Managing the Risks - Drug Use and Abuse - Presentation 3 of 9

Managing the RisksA Risk Management Presentation

For UT Dallas Student Organizations

Drug Use and Abuse

Presentation 3 of 9

Objectives• Review facts about drug problems on college

campuses• Identify the drugs of concern on college campuses• Learn how to tell if someone may have a drug

problem• Understand the consequences associated with drug

possession, use or abuse• Identify ways student leaders can help someone

who may have a drug problem• Identify ways student organizations can prevent

drug abuse and appropriately intervene• Identify the resources for prevention and

intervention.MANAGING THE RISKS ● Drug Use and Abuse

Recent News Stories Involving Drugs On College

Campuses

MANAGING THE RISKS ● Drug Use and Abuse

Southern Methodist UniversityFrom December 2006 to May 2007, three SMU

studentsdied from excessive use of alcohol or drugs.

Subsequentinvestigations revealed a campus culture that

condonedillegal drug use, possession, and distribution.Oregon State UniversityIn April 2008, six OSU students were arrested at

theiroff-campus residences in connection with a drugtraffic king ring that was distributing cocaine,

Ecstasy,and marijuana on and near the main campus.


San Diego State UniversityOn May 6, 2008, 33 SDSU students were arrested

on avariety of drug-related charges including

distribution ofillegal narcotics through several fraternity

houses.Pennsylvania State UniversityIn April 2009, four Penn State students and two

formerstudents were charged with distribution of more

than400 pounds of marijuana. Two of the students

arrestedwere dealing drugs out of their fraternity houses.MANAGING THE RISKS ● Drug Use and Abuse

What Are The Drugs Of Concern On College

Campuses?


• Marijuana• Cocaine• Heroin• Hallucinogens

Illicit Drugs Used Or Abused On College Campuses


Facts• Common names:

cannabis; pot; weed; grass; mary jane

• Marijuana (or cannabis) is a fast-growing plant with sticky flowers that produces the psychoactive substance THC.

• The primary effects sought by those users are euphoria, relaxation, and changes in perception.

MarijuanaRisks• Nausea or vomiting• Coughing, asthma, and

other respiratory problems

• Difficulty with short term memory

• Racing heart or agitation• Anxiety or panic attacks• Headaches, dizziness,

confusion• Possible physical and

psychological dependence

• Clumsiness, loss of coordination


Facts• Common Names: Coke;

Crack; Blow; Snow; Nose Candy

• Cocaine is a stimulant extracted and refined from the Coca Plant

• The primary effects sought by users include feelings of well-being, decreased appetite, heightened stimulation, sexual arousal, and increased focus.

CocaineRisks• Increased body

temperature and heart rate

• Agitation, anxiety, and paranoia

• Dizziness, nausea, or vomiting

• Violent behavior• Kidney failure• Seizure, stroke, or heart

attack• Severe damage to the

nose Increased chances of miscarriage, premature labor, and stillbirth

• High probability of dependence on cocaine


• OxyContin• Vicodin• Fentanyl• Ambien• Valium

Prescription Drugs Abused On College Campuses


• Xanax• Ritalin• Adderall• Dexedrine

Facts• Common names for

Adderall: brain food, smarts, little speedy, and altoids

• Common names for ritalin: poor man’s cocaine, R pop, coke junior, study buddies, and vitamin R

• The primary effects sought by users include staying awake, improving concentration and losing weight.

Adderall & RitalinRisks (when abused)• Insomnia• Headaches• Fever• Increased heart rate• Lower GPA• Extremely high addictive

potential


Xanax


Facts• Common names for:

Xanax; Nirvana• Xanax is a sedative

and depressant prescribed for anxiety disorder, panic attacks, and sleeplessness.

• If it used recreationally (abused) to relax and relieve stress

Risks (when abused)• Headaches, drwsiness,

dizziness and amnesia• Clumsiness, loss of

muscle coordination• Vivid dreams or

hallucinations• Dry mouth• Changes in libido• Yellowing of skin or eyes• Rash or an allergic

reaction• Regular or excessive use

can lead to dependence and addiction

• Dramamine• Tylenol PM• Sominex• Cold Medicine/DXM

OTC Drugs And Other Substances

Abused On College Campuses• Salvia• Aspirin• Diet pills• Alcohol


Why Do College Students Take Drugs?


1. Genetics and Family History2. Parental Attitudes and Behaviors3. Substance Abuse in High School4. Perceived Expectations of Positive Effecs5. Mental Health Problems6. Social Influences7. Student Organization Membership8. Religion and Spirituality9. Student Engagement10.Competitive Sport Participation

Factors Affecting Drug Use Or Abuse



What Are The Signs That Someone Has A Drug

Problem?

• Life problems related to the drug use• Setting and exceeding limits• Making promises about use and breaking those

promises• Lying about or trying to hide the amount/frequency

of drug use• Forgetting or denying things that happened while

intoxicated• Behaving very differently when intoxicated than

when sober• Avoiding social functions where drugs are not

available.• Feeling guilty, embarrassed, or remorseful about

things done/said while intoxicated• Very high tolerance

Drug Problem Red Flags


What Are The Consequences Associated

With A Drug Problem?


• Greater risk for health problems including infection from blood-borne pathogens, lung disease, heart problems, brain damage, liver damage, and death from overdose.

DRUG PROBLEMS: POTENTIAL EFFECTS ON HEALTH AND

WELL-BEING


Drug Problems: Potential Effects On College Education• College Students who use or abuse illicit and

prescription drugs do not perform well academically including having lower GPAs.

• Federal and state laws bar certain students with past drug convictions from receiving financial aid.

• Suspension is the recommended penalty for the illegal use, possession, and/or sale of a drug or drug paraphernalia.


Drug Problems: Potential Effects On Graduate School Or

Employment• Many companies have a “zero tolerance” policy for

drug convictions regardless of the position.

• Almost all professional schools including medicine and law conduct criminal background checks on applicants.

• Most states require a criminal background check for those individuals seeking licensure in certain fields (e.g., teaching, law, and medicine).


Drug Problems: Potential Effects On Participation In

Athletic Activities


• Many professional sports leagues and amateur athletic associations have banned the use or possession of illegal drugs, steroids, and certain prescription drugs by athletes.

• Athletes who test positive for prohibited drugs and steroids may be subject to sanctions:‒ Loss of recognition‒ Removal of accomplishments from record books‒ Suspensions‒ Fines‒ Lifetime bans

• Federal and state laws also make it illegal to possess or sell anabolic steroids without a valid prescription. Violations of these laws can include fines and jail time.

Drug Problems: Potential Effects On Family, Friends,

And Peers• Drug abuse by a pregnant women can result in miscarriages, still births, underdevelopment, or risk to the developing baby’s health.

• Family and domestic violence also occurs more frequently in households where one or more individuals is abusing or is addicted to drugs.

• Abusing drugs (including the mixing of drugs and alcohol) can also lead to higher risk of injury or death as a result of car accidents.


WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP?


Why should I be the one who gets involved?• As an officer or authorized representative of your

student organization, you bear an important responsibility for keeping your members safe.

How can one member’s actions affect my organization?• Use, possession, or distribution of illicit drugs or

abuse of prescription drugs can expose your organization to university discipline, criminal charges, or lawsuits.

Intervening: Deciding To Help


Am I just overreacting?• If you are noticing that a member of your

organization is having problems you are not overreacting. Something is probably wrong.

Why get involved if they are not hurting anyone?• Don’t wait for a friend or peer to “bottom out,”

drop out of school, or hurt themselves or someone else before you decide to take action.


Intervening: Deciding To Help

Talk with a professional• Health Center: 972-883-4275• Counseling Center: 972-883-2747

Conduct an Intervention• Help a peer or friend understand and accept the

nature of their relationship with drugs, ask them to address the problem, and lead them to help.

INTERVENING: TAKINGACTION


• Pay attention to specific behaviors that concern you• Share your concerns• Listen to what they say• Ask for what you want• Offer to find them help.

How To Conduct An Intervention


What Can My Organization Do To Help?


Engage in prevention and intervention dialogue• Talk with other officers, alumni, and parents

about ways to maintain a drug-free culture.• Explain to all members the expectations for

appropriate behavior and conduct at organization events.

Identify members who may be at risk• Make sure your organization’s leaders know the

signs associated with drug use or abuse.• Maintain good communication with the other

leaders of your group to know when a member may be in trouble.

Prevention: Risk ManagementStrategies


Understand the resources available• Review university and other resources that

provide facts, risks, and prevention and intervention tools.

• Attend a workshop or training session offered by the university or have someone come talk to your group

Attend/host prevention programs and events• Host an event, bring in a guest speaker to

increase awareness about drug abuse.



Develop policies and procedures• Include drug-free statements in important

documents such as event flyers and recruitment materials.

• Develop written steps for intervening if a member of your organization has a drug problem.



Summary And Review Of Your Knowledge


• As a student leader, you are responsible for health and safety of all of the members of your organization as well as their conduct during events and activities.

• Abuse of prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications is one of the biggest drug-related problems on college and university campuses.

• Intervening to help a peer who has a drug problem requires someone to recognize the signs, make the choice to help, and then take action.

• Illicit drugs include any drug for which it is unlawful to use, possess, or distribute by law and include cocaine, marijuana, and Ecstasy.

SUMMARY


• Prescription drug abuse is the use of prescription drugs – such as Xanax, Ritalin, and Adderall – in ways not intended by the prescribing doctor.

• College students are more likely to abuse prescription drugs because they are widely available, free, and are not considered to be as harmful as illicit drugs.

• There are signs – physical, psychological, and behavioral – that you can watch out for that tell you that a friend or peer has (or may have) a drug problem.

• Peer pressure, desire to belong to a student organization, and previous drug use in high school are all factors contributing to drug use (or abuse) in college.

SUMMARY


• The illegal use, possession, or sale of drugs can result in severe consequences including loss of financial aid, suspension from school, lost job opportunities, physical harm, and criminal penalties.

• Appropriate ways for a person to help someone with a drug problem include talking with a professional, calling the health center at 972-883-2747

SUMMARY


UNIVERSITY RESOURCES

Interventions, Referrals, Training and Treatment

• UTD Counseling Center972-883-2575

utdallas.edu/counseling

• Health Services972-883-4275


http://www.utdallas.edu/counseling


Educational Materials and Training

• Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs http

://www.utexas.edu/student/vpsa/security/drugfree/index.html

• UHS Health Promotions Resource CenterMANAGING THE RISKS ● Drug Use and Abuse

http://www.utexas.edu/student/vpsa/security/drugfree/index.html





University Discipline

http://www.utdallas.edu/judicalaffairs/UTDJudicialAffairs-HOPV.html

Texas Law

http://www.utdallas.edu/thatguy/penalties/




http://www.utdallas.edu/thatguy/penalties/

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS

Discuss with your organization’s leadership• Faculty/staff advisor• Risk Management Officer (or other officer)• Alumni members/organization


1) Clink on the link below to get started https://elearningpilot.utdallas.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp

2) Login with your netID and Password3) In the my organizations box click on Risk Management

Quizzes 2012-20134) Click on the quiz title that you will take.5) Click Begin. As you proceed make sure all answers are

saved.6) Once you have answered and Saved all ten questions click

save and submit.7) Wait for the submission report. Click ok to view results8) If you have scored an 80% you may move on to the next

quiz. If you have not scored an 80% you must retake the quiz until you have received a score of 80%

Review Your Knowledge

https://elearningpilot.utdallas.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp

https://elearningpilot.utdallas.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp

Health & Medicine

Managing the Risks - Drug Use and Abuse - Presentation 3 of 9