Tobacco, Alcohol and other Drugs

Coquille Talbert

Intervention and Prevention Specialist, MDHS

Intervention and Prevention Specialist/Drug and Alcohol Counselor

Different than other counselors (confidentiality) in other words: you don’t get in trouble

Help educate students and teachers Counsel students struggling with drugs and

alcohol Involved with disciplinary procedures

Why address Drugs & Alcohol in Schools? Brain storm Effects school performance Safe Schools Prevents delinquency or truancy Decreases violence at school Promote learning Education students on D & A issues Promote healthy lifestyles Give students opportunities for success

What is the School Policy?

If you are found in possession or under the influence of D & A during school hours, (time that school starts/when you leave your house in the morning) till the end of the school day OR while at a school event or on campus at any time. You have a automatic 5 day suspension with a pending 30 suspension. You have 48 hours to get a UA and assessment. If you comply with the UA and assessment within the 48 hour period you will not be given the long term 30 day suspension. Also, on-going proof of compliance with all recommendations is required.

Full Drug & Alcohol Policy is in your Student Planner

ALCOHOL For many people facts on alcoholism are

not clear What is alcoholism and how does it differ

from alcohol abuse? When should a person seek help? Teens and Alcohol

Moderation For many legal adults alcohol is a pleasant

accompaniment to meals or social activities Moderate alcohol use: is 1-2 drinks per day

for men and 1 drink per day for women and older adults.

Standard Serving Size: 12 ounce beer or wine

cooler one 5 ounce glass of

wine 1.5 ounces of 80-proof

“distilled sprits” liquor.

Examples

FACT: Binge drinking means having five or more

drinks on one occasion.

Alcohol A large number of people get into serious

trouble because of their drinking. Currently 15 million Americans (that’s 1 in

very 10 people) abuse alcohol or are alcoholic.

Heavy drinking can lead to… Certain cancers Liver disease Immune system

problems Brain damage Risks to fetus during

pregnancy Recreational and on the

job injuries Death: alcohol

poisoning & car crashes

FACT: As a teen your brain is still developing. New research shows that drinking during

your teen years can cause long-lasting harm to thinking abilities.

Alcoholism: “alcohol dependence” is a disease that

includes craving and loss of control around drinking and an increased tolerance.

Physical dependence: withdrawal symptoms from nausea and shakiness to even death.

Alcohol Abuse: Differs from Alcoholism because it does not include an

extremely strong craving for alcohol, loss of control or dependence.

Alcohol Abuse is defined as a patter of drinking that results in 1 or more of the following statements:

Failure to fulfill major work, school or home responsibilities. Drinking in situations that are dangerous such as driving a car Having recurring alcohol-related legal problems such as Dui or

hurting someone while drunk Continued drinking despite having relationship problems that

are caused or worsened by drinking

*Although Alcohol Abuse is different from alcoholism, alcoholics also experience many effects of alcohol abuse.

Alcohol is a drug… Teens that drink are more likely to: Be a victim of violent crime Have serious problems at school Be involved in drinking related traffic

crashes.

What are the signs of a Problem?

Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking?

Have people ever annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?

Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking? Have you ever had a drink first thing the morning as an

“eye opener” or to get rid of a hangover?

One “yes” suggests a possible alcohol problem. And if you answered “yes” to more than one question it is highly likely that a problem exists.

Getting drunk on a regular basis? Lying about how much alcohol he or she is using? Believing that alcohol is necessary to have fun or

celebrate an occasion? Having frequent hangovers? Having “blackouts” (forgetting what he or she did

while drinking)

How can you tell if a friend has a problem? → is your friend…

What can you do to help someone who has a drinking problem?

Encourage your friend to stop or seek professional help.

Refer them to the Intervention Specialist Make an anonymous referral.

Can Alcoholism be Cured? Alcoholism and abuse can be treated but

there is currently no “cure.” Although, current research has shown that

Topamax a prescription medication may curb the cravings for alcohol.

“Cutting down” on drinking doesn’t work. Cutting out alcohol is necessary for a successful recovery.

Does your mom or dad drink too much? It’s not your fault and you’re not alone. One in four teens live in families with

alcohol abuse or alcoholism. Talk to a caring adult. Many teachers,

counselors, coaches, youth ministers, doctors or a friend’s parent’s, aunt, uncle or grandparent may be anxious to help and are waiting for you to say something first.

FACT: one drink can make you fail a breathalyzer

test and you could loose your drivers license, get a really expensive fine or have your car permanently taken away.

Fatal Vision

Field Sobriety Test: The party's over!

Officer Moore

Volunteer?

Other Drugs

Marijuana AKA: Cannabis, pot, grass, weed, joint, herb, Mary

Jane, refer, chronic, ganja. Marijuana is from the hemp plant. The drug is derived

form dried leaves, stems, seeds and flowers. It can be

green, brown or gray.

Marijuana Fact: The active ingredient is THC, but pot

has over 400 chemicals some of which can cause lung cancer.

How is it used? Pot is smoked in a pipe, joint or in a bong (water

pipe). Or it can be cooked into food. Symptoms: Calm, mildly euphoric time slows down, music sounds better social inhibitions are decreased taste and smell are enhanced. In addition, short term memory is reduced, heart

rate increases, ideas flow rapidly, things seem hilarious,

Negative side affects Pot can cause you to become paranoid or

anxious when you’re high and after... Pot can cause you to become psychotic. Pot today is 50% stronger that pot in the

1970s B.C. Bud

Hot Topic: Medical Marijuana Smoking marijuana is difficult to justify

medically because the amount of THC in marijuana is not consistent, it would be difficult to come up with a safe and effective use of the drug because you could never be sure how much THC you were getting.

The Negative effects of Marijuana smoke on the lungs will offset the helpfulness of smoked marijuana form some patients.

Have you ever hear that lame line, “everyone’s doing it”

- Tell that person to check their facts! A research survey found that of all students

surveyed for pot use in the past month ONLY:

8.3% of 8th graders (said yes) 17.8% of 10th graders 21.5 % of 12th graders

Do you have a problem with Pot? Has smoking pot stopped being fun? Is it hard for you to imagine life without pot?” Do you find your friends are turned off by your pot use? Do you smoke to avoid thinking about or dealing with your

problems? Have you ever failed to keep promises you made about

cutting down or controlling your smoking? Has your pot smoking caused problems with your memory or

motivation? When you are almost out, do you feel anxious or worried? Have friends or relatives ever complained that your smoking

is damaging your relationship with them?

Hallucinogens: LSD, Mushrooms, PCP

Signs: trancelike stare, changes in senses, chills, trembling hands

Effects: perceptions: see, hear, smell, taste, and feel. Illusions, hallucinations, “tripping,” violence, depression, “awake,” coma, psychosis, death

Psilocybin / Magic Mushrooms

How are they taken? Magic mushrooms are eaten raw/dried,

cooked in food or stewed in a drink

Effects: Lasts around four hours The users sense of reality may be distorted.Consequences: mental health problems A poisonous mushroom could be eaten by

mistake sickness

PCP Comes in powder formEffects: Hallucinations, unpredictable calm, drowsy or violentConsequences: Difficulties with speech and thinking Depression Weight loss Mood disorders Using another drug at the same time like alcohol can lead to

a coma and death.

LSDDrops, on paperEffects: sleeplessness, trembling, raised heart rate and

blood pressure. LSD users may feel several emotions at once (including extreme terror) and their senses may seem to get crossed (hearing colors and seeing sounds)

Consequences: psychosis, flashbacks days or months after using the drug. Accidents, anxiety depression.

MDMA MDMA destroys nerve fibers and serotonin

neuron receptors. The neurotransmitter serotonin plays a part in mood, emotions and sleep.

This is a big problem, because once the receptor is damaged the re-growth pattern are not the same as before and this can lead to long term depression, anxiety, learning and memory.

Club drugs MDMA / Ecstasy Small colorful pills made in illegal factories

but marked with common logos? Why? To make users feel safe. A dose may be fine one time and kill you

the next.

Ecstasy

PMA in Ecstasy PMA may seem like a weak pill User takes another one Ecstasy is cheap to make, but PMA is even

cheaper.

Addiction Addicted to the emotional high and the

amphetamines in XTC

Stimulants

Stimulants Cocaine, Crack, Meth, Speed Power, grainy powder to rock form

What is the difference between meth and coke? Short story Discussion Very Very addictive! ANXIETY

Opiates: Heroin, OxyContin

Signs:

Loss of appetite, runny nose, watery eyes, lethargic. Scars on arms

Effects:

Euphoria, relaxed, nausea, depression, convulsions, coma death.

Drug use in social media How many songs can you think of that

mention drugs or drug use. Including alcohol.

Pairs – who can come up with the most.

Songs discussion

Peer Pressure Have you ever given into pressure? Like

when a friend begs to borrow something you don’t want to lend them? Or begs you to do something your parents say is off limits?

Chances are you have probably given into pressure at sometime in your life.

Examples of Peer Pressure: “why don’t you leave if you don’t want to

drink with us?” “you’re so lame” “it won’t hurt you” “your parents won’t find out” “you’ll have more fun” “Just take a hit/toke”

Unspoken Peer Pressure: A group of kids standing together, and everyone

is talking and maybe looking at something you can’t see, laughing and joking.

Kids who think they’re cool give you a certain look that means, “we’re cool and you’re not”

A group of popular kids all get the same phone or bag or something, and you want one too.

Peer pressure can be good too:friends can give peer pressure to….

Not smoke Be honest Avoid Alcohol/drugs Respect others Work hard Exercise/Sports

Do: Say “no” assertively Stay alcohol free Suggest something else to do Stand up for others Walk away from the situation

Peer pressure role play Count off groups of 4

Respect yourself