2. What We Are Community Education, Early Intervention, Treatment
Foundation to support the Renaissance Campus; established 25 years ago
Renaissance Campus- five to six month residential program
Renaissance House and Promise House
forty two beds for males ages 12-20
Stepping Stones
twenty beds for females ages 12-20

3. What Is Face 2 Face Proactive Educational Program
Students hear directly from their peers about the dangers and consequences of the decisions they made
Information is provided to parents and educators about current trends and concerns
Early Intervention Program

4. Early Intervention Program
One time meeting; lasts hours
Students are referred by educators or parents
Attendance by student, and at least one parent (or guardian) is required
The following takes place at an Early Intervention:
Students and parents have an opportunity to have confidential conversations with a counselor
Students and parents have an opportunity to speak with adolescents in recovery
Families are provided with information regarding current trends and concerns as well as various treatment options

5. The Stereotype of an Addict
Male Dirty Bad Crazy Hair Jeans Yellow or Missing Teeth Red Eyes

6. The average American teenager!
Reality….
The average American teenager!

7. Current Trends
Teens are still abusing alcohol & marijuana; they remain gateway drugs
90% of teens progress into some kind of Rx medication
Progression from pain pills into Heroin
Dabs/Wax and synthetic drugs are popular
More teens are facing legal consequences for their drug use
PINS program, drug court, etc.

8. Prescription Medications
Pain killers, anti depressants, anti anxiety, ADD/ADHD meds most commonly abused
Most teens crush and then snort them
Function while high; coming down and withdrawal more noticeable
Not as easy to get as they once were
Quick and high tolerance = rapid addiction
Difficult to support habit financially

9. Prescription Medications
Oxycontin
Hydrocodone & Lortab
Suboxone
Adderall & Ritalin
Xanax
Opana

10. Heroin Opiate derived from Morphine
Many teens progress into Heroin because it is more affordable and pills are harder to come by
Heroin overdoses have quadrupled since 2002 (CNN).
Apx. 120 Americans die each day from overdose (CDC).
256 Opiate related deaths in Erie County in 2015
102% increase from 2014
293 suspected or confirmed cases so far this year
anticipated for 2016, and 1,000 for 2017.
Most commonly snorted and then used intravenously

11. Heroin and Fentanyl Covered heavily by the media recently
Deadly Heroin/Fentanyl combo is readily available in WNY
Fentanyl is x’s more potent than Heroin (drugfree.org)
Added Fentanyl allows a user with a tolerance to Heroin to still achieve the high they are always chasing
Dangerous drugs become more desirable on the street

12. Synthetic Drugs & Dabbing
Synthetic drugs are legal, cheap and are chemicals combined to mimic illegal, more expensive drugs
Substances include Molly, Cloud 9, Bath Salts, and K2/Spice
Dabbing is the process of extracting THC oil from Marijuana and vaping it
Has no marijuana odor and no field test

13. What Can You Do? Hold children accountable and enforce consequences
Educate yourselves; use the resources the kids are using
Home drug testing
Marijuana (28 days)
Rx medications (2-3 days)
Safely dispose of Rx medications
Don’t hesitate to reach out for support
Vitally important to work with parents of kids who are using to encourage early intervention. The worst thing a parent can do is wait and hope experimentation is a phase their child will grow out of.
If teachers or counselors are not sure what to do, they should reach out to their administration, or consider contacting the parent with their concerns.
Call KED and we will help you, even if you cant tell us specifics about the student you are concerned for

14. Jessica Hutchings, LMSW
CONTACT US
Jessica Hutchings, LMSW
Phone:
x315
Website:

15. QUESTIONS…. ?