INFLUENCES ON THE USE OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, AND OTHER DRUGS THE ROLE OF FAMILY, COMMUNITY, AND CULTURAL NORMS

VALUES VOTING PLEASE STAND UP IF YOU AGREE WITH THE STATEMENT BEING READ Teens are less likely to smoke if their parent(s) think it is wrong. Teens are less likely to smoke if their parent(s) have clear rules against smoking. Teens are more likely to drink if a family member has a drinking problem. If teens feel their parents might catch them, they are less likely to drink alcohol. If teens feel supported by their parents, they are less likely to use marijuana. Students who have siblings who smoke are more likely to use marijuana.

A FAMILIES ROLE IN DETERMINING SUBSTANCE ABUSE 1)If a parent uses, the child is much more likely to use Becomes accepted within the family 2) Children who have “absent parents” are more likely to use due to lack of supervision 3) Parents can pass an “addiction gene” to their child which makes their child more likely to become addicted if they try a substance

A COMMUNITIES ROLE IN DETERMINING SUBSTANCE ABUSE Depending on your neighborhood, access to substances may be easy Substance abuse becomes a norm in many communities Many communities have local organizations to help those struggling with substance abuse

HOW DOES POP CULTURE ENCOURAGE SUBSTANCE USE? WHAT MESSAGES ARE SENT TO THE YOUTH? SHOW APPROX FIRST 2 MINUTES

HOW POP CULTURE DETERMINES SUBSTANCE ABUSE 1 out of 3 songs mentions drugs, alcohol, or tobacco use. Media depicts drunkenness as laughable and does not show the negative outcomes Tobacco companies pay media companies to have characters/celebrities smoke their cigarettes Overall, substance abuse is GLAMORIZED

PROTECTIVE VS. RISK FACTORS Protective Factors: anything that prevents or reduces vulnerability to risk (including using alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs). Risk Factors: characteristics that increase vulnerability to risk (including using alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs).

VALUES TUG OF WAR Protective Factors Has positive family communication Caring school environment Has positive adult role models Bonds with school Experiences positive peer influence Has a sense of purpose Feels safe at home and at school Is involved in service to others Participates in creative activities Clear rules and consequences Has high level of self esteem Is involved in youth programs Risk Factors Spends a great deal of time alone Perceives school as uncaring Has few/no positive adult role models Feels detached from school Experiences negative peer influence Has no sense of purpose Does not feel safe at home or school Has no service involvement Not involved in creative activities Has no clear rules of consequences Has unhealthy self-esteem Is not involved in youth programs

VALUES TUG OF WAR We always have a choice to avoid harmful and illegal substances. Having protective factors makes it easier to make a healthy decision and stick to it. Having more risk factors makes it harder.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE EFFECTS ON PEOPLE AS WELL AS SOCIETY AS A WHOLE

AGREE OR DISAGREE? Give a thumbs up if you AGREE and a thumbs down if you DISAGREE: Smoking marijuana is a form of substance abuse Take prescription medication not prescribed by your physician is not substance abuse Taking diet pills to keep from eating is substance abuse Sniffing fumes from aerosol cans is not substance abuse Taking over the counter sleep medication every night for over a month because you cannot get to sleep without it, is a form of substance abuse

SUBSTANCE Refers to medications, illegal drugs, and toxins. Some of these substances have an intoxicating effect, desired by the user, and can have either stimulating or depressive effects on the body.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE Use of a chemical, drug, or a toxin for a non-medicinal purpose or continual pathological use of medication. Any pattern of substance use which results in repeated adverse social consequences related to drug taking. For example, failure to meet school, family or work obligations, interpersonal conflicts, or legal problems.

THE “RIPPLE EFFECT” OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE THE EFFECTS OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE USER! Increase in unintentional injuries which affect innocent victims Increase in pre-mature deaths Increase in health-care costs Increase in insurance costs Employers suffer productivity losses Families must repair physical and emotional damage caused by the user Increase in robbery, murder, and assault  Leads to increased costs of law enforcement and legal fees  Increased taxes

FINANCIAL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE The Office of National Drug Control Policy estimates: $193 Billion a year