicollet Avenue,Minneapolis, MN 55408. Telephone (612) 871-7878."Just Say No" Clubs. These clubs provide sup-port and positive peer reinforcement to young-sters through workshops, seminars, newslet-ters, and a variety of activities. 1777 NorthCalifornia Boulevard, Suite 200, Walnut Creek,CA 94596. Telephone 1-800-258 2766/(415)939-6666.Nar-Anon Family Group Headquarters. Thisorganization operates in a manner similar toAlAnon and supports people who have friendsor family members with drug problems. WorldService Office, P.O. Box 2562, Palos VerdesPeninsula, CA 90274. Telephone (213) 547-

5800.Narcotics Anonymous. Similar to AlcoholicsAnonymous, this program is a fellowship ofmen and women who meet to help one anotherwith their drug dependency problems. WorldService Office, P.O. Box 9999, Van Nuys, CA91409. Telephone (818) 780- 3951. NationalClearinghouse for Alcohol and DrugInformation (NCADI). NCADI is a resource foralcohol and other drug information. It carries awide variety of publications dealing with alcoholand other drug abuse. Box 2345, Rockville, MD20852. Telephone 1-800-SAY NOTO/(301) 468-2600.National Council on Alcoholism, Inc. Thisnational voluntary health agency provides infor-mation about alcoholism and alcohol problemsthrough more than 300 local affiliates. 12 West21st Street, New York, NY 10010. Telephone(212) 206-6770. National Crime PreventionCouncil. This organization works to preventcrime and drug use in many ways, includingdeveloping materials (audio visual, repro-ducible brochures, and other publications) forparents and children. 1700 K Street, N.W.,Washington, D.C. 20006. Telephone (202) 466-NCPC.National Federation of Parents for Drug-FreeYouth, Inc. This organization sponsors theNational Red Ribbon Campaign to reduce thedemand for drugs and the ResponsibleEducated Adolescents Can Help (REACH) pro-gram designed to educate junior and seniorhigh school students about drug abuse. P.O.Box 3878, St. Louis, MO 63122. Telephone(314) 968-1322.National PTA Drug and Alcohol AbusePrevention Project. Offers kits, brochures,posters, and other publications on alcohol and

other drugs for parents, teachers, and PTAorganizations. 700 North Rush Street, Chicago,IL 60611. Telephone (312) 577-4500. SafeHomes. This national organization encouragesparents to sign a contract stipulating that whenparties are held in one another's homes theywill adhere to a strict no-alcohol/no drug- userule. P.O. Box 702, Livingston, NJ 07039.Toughlove. This national self-help group forparents, children, and communities emphasizescooperation, personal initiative, and action. Itpublishes a newsletter, brochures, and books,and it holds workshops. P.O. Box 1069,Doylestown, PA 18901. Telephone 1-800 333-1069/(215) 348-7090.

TOLL-FREE INFORMATION1-800-COCAINE--A COCAINE HELPLINEA round-the-clock information and referralservice. Recovering cocaine-addict counselorsanswer the phones, offer guidance, and referdrug users and parents to local public and pri-vate treatment centers and family learning cen-ters.1-800-NCA-CALL--NATIONAL COUNCIL ONALCOHOLISM INFORMATION LINEThe National Council on Alcoholism, Inc., is a national nonprofit organization that combatsalcoholism, other drug addictions, and relatedproblems. The council also providesreferralservices to families and individuals seeking helpwithalcoholism or other drug problems.

1-800-622-HELP NIDA HOTLINENIDA Hotline is a confidential information andreferral line that directs callers to cocaine abusetreatment centers in the local community. Freematerials on drug abuse are also distributed byrequest.


death by cardiac arrest or respi-ratory failure.

OTHER STIMULANTSStimulants can cause

increased heart and respiratoryrates, elevated blood pressure,dilated pupils, and decreasedappetite. In addition, users mayexperience sweating, headache,blurred vision, dizziness, sleep-lessness, and anxiety.Extremely high doses can causea rapid or irregular heartbeat,tremors, loss of coordination,and even physical collapse. Anamphetamine injection createsa sudden increase in blood pres-sure that can result in stroke,very high fever, or heart failure.

In addition to the physicaleffects, users report feeling rest-less, anxious, and moody.Higher doses intensify theeffects. Persons who use largeamounts of amphetaminesover a long period of time candevelop an amphetamine psy-chosis that includes hallucina-tions, delusions, and paranoia.These symptoms usually disap-pear when drug use ceases.

DEPRESSANTSThe effects of depressants are

in many ways similar to theeffects of alcohol. Smallamounts canproduce calmnessand relaxed muscles, but larger

doses can cause slurred speech,staggering gait, and altered per-ception. Very large doses cancause respiratory depression,coma, and death. The combina-tion of depressants and alcoholcan multiply the effects of thedrugs, increasing the risks.

Regular use of depressantsover time can result in physicaland psychological addiction.People who suddenly stop tak-ing large doses can experiencewithdrawal symptoms, includ-ing anxiety, insomnia, tremors,delirium, convulsions, anddeath. Babies born to motherswho abuse depressants mayalso be physically dependent onthe drugs and show withdrawalsymptoms shortly after they areborn. Birth defects and behav-ioral problems also may result.

HALLUCINOGENSPhencyclidine (PCP) inter-

rupts the functions of the neo-cortex, the section of the brainthat controls the intellect andkeeps instincts in check.Because the drug blocks painreceptors, violent PCP episodesmay result in self-inflictedinjuries. The effects of PCPvary, but users frequentlyreport a sense of distance andestrangement. Time and bodymovement are slowed down.Muscular coordination wors-ens and senses are dulled.Speech is blocked and incoher-

ent. In later stages of chronicuse, users often exhibit para-noid and violent behavior andexperience hallucinations.Large doses may produce con-vulsions and coma, as well asheart and lung failure.

Lysergic acid (LSD), mesca-line, and psilocybin cause illu-sions and hallucinations. Thephysical effects may includedilated pupils, elevated bodytemperature, increased heartrate and blood pressure, loss ofappetite, sleeplessness, andtremors. The user may experi-ence panic, confusion, suspi-cion, anxiety, and loss of con-trol. Delayed effects, or flash-backs, can occur even when usehas ceased.

NARCOTICSNarcotics initially produce a

feeling of euphoria that often isfollowed by drowsiness, nausea,and vomiting. Users also mayexperience constricted pupils,watery eyes, and itching. Anoverdose may produce slow andshallow breathing, clammyskin, convulsions, coma, andpossible death.

Tolerance to narcotics devel-ops rapidly and dependence islikely. The use of contaminatedsyringes may result in diseasesuch as AIDS, endocarditis, andhepatitis. Addiction in preg-nant women can lead to prema-ture, stillborn, or addicted

infants who experience severewithdrawal symptoms.

DESIGNER DRUGSIllegal drugs are defined in

the terms of their chemical for-mulas. To circumvent theselegal restriction undergroundchemists modify the molecularstructure of certain illegaldrugs to produce analogsknown as designer drugs. Thesedrugs can be several hundredtimes stronger than the drugsthey are designed to imitate.

The narcotic analogs cancause symptoms such as thoseseen in Parkinson's disease:uncontrollable tremors, drool-ing, impaired speech, paralysis,and irreversible brain damage.Analogs of amphetamines andmethamphetamines cause nau-sea, blurred vision, chills orsweating, and faintness. Psychlogical effects include anxiety,depression, and paranoia. Aslittle as one dose can causebrain damage The analogs ofphencyclidine cause illusions,hallucinations, and impairedperception.

ANABOLIC STEROIDSAnabolic steroids are a group

of powerful compounds closelyrelated to the male sex hormonetestosterone. Developed in the1930's, steroids are seldom pre-scribed by physicians today.

Current legitimate medical

uses are limited to certainkinds of anemia, severe burns,and some types of breast can-cer.

Taken in combination with aprogram of muscle-buildingexercise and diet, steroids maycontribute to increases in bodyweight and muscular strength.Steroid users subject them-selves to more than 70 sideeffects ranging in severity fromliver cancer to acne and includ-ing psychological as well asphysical reactions. The liverand cardiovascular and repro-ductive systems are most seri-ously affected by steroid use. Inmales, use can cause witheredtesticles, sterility, and impo-tence. In females, irreversiblemasculine traits can developalong with breast reduction andsterility. Psychological effects inboth sexes include very aggres-sive behavior known as "roidrage" and depression. Whilesome side effects appear quick-ly, others, such as heart attacksand strokes, may not show upfor years.

Signs of steroid use includequick weight and muscle gains(when used in a weight trainingprogram); aggressiveness andcombativeness; jaundice; pur-ple or red spots on the body;swelling of feet and lower legs;trembling; unexplained darken-ing of the skin; and persistentunpleasant breath odor.

ENEMY: Information is key to spotting drug use in kidsFROM PAGE 5



DRUG FREE BINGOJUST SAY

NO!BE DRUG

FREEMAKE GOOD

CHOICESBE

RESPONSIBLE

WALKAWAY

CARE ABOUT

YOUR FUTURE STAY INSCHOOL

SHOW GOODCHARACTER

TELL ANADULT

CHOOSEFR IENDS W ISELY

RESPECTYOUR BODY

GO TOCOLLEGE

STAY AWAY FROM

DRUGS

STAY AWAY FROM

ALCOHOL

SAY I DON’TWANT TO

EAT HEALTHYFOODS

Documents

2014 Drug & Alcohol Awareness