Loudoun County Public Schools Substance Abuse Prevention: What parents need to know LCPS Pupil Services School Social Worker Student Assistance Specialist
Why Do Teens Use? ▶ Initially—BOREDOM, curiosity, peer pressure Secondary—to cope with: Underlying stressors Underlying MH concerns blended families depression peer relationships anxiety academic concerns trauma
Perception of Risk in Alcohol and Drug Use When the perceived risk of harm is low, generally drug use increases. When the perceived risk of harm is high, generally drug use decreases .
Tobacco Increase in use of e-cigarettes has led to an increase in the number of teens who smoke. School Violation: 3 days in In-School-Restriction Tobacco Education Program Completed Examples: cigarettes, cigars, pipes, smokeless tobacco
Why is JUUL so popular ? JUUL DEVICE TRENDING ON EASY TO CONCEAL USES SALT NICOTINE SUPERIOR TO OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA (YOU VAPES (IT’S COOL) TUBE, SNAP CHAT, TWITTER) DELIVERS FLAVORED NOT BEING USED BY NICOTINE AEROSOL TEENS FOR SMOKING THAT IS INHALED CESSATION
Pictures of JUUL
It’s an Aerosol, Not a Vapor Image Credit: via thenounproject.com
Which Chemicals Are Found in E-Cig/Vape Pen Aerosol? • Propylene glycol • Chlorobenzene • Benzo(ghi)perylene • Cadmium • Glycerin • Crotonaldehyde • Acetone • Silicon • Flavorings (many) • Propionaldehyde • Acrolein • Lithium • Nicotine • Benzaldehyde • Silver • Lead • NNN • Valeric acid • Nickel • Magnesium • NNK • Hexanal • Tin • Manganese All of these have been • NAB • Fluorine • Sodium • Potassium • NAT found in e-cigarette/vape • Anthracene • Strontium • Titanium • Ethylbenzene • Pyrene • Barium • Zinc pen aerosol • Benzene • Acenaphthylene • Aluminum • Zirconium • Xylene • Acenapthene • Chromium • Calcium • Toluene • Fluoranthene • Boron • Iron • Acetaldehyde • Benz(a)anthracene • Copper • Sulfur • Formaldehyde • Chrysene • Selenium • Vanadium • Naphthalene • Retene • Arsenic • Cobalt • Styrene • Benzo(a)pyrene • Nitrosamines • Rubidium • Benzo(b)fluoranthen • Indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyr • Polycyclic aromatic e ene hydrocarbons Compounds in Red are from FDA 2012, Harmful and Potentially Harmful Substances – Established List
One JUUL pod is equivalent to how many cigarettes? A. One pack B. 5 C. 1
E-Juice/E-Liquid E-Liquid Ingredients Nicotine Propylene Glycol Vegetable Glycerin Flavoring Chemicals
ALCOHOL A central nervous system depressant, which is carried throughout the bloodstream Binge use Short-term Effects: continues: 90% Dizziness ▶ of teens drink to Slurred speech ▶ get drunk. Nausea/vomiting ▶ Impaired ▶ coordination/motor skills Alcohol content Impaired judgment is slowly ▶ Impaired memory increasing ▶ Possible blackouts ▶
Those who start drinking before the age of 15 are 7 times more likely to become dependent than those who do not use before the age of 15.
Marijuana What to look for: Negative Impacts: ▶ Inflammation of the whites brain of eyes lungs learning skills ▶ Pupils dilate but are back to memory motivation normal within an hour concentration ▶ Eye flutters and fine muscle coordination reaction tremors Increased vital signs time (particularly heart rate) ▶ Forgetfulness in conversation Marijuana can cause: ▶ Distorted perception Paranoia, Anxiety ▶ Drowsiness and fatigue (after initial high Mood Changes ▶ Lack of focus
MARIJUANA IS NOT A BENIGN SUBSTANCE Use makes brain more Marijuana today is four 17% of those who start using vulnerable to addiction to times more powerful than at a young age become other substances. what was used in the 70’s. addicted. Study followed individuals (age 13-38) who started Pot smokers have a 41% using in their teens and increased risk of developing found a decline of 8 IQ psychotic disorders. points. Cognitive abilities were not restored in those who quit smoking as adults.
New ways young people are using Marijuana E-cigarettes can be used to ▶ smoke marijuana in wax or oil form Vape pens: oil is most ▶ commonly used Butane honey oil. Very little ▶ odor. Wax/Dabbing/”Goo” (honey ▶ oil) Dabs can be 70% THC Shatter/amber: in sheet form ▶ and breaks into pieces. 90% THC Edibles/Candy: Gummies, ▶ tootsie rolls, mints
Prescription Drug Abuse 4 out of 5 parents report talking about ▶ the dangers of alcohol, marijuana, cocaine and other drugs but only 15% report discussing the dangers of prescription drugs. Abuse = Taking a prescription drug that ▶ was prescribed for someone else or taking the drug a manner or dosage other than what was prescribed for the purpose of getting high. Taking drugs without a prescription or ▶ sharing a prescription drug with another person is actually breaking the law.
Prescription Drugs Trends with Prescription Drugs: Bowling, Trailmix, Smurfing, Skittling. ➢ Hiding medications in unsuspecting places such ➢ as: Chapstick containers, chewy candies or tootsie rolls 13% of teens acknowledged having experimented at least once with either Ritalin or Adderall that was not prescribed for them (“study drugs”)
Types of Prescription Drugs Opiates are used to treat Short-term effects: nausea, impaired coordination & mental moderate-to-severe pain. function. Examples: Oxycontin, • Heroin use is on the increase Vicodin, Percocet due to it being cheaper. Sedatives are used to slow Short-term effects: slurred down/depress the body’s speech, poor judgment, slow function. Examples: reflexes. Valium, Xanax Examples: Ritalin, Adderall Stimulants are used to treat Short-term effects: increased ADD/ADHD. heart rate, rapid breathing
Types of Over-the-Counter Medication ▶ Cough medicine is the most commonly abused OTC medication. These products contain a common ingredient called “Dextromethorphan” or “DXM”. Examples: Coricidian (3C’s), Robitussin, Benadryl, Nyquil. Short-term effects: loss of muscle control, abdominal pains, loss of consciousness, slurred speech, blurred vision. Long-term effects: seizures, death “Lean, Sizzurp, Purple Drink, Spice” : a prescription-strength cough syrup containing Codeine and Promethazine mixed with Sprite soft drink or Mountain Dew and pieces of Jolly Rancher
Signs of Drug & Alcohol Use ▶ Bloodshot eyes ▶ Poor grades ▶ Smell of alcohol or pot ▶ Poor hygiene ▶ Skipping class and/or ▶ Isolation school ▶ Change of friends ▶ Loss of interests ▶ Mood swings ▶ Staying out late ▶ Conflict with parents ▶ Lying ▶ Legal problems ▶ Stealing ▶ Manipulating others
Remember: physical, emotional, and intellectual changes are normal in adolescent development When to be Concerned….. The key is CHANGE- in physical appearance, personality, friends, interests, attitudes, and behavior
When in Doubt-Go with Your GUT Trust your parental instincts ▶ Act quickly if you suspect trouble ▶ Early identification and prompt ▶ intervention is KEY to good outcome Ask for professional help: ▶ Objective/nonjudgmental (another ▶ pair of eyes) Help to visualize the situation and ▶ make suggestions Can enhance parent/child ▶ communication skills Serves to validate concerns and ▶ identify solutions
Parents can make a difference! Teens who learn about the risks of using drugs at home are half as likely to abuse drugs than those whose caregivers do not teach them about risks. 2/3 of youth, ages 13-17, say that upsetting their parents or losing the respect of family & friends is one of the main reasons they don’t smoke marijuana or use other drugs.
Tips for Parents Be a good listener. Set clear expectations about drug and alcohol use, including real consequences for not following family rules. Help your child deal with peer pressure to use drugs. Get to know your child’s friends and their parents. Monitor your child’s whereabouts. Supervise teen activities. Talk to your child often Awareness of Adolescent Life Transitions (8th grade to High School; High to Adulthood)
LCPS Alcohol 8-35 and drug 8-36 Violation Policies • 7 days out-of-school If caught under the influence or suspension in possession of alcohol or drugs in school or on school property • 3 day Insight class at (1 st offense) Douglass School
LCPS Alcohol and Drug Violation Policy • 10 day out-of-school suspension If second offense or • 10 days SAE at distribution Douglass school • 3 Day Insight class
Services Provided within the Schools School based groups The Insight Program Concerned Students ▶ Pre-Recovery ▶ ▶ 3 day early education and early intervention class . Recovery ▶ Young Men’s Group ▶ Young Women’s Group ▶ Drug & Alcohol Interviews & Evaluations through Loudoun Referrals County Mental Health Classroom Presentations PEER Program in the High Schools
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