Teen Drug Help
Mystery Drug Contributes to Teen Death at Party
A 16-year-old boy collapsed, vomited, and choked to death at an unsupervised party in Orinda, California, recently after drinking a small amount of alcohol and taking an unusual prescription medication. The medication - papaverine - causes blood vessels to expand, allowing increased blood flow. The drug is generally prescribed to treat urinary tract spasms and erectile dysfunction.
Authorities reported that Joseph Loudon had a "high level" of papaverine in his system, but that the drug was not prescribed for him and it is not known where he got it. Police Chief Bill French said this was the first time his department had come across this drug, and that he was unaware of any recreational use in the area. Tragically, other teens at the party delayed getting medical help for Loudon because they feared getting in trouble. Chief French commented: "He needed immediate medical care. ... There was a delay, and it resulted in his death."
(Source: www.sfgate.com)
Labels: drugs, teed drug use
Dads Need to Talk to Kids about Drugs and Alcohol
According to a new national survey, a significant percentage of dads would rather leave drug education to moms and schools. The survey, conducted by the non-profit Partnership for a Drug-Free America and the MetLife Foundation, found that 34 percent of fathers felt that drug education should take place in schools, compared to 10 percent of mothers.
Shelly Mowry, director of programs and communication for the Arizona affiliate of the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, commented on the findings: "Moms really do take the lead when it comes to talking to kids about drugs. ... Parents need to have a united front in this effort. I think a lot of times dads just kind of think, 'She's going to take care of it.' Sometimes they're afraid of the delicate subjects like sex and drugs."
The study, which included responses from 1,004 parents of children in fourth grade through high school, identified one reason that dads may prefer to let mom or the school talk to kids about drugs: dads participating in the study placed a higher value on being friends with their children than did mothers (59 percent of dads versus 51 percent of mothers). In addition, 18 percent of fathers reported difficulty enforcing rules about substance use, compared with only 10 percent of mothers.
Ms. Mowry's advice to parents: "Be the parent, not the pal. ... Especially in those preteen years - 11, 12, 13 - kids need clear and consistent boundaries."
(Source: www.azcentral.com)
Labels: alcohol, communication, dads, drugs, fathers, talking
Five Drugs Teens Most Likely to Steal from Parents
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
Teen Meth, Pot Abuse on the Decline
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
Pre-Teen Drug Arrests in Indianapolis
This week, two preteens were arrested at an Indianapolis elementary school. The 10-year-old and 11-year-old were arrested for dealing drugs to fellow students at their school. Local law enforcement authorities called the arrests unusual, despite the fact that the average age of drug dealers in the area has been getting younger and younger. Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Sergeant Matthew Mount commented: "Those that are involved in selling drugs want to get kids involved in drug use as soon as they can. ... Hopefully you can get to kids at an early enough age that you can have a positive influence on them."
(Source: www.wibc.com)
Labels: drugs, indianapolis, pre-teen
Maryland Teens Turn to Cheaper Drugs
A recent study conducted in Frederick County, Maryland, shows that teens are less likely to use cigarettes, marijuana, cocaine, and heroin than they were three years ago. However, use of easily accessible drugs has increased. Alcohol remains the preferred intoxicant. Experts believe this is due, in part, to easy accessibility.
Brett Stark, Frederick County schools curriculum specialist for health and physical education, who coordinates drug prevention programs, commented, "Alcohol has appeared to be of the highest abuse for our students. ... It fits among the categories of drugs that are easily accessible."
In addition, a greater number of teens are using prescription drugs, which are also easily accessible. Seniors reported using barbiturates, narcotics, and Ritalin more than in 2004. Todd Crum, a prevention supervisor with the Frederick County Health Department, commented about this trend, "An increase in any substance is of concern ... due to their availability, prescription use is a concern. And when used in combination with other substances, the cause for concern becomes even greater. ... Not following the instructions on the label or using a medication not prescribed to the user can result in significant health concerns." (Sources: www.gazette.net)
Labels: availability, drugs, teens
Teen Turns in Stepfather for Drugs
A 13-year-old girl in Lorain, Ohio turned her stepfather in to authorities after discovering that he was growing marijuana in her bedroom closet. The girl met police outside the house when they arrived and explained what she had seen. After searching the house and speaking to the stepfather, police recovered the four-foot-tall plan as well as eight more three-foot-tall plants and arrested the stepfather. The stepfather, who later admitted to selling the drug, was charged with trafficking in drugs, illegal cultivation of marijuana, and drug paraphernalia possession.
(Sources: www.msnbc.msn.com)
Labels: drugs, teen
Many Washington State Students Regularly Use Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drugs
According to the Healthy Youth Survey, a survey taken every two years by students in Washington State, many youth are still regularly using alcohol, tobacco, and drugs. Approximately 20 percent of 10th graders reported having five or more drinks in a row (binge drinking) at least once in the past two weeks, and about 10 percent of 10th and 12th grade students reported using a prescription painkiller to get high.
Another interesting finding of the study included the fact that 41 percent of 8th graders who drink reported getting alcohol from home, and 24 percent said that their parents have not talked to them about alcohol and associated risks.
Approximately 210,000 students participated in this year's survey. Washington State Secretary of Health Mary Selecky commented on the findings, "This survey is a snapshot of what's going on with youth in our state. ... We're working hard to help kids make the right choices for their health. When they develop healthy habits early in life it provides an excellent foundation as they become adults."
Labels: alcohol, drugs, tobacco
White House Drug Czar Calls Drug Policy a Success - Is He Right?
The Wall Street Journal published a piece this week written by John Walters, the director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. In his essay, Mr. Walters proclaims success for U.S. drug policy, saying:
"Whatever challenges await him, President-elect Barack Obama will not have to reinvent the wheel when it comes to keeping a lid on the use of illegal drugs. Our policy has been a success - although that success is one of Washington's best kept secrets."
Mr. Walters cited statistics that show drug use declining among eighth, tenth, and twelfth graders for the past six years. Mr. Walters also emphasized that teen use of cocaine, marijuana, and inhalants has decreased substantially, and that consumption of methamphetamine and hallucinogens like LSD and ecstasy has "all but collapsed."
However, recent data from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) indicates that Mr. Walters' statement may be a little ambitious. According to SAMHSA, from 1995 to 2005, the percentage of substance abuse treatment admissions for primary abuse of methamphetamine/amphetamine more than doubled from 4% to 9%. SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Use and Health indicated that approximately 510,000 youth aged 12 to 17 (2%) used stimulants (including methamphetamines) non-medically in 2006.
(Source: wsj.com; samhsa.gov)
Labels: drugs
Teen Died After Lethal Combination of Drugs and Alcohol
An Australian teenager begged friends to get her help, but they delayed 3 hours before calling an ambulance, even though she was "blue"and struggling to breath. She was dead before the ambulance arrived.
The teens were participating in a "pharm party" - these are parties where teens often toss any pills or drugs they have into a bowl. The teens then reach in and grab a bunch of the pills, often washing them down with alcohol. This highly dangerous game is popular among teens in the United States as well.
Now two years later, during an inquest into the teen's death, one teenager reported that he wanted to call an ambulance, but the other teens talked him out of it. They were afraid the police would become involved.
One youth claimed it was "not my party, not my house, not my call."
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Labels: addiction, drug overdose, drugs, pharm parties
