Jenks Public
Schools
Drug, Alcohol, and
Tobacco Free
Many kids believe that when it comes
to drugs and alcohol…
Everybody
does
it…
Although we do have
Jenks students who are
using drugs and alcohol
regularly, the truth is a
little more complicated.
A random sampling of Jenks students participate in a biyearly survey called the Youth Risk Behavior Survey. The
information you will see on these slides is taken directly from
that survey and are representative of public high school
students statewide.
It is important to note that every school district is different.
Some of the behaviors surveyed may be more or less
prevalent in our school district.
For a complete look at the 2011 survey you can go to this
link:
http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/yrbs/pdf/us_overview_yrbs.pdf
Based on findings by the
Youth Risk Behavior Survey
the truth is more like this…
According to the Survey…
We know that out
of every 100
students
approximately 38
students had one
drink of alcohol
on one or more of
the past 30 days.
According to the Survey…
We know that out of
every 100 students
approximately 22
students engaged in
binge drinking on
one or more of the
past 30 days. -That’s 5 or more drinks of
alcohol in a row within a
couple of hours time
According to the Survey…
We also know that
approximately 23 students
out of every 100 are using
Marijuana on a regular
basis or have smoked
within the past 30 days.
Kids are getting very mixed messages
about marijuana from the media and
even our legal system. Many are
influenced to use by peers who don’t
have all the information concerning
marijuana’s affects.
Usage of illegal drugs
such as cocaine,
heroin, inhalants,
methamphetamine
does occur, but
generally less than 15%
of students have any
kind of exposure to
these types of drugs
According to the Survey…
25% of students were
offered, sold, or given
an illegal drug by
someone on school
property during the 12
months before the
survey.
Research shows that
most parents believe
that kids do use
alcohol and /or
drugs. They just
don’t believe…
…that their child
would ever be
involved with
alcohol or drugs.
Let’s Talk about the Teenage Brain…
Compelling research over the past few years points to
the fact that the Teenage Brain is still in the
development stage during the adolescent years.
Critical thinking and important developmental
milestones are being established through these
years.
In fact, we now know in order to support this process—
teenagers need the same kinds of good nutritional
habits and sleep they did as much younger children.
Most people
don’t
recognize
that once
foreign
chemicals
such as
alcohol or
drugs are
introduced,
basic brain
function is
disturbed.
Over time brain function can
be permanently changed and
unable to return to its normal
processes.
On Thursday, June 30, 2011, Tulsa World
ran a front page article entitled “Addiction
often starts in teens.” It begins, “Nine out
of 10 addicts had their first cigarette, drink
or other drug before their 18th
birthday…And nearly half of all high school
students use those substances, says the
study by the National Center on Addiction
and Substance Abuse at Columbia
University.”
What can substance abuse do in the short
term to your teen?
If your child is using
alcohol or drugs, their
physical health is being
compromised as well as
their ability to
concentrate, memorize
and deal with the
complex problems they
are often presented with
in their school work.
Continued substance abuse can
lead to a whole host of problems:
Physical Problems:
Including weight
loss or gain,
STD’s,
unintended
pregnancies,
even the onset of
mental illness.
Warning Signs of Substance Abuse:
Sometimes its tough to tell. Most kids won’t walk up to someone
they’re close to and ask for help. In fact, most of the time kids will
deny and hide their problems especially when it has to do with
substance abuse.
But there are signs that someone is using alcohol and/or drugs:
 Your child begins lying about things, like where they were and who
they were with.
 Your child may begin avoiding you and refuse to talk about their
lives in any manner.
 Your child becomes very moody or irritable.
 Your child no longer has an interest in things that they previously
enjoyed.
 A previously happy child becomes depressed and angry.
More Warning Signs of Substance Abuse:
Money or other valuables comes up missing with no explanation where it has
gone.
 Your child begins hanging out with new friends that they don’t bring around or
they don’t want to introduce to you.
 Your child develops an attitude and refuses to listen to any kind of advice or
direction.
 Your child takes an inordinate interest in TV shows, movies or other forms of
media where drug and alcohol abuse is glorified.
 You find drug paraphernalia such as pipes, rolling papers, baggies or needles in
their room.
 Your child is overly protective of their bedroom and do not want you in it under
any circumstances.
 Your child gets extremely lazy and begins staying up really late and sleeping in
and/or refusing to go to school.
If you do have questions, please don’t
hesitate to contact the Student Assistance
Program.
If we don’t know the answer, we will direct you
to someone who does.
Paula M. Lau, LPC, LADC
Student Assistance Program Coordinator
918-299-4415 extension 2340
paula.lau@jenksps.org