Teen Drug Help
High Rates of Teen Drinking in Washington State, Surveys Say
According to the national Monitoring the Future Survey, 11 percent of high school seniors reported "extreme binge drinking" within the two weeks prior to the survey. Extreme binge drinking is defined as consuming 10 or more alcoholic beverages in a single sitting. Approximately 6 percent reported consuming more than 15 drinks in a row in the two weeks prior to the survey.
The Washington State Healthy Youth Survey reported similar findings. The 2008 state survey found that almost 18 percent of 10th graders are binge drinkers, which is a higher percentage than those that are cigarette smokers (14 percent). Among Washington State 8th graders, 41 percent who drink reported getting alcohol from home and 24 percent reported that their parents have not talked to them about alcohol and its risks.
David Dickinson, director of the Department of Social and Health Services Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR), commented: "Underage drinking, especially binge drinking, is extremely risky, with alcohol poisoning being a potentially fatal outcome. Alcohol causes great harm to the developing teen brain. Teens who drink are more likely to become pregnant, fail in school, and develop alcohol dependence.
"Parents who give kids the facts about alcohol, set healthy examples, and never give alcohol to someone under 21, have the most influence in preventing underage drinking."
(Source: www.dhs.wa.gov)
Labels: alcohol, binge drinking, underage-drinking
2009 Monitoring the Future Survey Shows that Drug Abuse Continues to Be a Pervasive Problem
The 2009 Monitoring the Future Survey -- the largest annual national survey that tracks drug abuse among 8th, 10th and 12th graders -- indicates that teen abuse of prescription (Rx) and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines continues to be a widespread problem. The survey shows that an alarming number of youth who abuse prescription drugs obtain them from friends and relatives.
According to the survey, 33 percent of 12th graders who reported abusing a prescription narcotic within the last year received the drug from a friend or relative; 21 percent bought the drug from a friend or relative; 19 percent abused a medication prescribed to them by a physician; 12 percent took the substance from a friend or relative; and 8 percent bought the drug from a dealer or someone they didn't know. Among the same group of teenagers, the study found that prescription and over-the-counter medicines account for 8 of the 13 most frequently abused substances.
Steve Pasierb, president of the Partnership for a Drug Free America, commented on the findings: "The Monitoring the Future study confirms that teen abuse of Rx and OTC medications continues to be a pervasive problem that unfortunately has become a far too normal part of many teens' lives. Teens are not only getting these medications from their own homes, but even more troubling, they are also getting them from friends and relatives.
"It is important for parents to educate themselves about the medications kids are abusing and communicate with their kids to dispel the notion that medicines can be safely abused. It is also crucial that parents safeguard medications at home, limit access, keep track of quantities and make certain that friends and relatives do the same."
(Source: www.news-medical.net)
Labels: prescription-drug-abuse, teen drug abuse
Panelist Warns about the Dangers of Methamphetamines, Including "Holiday Meth"
A substance abuse forum held this week in Benicia, Calif., by local school and police officials included strong warnings from a local psychiatric social worker about the dangers of methamphetamines.
The social worker, Jeremy Taubman, warned that methamphetamines can traumatically affect the life of the user. He even described "Christmas tree" or "holiday" meth -- a green version of the drug that is made using clog-remover Drano crystals (meth is typically white or yellowish in color).
Methamphetamines are a type of stimulant. Stimulants are a class of drugs that stimulates the body's central nervous system, causing euphoria and then a devastating crash which pushes users to constantly seek out more drugs. Meth can be injected, snorted, smoked or consumed orally. It can be "cooked" in a home kitchen using ingredients that are easily obtained at supermarkets; however, the process often results in explosions and toxic fumes and waste.
(Source: www.timesheraldonline.com )
Labels: meth, substance use
Teen Pot Smokers Prone to Depression, Anxiety, Study Finds
Teenagers who smoke pot on a daily basis may be more susceptible to depression and anxiety in adulthood because of damage inflicted on their developing brains. This finding comes from a new study conducted by McGill University in Canada.
Scientists at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre utilized adolescent and adult lab rats to conduct the study. The researchers found that after 20 days of exposure to cannabinoids (the active ingredient in marijuana), only the adolescent rats were negatively affected.
The adolescent rats exhibited a decrease in brain serotonin levels. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is known to be involved in emotional perception and that has been linked to depression. In addition, the adolescent rats showed increased levels of norepinephrine, which plays a key role in the fight-or-flight response. Increased levels of this chemical could contribute to heightened anxiety.
Gabriella Gobbi, one of the study's co-authors, commented on the findings: "Just because marijuana is a plant doesn't mean that it is harmless. Our study demonstrated that the cannabinoid, when consumed daily, can induce a permanent change in the brain."
(Source: www.canada.com)
Labels: anxiety, depression, marijuana, pot
Recreational Drug Use Linked to Impulsive Behavior
A new study by Spanish researchers indicates that the use of addictive substances by young university students is related to the manifestation of cognitive and psychomotor impulsiveness.
According to data produced by the study, individuals who regularly consume alcohol and marijuana are more impulsive than non-users. However, researchers were not able to detect a difference between drinkers and marijuana users, suggesting that all substance use is equally related to impulsivity.
The study included 575 students -- 50.7 percent men and 49.3 percent women. Participants were assigned to one of three groups depending on their substance use habits. Researchers found that men are more likely to be regular consumers of both substances than women, and men consume higher amounts of both substances than women.
The researchers commented on the still-unclear role of impulsivity in the behaviors that were observed: "[I]t is undeniable that university students regularly consume addictive substances. On the other hand, it seems clear that there is a relationship between drug use and impulsive behaviour although we still have to clarify whether this attitude is a cause or a result of drug use."
(Source: www.sciencedaily.com)
Labels: substance use
Alcohol Abuse a Major Concern for a Connecticut University
Fairfield University of Fairfield, Conn., has a problem with alcohol. Between 2007 and 2008, the University experienced a 70 percent increase in cases of alcohol disciplinary action. According to the Princeton Review, Fairfield University ranks third in the nation for usage of hard alcohol on campus.
One student commented, "The alcohol is more accessible than drugs, and that makes it more dangerous because people will indulge more into it."
According to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University, Fairfield University is leading a nationwide trend. CASA also states that "the abuse of prescription drugs and marijuana has increased dramatically since the mid-1990s."
Students say that drinking is the most common form of substance use because it is perceived to be safer than drugs and the consequences associated with getting caught are much less severe for alcohol than for other substances.
Student Ryan King echoes the misguided perception of many college students: "I think [students] drink more because of the perception that it's safer, and because it's legal. It doesn't mean that alcohol is safe, but it's safer than taking drugs."
Unfortunately, alcohol poisoning and alcohol-related injuries and fatalities are continuing realities on many college campuses, fueled by the idea that "alcohol is safer than drugs." Experts estimate that over 1,700 college students die each year from alcohol-related accidents and injuries, and each year approximately 599,000 college students are unintentionally injured while under the influence of alcohol.
(Sources: www.fairfieldmirror.com, www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov)
Labels: alcohol, college-drinking, prescription-drug-abuse
Florida Survey Highlights Need for Increased Anti-Drug Efforts
Although the results of Florida's 2009 Youth Substance Abuse Survey were largely positive, binge drinking, marijuana use and prescription drug use remain areas of concern. Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp announced this week that the survey showed long-term reductions in drug use among middle and high school students and attributes the reductions to the success of prevention efforts.
Kottkamp reinforced the importance of the survey as a tool to track a serious threat: "Drug use threatens the health and safety of our children and their families. Children are Florida's most vulnerable residents and protecting them from the dangers of substance abuse remains a high priority. The survey is a critical tool in the effort to prevent drug use."
Alcohol use has declined steadily since 2000, but the rate of alcohol use among Florida's students continues to exceed national figures.
Bruce Grant, Director of the Florida Office of Drug Control, commented: "The results of the survey show the success of our prevention efforts over time. Yet, we still have our work cut out for us to reduce youth use of inhalants, marijuana and prescription drugs. Overall, underage drinking remains the most significant challenge we face."
(Source: www.thegovmonitor.com)
Labels: binge drinking, drug-use, marijuana, prescription drugs
Mephedrone: A Highly Dangerous, Legal Drug
Mephedrone, also known as “meow meow,” is legally sold on the Internet as plant fertilizer and is a highly dangerous hallucinogen.
Authorities warn that the drug, which is a chemical relative of Ecstasy, can result in severe hallucinations, nose bleeds, nose burns, blood circulation problems, rashes, anxiety and paranoia, seizures, and heart attack. Users have been known to severely mutilate themselves due to intense hallucinations, such as bugs crawling all over them.
One British police report stated: "A large number of contributors state how addictive mephedrone is and they are constantly popping up as one individual states that after using it for 18 hours his hallucinations led him to believe that centipedes were crawling over him and biting him.” This individual then mutilated his body to the point that he required emergency hospital treatment.
Authorities also warn that the drug can become addictive, and when cut with alcohol or other drugs is likely to result in death. The substance is now banned in Sweden, Israel, Norway and Finland.
(Source: www.thesun.co.uk)
Labels: drug-use, hallucinogen, mephedrone
California Community Fights Teen Prescription Drug Abuse
Glendora, Calif., has seen a disturbing trend in the last couple of years: a drastic increase in the incidence of teen prescription drug abuse. According to data from the local school district, in 2006, 46 students were suspended for prescription drug use. The next year, the number rose to 54, then to 55 in 2008.
Last Christmas, a 15-year-old Glendora teen died from an overdose of prescription drugs that he got at a friend's house. In September, another high school student who was allegedly addicted to the prescription anti-anxiety drug Xanax shot himself. And last month, a Glendora teen was found running through traffic on a main boulevard after ingesting 40 OxyContin pills, Xanax and alcohol.
In response to the surge in teen prescription drug use, local law enforcement and school officials are collaborating to get the word out to unsuspecting parents and other adults: The stereotypical drug dealer is no longer the norm. More and more teens are buying drugs from their middle-class peers or obtaining them from the medicine cabinets of family, friends and acquaintances.
On Nov. 2, 2009, the police and school district held a drug forum at a local gymnasium to discuss local teen abuse of prescription drugs.
(Source: www.pasadenastarnews.com)
Labels: addiction, drug-abuse, prescription-drug-abuse
Wisconsin School District's New Prevention Effort Directed at Parents
The Kimberly Area School District in Wisconsin is launching a new teen drug use prevention effort aimed at reaching parents. Operation Recommit will consist of a series of films and workshops starting this month and running through the end of the school year. The program is designed to combat teen drug use by building community knowledge of and support for the district's efforts to keep teens away from drugs and alcohol.
Kathy Verstegen, a nurse at Kimberly High School, believes that parental support and knowledge is vital to helping students make healthy decisions regarding the use of alcohol or drugs. She believes that some parents lose sight of how much they're needed as their children grow.
"Anyone can change a diaper," she said. "It really takes a dedicated parent to sit down and talk about these really big issues with their kids."
(Source: www.postcrescent.com)
Labels: alcohol, drug prevention, teen drug use
High Rates of Drug Use, Suicide, Sexual Activity Among Nevada Teens
Teens in the Reno, Nev., area report high levels of suicide, sexual activity and drug use, according to a recent youth risk behavior survey conducted by Washoe County School District officials. The district released the results of the survey this week and called for immediate action by the entire community.
According to the study, the number of students considering suicide is on the rise (from 8.6 percent in 2001 to 14.6 percent in 2009); more than half of the district's students have had sex; and almost one-quarter of students reported coming to class high.
District Board of Trustees President Barbara Clark said at a morning news conference: "Many of our children come to school each day facing challenges to be ready and willing to learn. We want to make sure our parents and community know what our children are facing so we can work on these issues together."
The survey was based on questions created by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and involved a sampling of 1,844 middle school students and 1,727 high school students.
(Source: www.rgj.com)
Labels: drug-use, sex, suicide
Oregon Police Hope to Curb Drinking Among Middle School Students
Police in Ashland, Ore., are hoping to curb drinking among middle school students by giving presentations to area students on the consequences of alcohol abuse.
Lt. Corey Falls, a local police official, commented on the effort: "I think our No. 1 concern is the binge drinking. The earlier that kids start drinking, the worse that it becomes."
Falls reports that binge drinking is the most common problem that area police officers encounter when dealing with teens and alcohol. Binge drinking is also associated with alcohol poisoning and sexual assaults among teens in Ashland, according to Falls.
"Those are some of the extremes that we see from binge drinking," he said.
In 2007, Ashland police issued 244 citations to minors for being in possession of alcohol; 87 of these citations were given to teens under the age of 18. At the end of October, this year, police had issued 154 citations to minors, 30 of these to juveniles.
(Source: www.dailytidings.com)
Labels: alcohol, binge drinking, drinking
