Alicia Ozenberger ACT Missouri (Special thanks to Tri-County Mental Health for the original presentation.)

What Drives Experimentation/Use Perceptions of Risk/Harm Perceptions of Availability Perceptions of Acceptability

Over the Counter Products Energy/Downer Drinks Inhalants Over the Counter (OTC) Medications

Regulation of Energy/Downer Drinks Energy/downer drinks are unregulated by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and have not been ‘recognized as safe’. The FDA does regulate the caffeine level of soft drinks to.02% or 71 mg per 12 ounces; however, because EDs contain herbal ingredients they are classified as “dietary supplements,” which are not subject to the same guidelines (FDA, 2007)

Caffeine Intoxication Symptoms: Nervousness/Anxiety Restlessness/Insomnia Gastrointestinal upset Tremors/Tics Arrhythmias and Tachycardia Psychomotor agitation (restlessness and pacing) Death (in rare cases)

Do Energy Drinks Give You Energy? Energy drinks work by causing an artificial “stress response” by causing the release of stored hormones and neurotransmitters in the body. Reductions in immune and endocrine system functioning. Energy Drinks work in the short term, but regular use will result in decreased energy levels and mood. Athletes need to be aware that for every high there comes an inevitable low or “CRASH”

Downer Drinks

“Downer” Drinks Calm in a Bottle Drank (the original)– a sweet purplish potion touted to deliver “extreme relaxation” Ichill – laced with melatonin and valerian root Sold as 2 oz shots RelaxZen - Vacation in a Bottle and Blue Cow (opposite of Red Bull) – at least 20 brands can be purchased on-line

Dietary Supplements Lazy Cakes

Lazy Cakes – The relaxation brownie Drug filled brownies containing melatonin, valerian root, passion flower and rose hips. Has enough melatonin to put the average adults into a deep sleep – recommended dosage is.2 mg., but each cake has 7.8 mg. Melatonin can cause impairment to the central nervous system, trouble breathing, and nausea. Valerian Root is comparable to valium or tranquilizers.

Lazy Cakes - Cont. Appealing to children since it looks like candy Sold in colorful, psychedelic wrappers and features a cartoon character – Larry Lazycakes. Its slogan is “Peace, Love and Lazy Cakes”

According to the 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), there were 729,000 persons aged 12 or older who had used inhalants for the first time within the past 12 months; 70 percent were under the age of 18.

How are inhalants used? “ Sniffing" or "snorting" fumes from containers Spraying aerosols directly into the nose or mouth “Bagging"—sniffing or inhaling fumes from substances sprayed or deposited inside a plastic or paper bag “Huffing" from an inhalant-soaked rag stuffed in the mouth Inhaling from balloons filled with nitrous oxide

DEADLY CONSEQUENCES Asphyxiation—from repeated inhalations, which lead to high concentrations of inhaled fumes displacing the available oxygen in the lungs Suffocation—from blocking air from entering the lungs when inhaling fumes from a plastic bag placed over the head Convulsions or seizures—from abnormal electrical discharges in the brain Coma—from the brain shutting down all but the most vital functions Choking—from inhalation of vomit after inhalant use Fatal injury—from accidents, including motor vehicle fatalities, suffered while intoxicated.

Over The Counter Medications (OTC) and Dietary Supplements -Cough and Cold Medicines -Diet Pills and Laxatives

( DXM (Dextromethorphan) Cough-suppressing ingredient in a variety of OTC cold and cough medications Produces feelings of euphoria Creates both depressant and mild hallucinogenic effects AKA-Robo, Skittles, Triple C’s, Dex, Vitamin D, and Tussin

Over The Counter Cough/Cold Medications Short-term effects Impaired judgment, nausea, loss of coordination, headache, vomiting, loss of consciousness, numbness of fingers and toes, abdominal pain, irregular heartbeat, aches, seizures, panic attacks, psychosis, euphoria, cold flashes, dizziness, and diarrhea. 5 5 Long-term effects Addiction, restlessness, insomnia, high-blood pressure, coma, or even death

Alcohol Nicotine Prescription Drugs

Dangers of teen drinking Teens don't just drink. They drink to excess. Age of first use Binge Drinking New products – alcopops, whipping cream, ice cream and hand sanitizer Boozy Bears Delivery methods: Bongs Tampons Enema Eyeballing

ALCOHOL + ENERGY DRINKS = DANGEROUS MIX! Mixes a strong stimulant with a depressant. You may feel more alert but actually the alcohol is having the same effect on you. So you might perceive that you are less impaired than you are. One study indicates that those who drink energy drinks are twice as likely to abuse other substances (including alcohol, tobacco and marijuana)

WHICH IS WHICH?

Healthy Alcohol?

NICOTINE TRENDS

Targeting Products To Youth New flavors and new products Cigarettes Smokeless Tobacco Little Cigars Many flavors Candy- bubble gum Fruit- sour apple Alcohol- scotch

HOOKAH Consists of Flavored Tobacco (fruit) Peach Grape Mango Strawberry Cherry Mint

Smokeless tobacco comes in a variety of candy flavors

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Misuse of Rx drugs has recently surpassed marijuana use 1 in 5 teens has abused a prescription (Rx) pain medication 1 in 5 report abusing prescription stimulants and tranquilizers Many teens think these drugs are safe because they have legitimate uses, but taking them without a prescription to get high or “self-medicate” can be as dangerous – and addictive – as using street narcotics and other illicit drugs.