Act 171: Drug Information and Current Trends Dr. Barzanna White, S.S.P., Ph.D. District School Psychologist, Prevention Coordinator, and SCTG and BJA Grant Director
◦ Mental health issues such as suicide, depression, anxiety are increasing. ◦ Domestic violence has increased. With COVID- ◦ Child abuse cases have risen. 19… ◦ Stress has caused fear, anxiety, and social isolation. ◦ Individuals with alcohol and substance use disorders are more vulnerable…cravings, consumption, and risk of relapse are high (NIAAA, 2020).
DABBING AND VAPING: TWO TEEN TRENDS THAT ARE INCREASING
Dabbing ◦ Dabbing is a method of inhaling highly concentrated THC (commonly referred to as hash oil, wax, or shatter) by using a blowtorch heated delivery system commonly referred to as a dab ring (Parents Opposed to Pot, 2020). ◦ THC is the main high inducing chemical in marijuana. ◦ Just six years after marijuana was legalized in Colorado, teens report an alarming increase in use of ultra-potent pot products. More than half of them who use marijuana now dab to get high. ◦ And there was a 69% increase in students vaping marijuana. ◦ Will other states see this same trend as they push to legalize marijuana?
Marijuana Dabbing ◦ Marijuana dabbing refers to the process of inhaling marijuana concentrates, known on the street by many names such as dabs, butane hash oil (BHO), honey oil, shatter, wax, and budder. These concentrates are created by extracting marijuana’s psychoactive ingredient tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) by a method of butane extraction. ◦ The end product is a thick brownish-green substance, resembling ear wax, or honey — hence the street names. Marijuana dabbing or ‘blasting dabs’ is when the concentrate is placed on a heated device such as a nail or modified water pipe and the vapors released are inhaled. The result is a high dose of THC with instantaneous effects. ◦ The process of dabbing is a relatively new form of marijuana use that has gained popularity over the past five years. Marijuana concentrates such as dabs and shatter are not chemically modified versions of marijuana that create a completely new and different drug, such as with poppy to heroin or coca to cocaine. Users are essentially still taking marijuana but at higher doses. ◦ Dab tabs are measured portions of cannabis (50mg of THC or CBC or both). The honeycomb dab tab can be heated and dabbed without having to remove the extract.
What Might You See….
Signs Someone May Be Dabbing ◦ Increased use of perfumes/colognes to hide the smell. ◦ Paraphernalia: vape pens, glass water pipes, dab rings, nails (hollow metal rod where the nail is heated and the dab is placed on the hot surface). ◦ Use of gum, mints, and eye drops. ◦ Changes in behavior consistent with marijuana use but intensified throughout the entire day (unusual talkativeness, sleepiness, bloodshot eyes, disorientation). ◦ Increased positive attitude about marijuana use and interest in marijuana )movies, characters, clothing).
Have You Seen Any of These Items at School?
Vaping ◦ Prior to COVID-19, teen vaping and related lung issues were growing at an alarming rate. This has intensified since the pandemic. ◦ The U.S. Surgeon General officially declared e-cigarettes an epidemic with young Americans. ◦ Originally, vaping was a way to get a buzz from the nicotine and was a method of hiding usage in neatly contained devices (JUULs/devices or Puff Bar and Zyn/disposable nicotine pouches). ◦ 1 in 5 high school seniors vape (2018) and these numbers are rising each year. ◦ Nicotine, alcohol, and marijuana are gateway drugs and increase the likelihood of using other substances later in life. Using substances is an ineffective coping mechanisms, it increases trouble with law enforcement (poor decision making, driving under the influence), and it limits effective problem-soling (poor choices, suicide), etc.
JUUL
Puff Bar ◦ Designed in Los Angeles by two 20-year-olds. ◦ Flavor mixing labs are in Malaysia; production occurs in China.
Zyn and Other Disposable Pouches
Marijuana ◦ Intake: Smoked in a cigarette or in a pipe or bong, smoked in blunts, mixed with food (edibles), brewed as tea ◦ Slang: Aunt Mary, BC Bud, Chronic, Dope, Gangster, Ganja, Grass, Hash, Herb, Joint, Mary Jane, Mota, Pot, Reefer, Sinsemilla, Skunk, Smoke, Weed, Yerba ◦ Effects: Impaired judgment, reduced coordination, hallucinations, difficulty thinking and problem-solving, effects memory and learning, causes relaxation, disinhibition, increased appetite, sedation, increased sociability, confusion, distorted perception, anxiety, drowsiness, dizziness, nauseas, tachycardia, respiratory problems
In the News ◦ Binghampton , NY mayor introduces new “social host” law to reduce underage drinking. The law will help those who host and serve substances to minors accountable. ◦ Coke bought the Topo Chico seltzer brand and will be adding alcohol to it. It will be available in Latin America in select cities. ◦ A Lynnwood, Washington couple was arrested for having $19 million dollars worth of fentanyl in their home. ◦ Drug-driving could soon exceed drunk driving! ◦ Baton Rouge, LA – Approximately $4000 of fentanyl laced praline candy was seized along with other items in a drug arrest.
Drugs From A to Z
Amphetamines ◦ Prescription stimulant used to treat ADHD (Concerta, Adderall, Dexedrine, Focalin, Metadate, Ritalin). ◦ Often used as a study aid to keep people awake or used to suppress appetites. ◦ Intake: Used orally or injected. Ice or crystalized methamphetamine hydrochloride is smoked. ◦ Slang: Bennies, Bumble Bees, Black Beauties, Dexedrine, Footballs, Hearts, Speed, Uppers, Vitamin R ◦ Effects: Similar to cocaine, but slower onset and longer duration. Causes increased body temperature, blood pressure, irritability, aggression, insomnia, loss of appetite, physical exhaustion. Chronic abuse can lead to psychosis, paranoia, hallucinations, violent and erratic behavior.
Barbiturates (Depressants) ◦ Intake: Pill or injecting a liquid. ◦ Slang: Barbs, Block Busters, Christmas Trees, Goof Balls, Pinks, Red Devils, Reds and Blues, Yellow Jackets ◦ Effects: Paranoia, suicidal thoughts, lack of inhibition, sleepiness, impaired memory, impaired judgment and coordination, irritability, clammy skin, dilated pupils, weak and rapid pulse, and coma.
Bath Salts: MDPV, 4MMC (Synthetic Stimulants) ◦ Intake: Orally, smoked, snorted, or injected ◦ Slang: Cloud 9, Bliss, Energy 1, White Rush, Purple, Wave ◦ Effects: Aggression, Confusion, Hallucination, Paranoia, Alters Mood, Dilation of Pupils, Sweating, Seizures, and Suicidal Thoughts ◦ Human-made stimulants related to cathinone, found in the khat plant.
Benzodiazepines (Depressants) ◦ Intake: Orally or crushed and snorted ◦ Slang: Benzos, Downers, Nerve Pills, Tranks ◦ Effects: Calming, euphoria, vivid, disturbing dreams, amnesia, irritability, hostility, clammy skin, shallow reparation, dilated pupils, weak and rapid pulse, and coma.
Cocaine ◦ Intake: Orally swallowed, smoked, snorted, or injected ◦ Slang: Coke, Flake, Coca, Nose Candy, Snow, Soda Cot, White, Blanco, Big C, Blow ◦ Effects: Anxiety, insomnia, hallucinations, paranoia, heart attack, seizures, and possible infected diseases if injected.
Crack (Stimulant) ◦ Intake: Heated in a pipe then smoked ◦ Slang: Freebase, Apple Jacks, Rocks, Pebbles, Nuggets, Half Track, Baseball, Roxanne ◦ Effects: Anxiety, insomnia, hallucinations, paranoia, heart attack, seizures, and possible infected diseases if injected
DXM Dextromethorphan (Cough Suppressant) ◦ Intake: Orally swallowed ◦ Slang: CCC, DXM, Dex, Red Devils, Robo, Skittles, Triple C, Tussin, Velvet ◦ Effects: Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, confusion, hallucinations, high blood pressure, numbness of fingers and toes, and irregular heartbeat
Ecstasy or MDMA aka Molly ◦ Intake: Orally swallowed ◦ Slang: Candy, Clarity, Beans, Adam, E. X, XTC, Happy Pill, Molly, Skittles, Smarties, Vitamin E, Vitamin X, Hug Drug, Vowels ◦ Effects: Reduced appetite, paranoia, blurred vision, hallucinations, tremors, muscle tension, extreme thirst, fainting, and increased heart rate.
Fentanyl (Synthetic Opioid) ◦ One hundred times stronger than morphine; developed for pain management with cancer patients ◦ Intake: Needle ◦ Slang: Apace, China Girl, China Town, China White, Dance Fever, Goodfellows, Great Bear, He-Man, Poison, and Tango and Cash ◦ Effects: Intense, short-term high, euphoria, slowed respiration, reduced blood pressure, nausea, fainting, seizures, death
Flakka (alpha-PVP) ◦ Similar to the street drug commonly referred to as bath salts. ◦ Intake: eaten, snorted, injected, or vaporized in e-cigarettes ◦ Slang: Gravel ◦ Effects: Hallucinations, paranoia, violent aggression, self-injury, overdose, death
GHB - Gamma-Hydoxybutyric Acid ◦ Intake: Often added to drinks in liquid or power form, swallowed or taken orally ◦ Slang: Date Rape Drug, G, Georgia Home Boy, grievous Bodily Harm, Liquid Ecstasy, Sleep 500, or Scoop ◦ Effects: Tremors, impaired motor skills, difficulty breathing, seizures, respiratory depression, comas, nausea, and death
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