TEENAGERS: DRINKING AND DRUGS

A 15 year old’s brain image: Not a drinker A 15 year old’s brain image: a drinker

It’s about Risks and Consequences

Association of age of initiation of alcohol use and lifetime dependence (meeting Diagnostic and Statistical AGE STARTED DRINKING &, BECOMING DEPENDENTependence at some point in one's life). Masten A S et al. Pediatrics 2008;121:S235-S251 ©2008 by American Academy of Pediatrics

Alcohol Dependence:  is an official Medical Diagnosis in the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

 Simply:  “I need to drink more than other times to feel the way I want”  “I don’t want to drink again” and then I do! Or I’ll only have one or two, and then I got drunk…  “If I don’t have something to drink, I feel lousy”  “So what if I don’t want to play my sport anymore, or got suspended, or got fired from my job”  “So what if I only hang out with kids who also like to drink,  and my old friends who don’t drink - who cares”

“4. Why Teens Use”  Many factors and situations affect teen’s choice whether or not to use  Fitting In  Sex  Socializing  Emotional Pain  Transitions

Being drunk may be your excuse… But it doesn’t change what happened!!

IF YOU WEREN’T DRINKING:  WOULD YOU?  Get in the car with someone who has used alcohol or other drugs?  Kiss someone you didn’t think you would?  Take off some clothing?  Do things with others you usually would say “no” to? [throw stuff, fight, cheer for others to do stupid things, lie to PARENTS, tell secrets you swore you wouldn’t, etc.]

death…

“EVERYBODY’S DOING IT! WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL?” REALLY? EVERYBODY? NOT! 25%? -- 40%? 60%? So that means: how many aren’t drinking? “Everybody who was there to get me into some fun, … they weren’t there to get me out of trouble!” Dewan, William Paterson University

The Night looks pretty good, all on its own!

Followup from Rebecca and Brittany Who spoke about their concerns Because they have lost friends who have died from: Heroin Alcohol Prescription pills You can them about anything:

Friends Don’t Let Friends Die or become Brain Damaged!! IF YOUR FRIEND NEEDS HELP NOW BECAUSE THEY HAVE HAD TOO MUCH TO DRINK: call 911 : Lifeline Law: and you, the caller, will not be charged with underage drinking if you had been TURN THEM ON THEIR SIDE : So the VOMIT WILL NOT CHOKE OR DROWN THEM GET AN ADULT/PARENT

The Board of Education:  Abuse of harmful substances seriously impedes that pupil’s education and threatens the welfare of the school community  Prohibits: the use, possession, being under the influence of and/or distribution of any alcohol or other drug, and possession, use, etc. of paraphernalia:

The Board of Education (cont.):  On school premises, at any event that is Board sponsored,  On any Board-provided transportation  And while going to and from school/activities  Abuse: the use of mood-altering and/or performance enhancing substances for other than medical purposes as directed by a physician

ARREST: Principal informed

Categories for Drug Testing [13 drugs tested including a 3 day alcohol detection test] Suspicion Random Monitoring

Possible Consequences:  Suspension from School  Report to Police  Suspended from Sport or Club participation  Out-of-School Substance Abuse Counseling Evaluation

addiction begins in the medicine cabinet Prescription painkiller overdose now kills more people in the U.S. than heroin and cocaine combined. Two in five teenagers mistakenly believe prescription drugs are “much safer” than illegal drugs. Sources: SAMHSA, CDC, DEA

Video Links: [for Dana & Megan’s stories] [alcohol on your brain! Breaking bottles/heads] [The Starting Line Piano song: Hold on]

Girl from Mahwah See For the video of scrolling text…

Many Thanks to: For use of many of these slides of their posters… AWARE ASAP: the Alliance of Ringwood and Wanaque for Education and Awareness for Substance Abuse Prevention Has purchased many of FACE project’s posters, bookmarks and educational materials.