Featured Articles

Authorities in Fox Valley (Aurora), Illinois, have seen a disturbing increase in heroin use in the area in the past year. Between January and April 2008, Aurora police took 7.12 grams of heroin off the streets. During the same time period this year, they have confiscated 37.21 grams - over five times as much. Heroin-related arrests have more than doubled, from 4 to 11, in the past year. Yorkville Lt. Rich Hart commented: "I can tell you from the police reports I see and the calls that come in, we are seeing more heroin overdoses." Kane County coroner Chuck West also weighed in on the issue: "We're seeing more heroin and more combinations of drugs."

Authorities are especially concerned not only because of the highly addictive nature of heroin but also because of the destructiveness of the drug, both for the user and the community. Lt. Hart explains, "It just wrecks lives. ... It's devastating and the effects are quick." Aurora Lt. Paul Nelson states, "Once you try it, you're an addict. ... It gets to the point where heroin is the most important thing in their life and they will do anything - turn to prostitution, rob, steal - to support their habit."

(Source: www.suburbanchicagonews.com)

Labels: heroin, illinois

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

The potency of marijuana has been on the rise for the past three decades and is now at an all-time high. Average potency, measured by the concentration of the psychoactive chemical THC, is currently around 10 percent. According to government data, the average THC content of marijuana has increased by more than 150 percent in the past 25 years, from less than 4 percent in 1983 to 10.1 percent in 2008.

According to Mahmoud ElSohly, director of the University of Mississippi's Potency Monitoring Project, of the thousands of marijuana samples that his labs test each year, many contain a THC content of over 30 percent. ElSohly predicts that average levels of THC concentration will continue to rise in the coming years before topping off at around 15 or 16 percent. Authorities are particularly worried about the increasing potency because high levels of THC have been shown to affect the brain much differently than lower levels. Users of higher potency marijuana are more likely to experience significant side effects such as dysphoria, paranoia, irritability, inability to concentrate, and insomnia.

(Sources: www.redorbit.com)

Labels: marijuana, pot, weed

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

Substance abuse counselors and some teens are warning Bloomington, Illinois, parents about an increase in teen drug and alcohol abuse during summer months. According to Alan Markwood, prevention projects coordinator for Chestnut Health Systems, "summer is a time of high initiation [into drugs and alcohol] ... teens have more time on their hands." Counselors warn parents that more leisure time may lead to more alcohol consumption, "pharm parties," and smoking marijuana for some teens. Lisa Fesnot, a local counselor, stated that warning signs of substance abuse vary with the substance, however universal signs include significant behavior changes, avoiding family activities, changes in friends, and breaking curfew.

(Source: www.pantagraph.com)

Labels: teen substance abuse, summer

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

According to a new study by researchers at the University of Georgia, a family-based prevention program designed to help youth avoid substance abuse was especially effective for youth with genetic predisposition to the behavior. Researchers spent two-and-a-half years monitoring the progress of 11-year-olds participating in a family-centered prevention program called Strong African American Families (SAAF). Some of the youth participating were known to have a fairly common genetic variation which has been linked to impulsivity, low self-control, binge-drinking, and substance abuse.

Researchers found that youth with this variation who participated in SAAF were no more likely than their counterparts to have engaged in high-risk activities such as drinking, marijuana smoking, and sexual activity. Youth with the variation who did not participate in SAAF were more than twice as likely to have engaged in these behaviors.

Lead author of the study, Gene H. Brody, Ph.D., Regents Professor and Director of the Center for Family Research at the University of Georgia, commented on the studys findings: "We found that the prevention program proved especially beneficial for children with a genetic risk factor tied to risky behaviors. ... The results emphasize the important role of parents, caregivers, and family-centered prevention programs in promoting healthy development during adolescence, especially when children have a biological makeup that may pose a challenge."

(Source: www.sciencedaily.com)

Labels: drug prevention, genetics, teen

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

The alcohol industry promotes the idea that visible drink labels encourage responsible drinking among young people. However, according to a new study by Australian researchers, young people in Australia use drink labels mainly to maximize the amount of alcohol they consume at the lowest price. The study examined young peoples perceptions of standard drink labeling and purposes for which they use the labels. Study co-author Professor Sandra Jones from the Centre for Health Initiatives, University of Wollongong, commented on the findings: "Participants generally agreed that they notice drink labels and take in account what to purchase and consume. While earlier research with adult beer and alcohol drinkers has shown that standard drink labeling enables them to drink safely and responsibly, this motivation is not evident in the consumption choices with young drinkers and might even be counter-productive."

(Sources: www.sciencedaily.com)

Labels: drinking

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

The Science Inside Alcohol Project of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is recommending that parents use science to help convince teens that a sober prom is better. Experts at the project recommend talking to teens about the physical effects of alcohol on the body, instead of just asking them not to drink. In addition, it's important to discuss with teens the significant ways that alcohol use can ruin prom night and/or endanger them, including: they may not remember the special night, they may do things they didn't want to do, they may get into fights, they may get really sick, they may feel horrible for the next couple of days. Shirley Malcom, head of Education and Human Resources at AAAS, comments: "A time of year that's supposed to be fun for parents and kids can turn ugly quickly. ... Alcohol-free means a lot less drama."

(Source: www.sciencedaily.com)

Labels: prom, sober

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

According to a survey conducted by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, five drugs stand out as the substances that teens are most likely to steal from their parents. These include stimulants (such as Ritalin), narcotic pain relievers, sedatives/tranquilizers, sleep aids, and cough medicines. In the survey, 61 percent of teens reported that prescription drugs were easier to obtain than illegal drugs, up from 56 percent in 2005. About 41 percent of teens reported the erroneous belief that abuse of prescription substances is less dangerous than abuse of illegal street drugs.

Experts recommend responsible disposing of medications when they are no longer needed. Many communities have began sponsoring prescription return programs. They encourage parents, "Talk to your children. Let them know that, just because they're prescribed by a doctor, (doesn't mean they couldn't be) deadly. We all know, as parents, you want to try to get ahead of this ball. So before it happens let them know."

(Source: www.cbsnews.com)

Labels: drugs, parents, stealing

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

Oklahoma state officials announced this week that tobacco sales to minors are on the rise, and the increase is putting millions of dollars in federal funding in jeopardy. If more than one-fifth of the state's tobacco retailers receive citations for selling tobacco to minors, approximately $7 million, or 40 percent, of federal substance abuse block grant funds could be revoked. According to recent ABLE statistics, 18.1 percent of tobacco retailers were found to have sold tobacco to minors, a dramatic increase from 8.5 percent two years ago.

Commissioner Terri White of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services commented: "Thousands of Oklahomans' lives are at risk and millions of dollars needed for treatment services are in jeopardy. ... That's the frustrating part. These 20 percent of retailers are putting critical services at risk. ... Already, we can't provide enough services for the estimated 250,000 Oklahomans who need drug or alcohol treatment services. In a tough economic climate, this will further the decline and cause undue hardship on individuals, their families and communities."

(Sources: www.Tulsaworld.com)

Labels: oaklahoma, tobacco

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

Police in Suffolk County, New York, recently began offering high school students cash rewards for information about drug dealers. Police are guaranteeing the anonymity of all students that provide information. Some parents are upset about the new program, calling it an inappropriate enticement of their children, and that the program may be putting the kids in harm's way. Parent like Nick Nardone, however, support the program. A month ago, Mr. Nardone lost his 17-year-old to a heroin overdose. He says, "This heroin epidemic has to be fought ... you can't be soft on the issue." Police are encouraging students to call or text police if they know of anyone who may be selling heroin, cocaine, marijuana, or prescription drugs. All calls are confidential and students can earn up to $500 if a tip leads to the arrest of a drug dealer.

(Source: www.newsday.com)

Labels: new york, students

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

A national study conducted over 12 years indicates that teen behaviors, including delinquency and substance use, may have a significant impact on marriage. The study, conducted by University of Buffalo sociologist Sampson Lee Blair, Ph.D., examines the long-term effects of teen delinquency and drug abuse on adult role attainment. The study found that delinquent teens were more likely to marry early and substance-abusing teens (especially girls who abuse marijuana) are more likely to marry later or not at all.

Dr. Blair comments, "Most previous studies have focused on the relatively short-term effects of adolescent substance use and delinquency ... but here we find good evidence that, for both sexes, delinquent behavior is linked to an increase in the likelihood of marriage and a lower age at first marriage. On the other hand, adolescents with relatively high levels of abuse of alcohol and marijuana have a lower likelihood of marriage even by their late 20s."

For the purposes of the study, delinquency was defined as antisocial behavior, including running away, arrests, physical fights, and school-related behavior problems.

(Source: www.sciencedaily.com)

Labels: teen risk taking, marriage

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

A new RAND corporation study indicates that school-based drug education programs for adolescents can have long-term positive influence with regard to substance abuse as well as sexual behaviors. Researchers found that teens who received drug abuse prevention programs were less likely to engage in risky sexual behavior, even five to seven years later. The study, which is published online in the Journal of Adolescent Health, provides strong evidence that drug abuse prevention programs can also decrease risky sexual behaviors among young people. Phyllis Ellickson, the lead author of the study and a researcher at RAND, a nonprofit research organization, commented: "The lessons these young people learned about how to avoid drug and alcohol abuse appears to have had a positive impact on their sexual behavior as well."

(Sources: www. Sciencedaily.com)

Labels: teen drug use, sex, education

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

A new study suggests that teenagers who have a strong relationship with their parents tend to start drinking at a later age, which decreases their risk of developing alcohol problems. The findings of the study are appearing in the May issue of the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs. Past research has shown that the age at which kids start drinking can significantly influence whether they develop problem drinking behaviors.

The study's lead author, Dr. Emmanuel Kuntsche of the Swiss Institute for the Prevention of Alcohol and Drug Problems in Lausanne, Switzerland, explains the significance of the new findings: "Our work shows that the 'preventive effect' of a later drinking age is likely to be a side effect of a good parent-child relationship. ... In other words, the circumstances in which that first drinks occurs -- and how parents deal with it -- is important."

(Source: www.sciencedaily.com)

Labels: teen drinking, parents

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

Michael and Meme are juniors at Vashon High School in Puget Sound, Washington. From their perspective, communication trumps attempted eradication as the key to preventing teen drug use.

"Virtually no community exists today without some kind of substance around, whether it is alcohol, prescription pills, or spray paint. Some grow in our soil, like psychedelic mushrooms, and it is literally impossible to get rid of them. So, as teenagers, we hope that the focus is on communication between two separate entities - teenagers and adults - instead of wasting time trying to eliminate drugs entirely."

Bridging the communication gap between teens and parents gives teens the information they need to make wise decisions. It also builds the type of relationship between parents and teens that gives parents genuine influence in their kids' lives. Source: Vashon Beachcomber

Labels: parental-involvement, communication, relationships

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

Karen Downs of Kansas City, Missouri, was arrested in March for providing vodka for several young teenagers at her daughter's birthday party. She reportedly offered $10 to whoever could drink a glass of vodka the fastest.

"Police responded to a complaint of a loud party at a home in northern Kansas City... One girl who was unconscious was taken to a hospital, where her blood content was later determined to be .218, more than twice the legal limit to operate a motor vehicle."

A second girl, who was believed to be suffering from alcohol poisoning, was also taken to the hospital. Police officers said they found between 60 and 70 empty beer bottles and several empty liquor bottles in the home's basement. They are hoping the incident will serve as a lesson to parents and teens alike about the dangers and consequences of underage drinking. Source: Associated Press

Labels: parents, liability, consent

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

Partnership for a Drug-Free America has announced its first-ever mobile public service campaign. It is joined by Ringleader Digital and marketing company Contagious.

"The campaign utilizes banner advertisements on targeted Web sites that drive to mobile ... sites where parents can sign up to access tips, tools, and advice from Partnership's Time to Talk program. Parents can also sign up to receive their first 'talk tip' via text message."

The websites and ads, which can be viewed on cell phones and personal digital assistants that have internet capability, give the Partnership an effective avenue through which to share its important message and information. Source: BusinessWire

Labels: prevention, awareness

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

State testing programs that try to catch teenagers using steroids appear to be losing steam. Results from tests in four states found that just 18 tests out of more than 30,000 (one half of one percent) came back positive.

"Testing advocates argue that results from the four states show the program works as a deterrent. Critics say they show the flaws in how the tests were conducted. Either way, it's becoming harder amid a recession to justify spending up to $200 each on tests that rarely catch cheaters."

The programs were a response to the doping scandals that have plagued professional athletes in recent years. However, even proponents of the testing programs acknowledge the existence of flaws, such as the absence of testing during the summer months. Source: WFMY News2 (NC)

Labels: testing, steriods

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

Parents and students from the Birmingham-Bloomfield, Michigan school district will gather together on Wednesday, March 25, to stuff and mail more than 4,000 letters. The letters are signed by local police chiefs and address the issues and consequences parents will face if they host underage drinking parties.

"The Birmingham Bloomfield Community Coalition is sponsoring the letter-writing campaign. This is the sixth year the coalition has participated with other Oakland County coalitions in sending this message to parents in their respective communities."

The letters will be addressed to parents of high school students that attend public and private schools in the district. They will also be mailed in police department envelopes, will remind parents of the legal ramifications for hosting underage parties, and will give parents tips for keeping their teens safe. Source: Birmingham (MI) Observer-Eccentric

Labels: parents, liability, party

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

Researchers from Dartmouth University found that liquor advertisements and products aimed at young people might be doing a good job of selling alcohol beverages to underage drinkers.

The study looked at 6,522 people ages 10 to 14, beginning in 2003, and then followed up on them every eight months. Many brought clothing with alcohol brands on them. About 64% owned T-shirts and 24% had hats with brand names. In 75% of the cases, the brand-name product was beer. Young people who owned such items were more likely to experiment with drinking.

This study appears in the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine.

Labels: alcohol, marketing, influences

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

Smoking During Pregnancy Linked to Behavioral Problems

A study from the National Institute of Drug Abuse found that if a mother smoked during her pregnancy, her child was more likely to have behavioral problems if the child also had a certain gene variant.

Researchers at the Institute for Juvenile Research at the University of Illinois studied 176 young people, average age 15, and their mothers. If the gene variant was present and if the mother smoked during pregnancy, the child was more likely to be aggressive and violate rules. Girls tended to score high in perceiving hostility in other people.

About 16% of women smoke during pregnancy.

"This research provides a foundation for studies of the impact of interactions on brain development during pregnancy," said Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute of Drug Abuse.

Labels: smoking, pregnancy

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

Twenty-three young people were arrested for forging prescriptions for painkillers in Staten Island, New York recently. The drug ring was responsible for putting 21,000 painkillers, most commonly Vicodin, OxyContin, and Xanax, in the hands of teenagers and young adults. Those arrested were in their early 20s.

Prescription drug abuse increased by 542% among teens ages 12 to 17 between 1992 and 2002. The majority get their drugs from family medicine cabinets.

Police in Staten Island said teens believe that prescription painkillers are not as dangerous as street drugs such as heroin. However, teens do not understand that they are just as addictive and that it is easy to overdose on them, especially when you combine them with alcohol, barbiturates, or benzodiazepines.

Labels: prescription-drug-abuse

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

Children whose parents live together but aren't married are more likely to engage in risky behaviors compared to children of married parents, according to a Canadian study.

Researchers at the Institute of Marriage and Family used data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth, checking on them at ages 6 to 11 and then again at ages 14 to 19. The ones who lived with unmarried parents were more likely to smoke, deal drugs, be sexually active, and have poor relationships with their parents. Almost half (49 percent) of the children ages 6 to 9 years old whose parents were unmarried lived with only one biological parent.

Married couples tended to be better educated, older, and more likely to be religious.

Labels: parents, behaviors, risks

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

The number of teens who sniff glue, spray paint, and other inhalants in order to "get high" has gone down in the past few years, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. However, the number of teens experimenting with inhalants is about one million, or 3.9 percent of all teens. About 100,000 are dependent on inhalants.

These statistics are for the year 2007, and represent a decline from the period 2002 to 2007.

Labels: inhalants

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

A drug for sleep disorders is being used off-label by healthy people who think it improves their job or school performance. However, a new study shows that this drug, Modafinil, may be more additive and harmful than previously thought.

Scientists gave ten men 400 milligrams of Modafinil and then used brain scanning techniques to study its effect. The drug raised the men's dopamine levels in the same way methylphenidate (Ritalin) does, indicating that Modafinil has a potential for addiction. Modafinil is currently classified as a Schedule IV drug with low potential for abuse.

This study appeared in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Labels: sleep drug

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

Teen Meth, Pot Abuse on the Decline

Teenagers are cutting back in their use of marijuana and methamphetamine, according to a study from the Partnership for a Drug-Free America. Methamphetamine use decreased by 25 percent since 2005, and is now used by three percent of teens. Marijuana use declined 24 percent since 1988.

The Partnership attributed the decline to more communication about drugs between parents and adolescents. The survey indicated that 37 percent of teens learn about drugs from their parents, and that group is 50 percent less likely to abuse drugs.

However, abuse of prescription and over-the-counter drugs such as cough syrups shows no decline. One in five teens or a projected 4.7 million said they tried these drugs at least once, and a projected 2.5 million used them in the past year.

"This risky behavior is still not in the parent's radar, many of whom don't realize that when abused or used without prescriptions, these medications are every bit as dangerous as illegal drugs," said Connie Berhost, an executive with a Missouri drug action center for teens.

Labels: drugs, meth, pot

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

Researchers from Boston Medical Center (BMC) have found that medical training lacks sufficient education on addiction, which is resulting in suboptimal medical care for individuals with addictive behaviors. The researchers found that a CRIT (Chief Resident Immersion Training program) in addiction is an effective way to disseminate needed information to medical staff. The chief resident takes information from this program and teaches it to residents through a "train-the-trainer" model.

Lead author of the study, Daniel P. Alford, MD, MPH, FACP, Associate Professor of Medicine at Boston University School of Medicine and director of Chief Resident Immersion Training in the Addiction Medicine Section of General Internal Medicine at BMC, commented: "Training chief residents who have a primary responsibility for educating medical trainees, appears to be one important pragmatic strategy to address the compelling need for better physician training in the identification and management of patients with addiction. ... This program effectively transferred evidence-based addiction knowledge and practice to 64 chief residents in generalist disciplines and more importantly, enhanced the addiction curriculum in 47 residency programs." (Sources: sciencedaily.com)

Labels: addiction, treatment, diagnosis

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

On December 16, 2007, 23-year-old Cyrus Moinzadeh overdosed on OxyContin and died. Moinzadeh was smart (spoke three languages) and well-liked, but spent time with a group of young people who frequently abused the drug. Of Cyrus' five closest friends from high school, three have died from drug overdoses. OxyContin, a chemical relative of heroin, is frequently prescribed as painkiller for back pain, cancer pain, bone fractures, and other severe injuries. Many teenagers obtain the drug over the Internet from unscrupulous companies in Canada and Mexico.

OxyContin is produced as a time-release tablet, so non-medical users will often smash up the pills to snort them or melt them to smoke (they will place the pills on foil and apply heat from underneath). Scott Henderson of the San Diego Police Department narcotics division advises parents to be aware of their teenagers' activities. Henderson recommends looking on teens' Facebook and MySpace pages, because that's commonly where they exchange information about getting drugs. Henderson also said to be on the lookout for the tinfoil used to smoke it since Oxy leaves black charred streaks. "If you're running out of tin foil and you don't make a lot of casseroles, I'm telling you right now something is amiss." (Source: www.delmartimes.com)

Labels: prescription-drug-abuse

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments