GATEWAY DRUGS & CURRENT TRENDS Presented by: Our Mission To reduce the impact of alcohol, drugs and other addictions by providing quality services to individuals, families and the community. Our Services – Assessment & Referral – Family and Education Services – Prevention Contact Us – (816) 361-5900 or (913) 233-0747 – www.firstcallkc.org – “Help is Just a Phone Call Away” Understanding Addiction 1,2,3 - 4,5,6 - 7,8,9 Addiction in Children Brain maturation Legal drinking age Addiction “window” Quiz Time About one in ____ Missouri high school students is a cigarette smoker. On average, young people in Missouri begin drinking at ___.__ years of age. Teens who smoke cigarettes are ___ times more likely to use marijuana than those who don’t smoke cigarettes. About 1 in 4 Missouri high school students is a cigarette smoker. On average, young people in Missouri begin drinking at 12.7 years of age. Teens who smoke cigarettes are 8 times more likely to use marijuana than those who don’t smoke cigarettes. Drugs of Abuse Stimulants Depressants Hallucinogens Inhalants Narcotics Quiz Time (again) Nicotine is a... Alcohol is a… Marijuana is a… Bonus point: ___________, _________ and __________ are commonly referred to as GATEWAY drugs. Stimulants Nicotine Caffeine Ephedrine Pseudo-ephedrine Ritalin/Adderall Amphetamines Cocaine Crack Cocaine Meth Khat Symptoms/Effects Short Term – Increased heart rate – Alertness/ Restlessness/ Anxiety – Exhilaration/ Excess energy – Sleeplessness – Loss of Appetite – Shakiness – Sweating – Blurred vision – Poor focus or concentration – High fever Long Term – – – – – – – – – – – Weight Loss Irregular heartbeat Chest pain Paranoia Delusions Hallucinations Seizures Coma Stroke Heart failure Death Combining with alcohol or other drugs is especially dangerous. Nicotine 3,000 kids become regular smokers every day The level of nicotine in U.S. cigarettes has risen about 10 percent in the past six years, making it easier to get hooked and harder to quit The three most popular cigarette brands with young smokers : Marlboro, Newport and Camel. Remember this guy? Today’s marketing tactics Camel No. 9 Sex sells … & yes!: these ads appeal to youth hookahs & hookah bars Camel “Crush” Don’t Forget to Remind Kids… Smoking causes: Cancer Heart Disease Bad breath Stained teeth Wrinkles Shortness of breath & It’s an expensive habit! Caffeine Traditionally, a cup of coffee has been 6 ounces A “Grande” at Starbuck’s is 16 ounces Starbuck's brewing instructions recommend “two tablespoons of ground coffee for each 6 ounces of water." Energy Drinks ~ 88 mg of caffeine per can of Red Bull Beware of the danger (& trend) of mixing with alcohol Watch for alcohol content in energy drinks Depressants Sedatives, Sedative-Hypnotics and Tranquilizers Old School Pills – Barbiturates – Benzodiazepines (Valium and Librium) – Phenobarbital – Quaaludes … among others Today’s “downers” – Nembutal – Ambien, Ativan, Halcion, Lunesta, Restoril, Xanax – Benadryl & other antihistamines – GHB – Rohypnol – Alcohol Short Term Effects/ Symptoms Sense of calm or well-being Sleepiness Lethargy Decreased Vital Signs Clumsiness Difficulty in concentrating Risk of overdose (in combination or alone) Long Term Effects Confusion Disorientation Memory Problems Tolerance Addiction Weak Muscles Liver Problems The effects of alcohol The most commonly used drug Produces intoxication – a sense of euphoria Depresses brain functioning (in “layers”) – Cognitive – Emotional – Fine Motor Skills – Gross Motor Skills – Reflexes Urination, vomiting, passing out - the body’s defenses against alcohol poisoning Tolerance develops and addiction can occur Blood Alcohol Concentration and Behavior 0.00% BAC Lowered inhibitions Some loss of motor coordination Decreased alertness ___ ~ .08% COGNTION Reduced social inhibition Impaired ability to drive EMOTION Increased loss of coordination FINE MOTOR Slowed reaction time Clumsiness, exaggerated emotions GROSS MOTOR Unsteadiness REFLEXES Hostile or aggressive behavior Slurred speech Severe Intoxication Inability to walk Confused Incapacitated, loss of feeling Difficult to arouse Unconsciousness Coma Death due to organ failure (heart, kidney) 0.50% BAC Having a BAC of .08% means that a person has one drop of alcohol per 800 drops of blood in the body. Particular Issues of Concern for Youth Binge Drinking Tolerance & Addiction Drunk Driving Date Rape Stats to consider Alcohol kills many more teenagers than all illicit drugs combined. Alcohol is a factor in the 4 leading causes of death among persons ages 10 to 24. People who begin drinking before age 15 are 4 Xs more likely to develop alcohol dependence than those who begin drinking at age 21. More than 67% of people who start drinking before 15 will try an illicit drug. Don’t Forget to Remind Kids… Alcohol causes: Liver, heart and brain damage Loss of appetite Vitamin deficiencies Stomach ailments Skin problems Bad breath Sexual problems Memory loss Kiddie cocktails “Peels” Alcopops “B-to-the-E” Party Games “Pass Out” Mixing with Red Bull & other energy drinks Jello shots Zippers Mike’s Hard Lemonade College consumptions Hpnotiq (new mixer of choice) Bacardi Silvers Flavored Vodkas Alcohol Without Liquor 21 birthday shots hookahs Hallucinogens Marijuana – Hash – Hash Oil Psilocybin (‘shrooms) Dextromethorphan Ecstasy Mescaline LSD Disassociatives – PCP – Ketamine Effects Short Term – – – – – Euphoria or Dysphoria Feeling connection with others Altered consciousness Disconnected from reality Unpredictable behavior Long Term – Danger of latent psychological problems being exacerbated – Flashbacks Emotional Somatic Perceptual Marijuana Signs & Symptoms Relaxation “Munchies” Dry Mouth Red Eyes Thought Interruption Anxiety Paranoia Marijuana Effects Distorted perceptions Increased heart rate Slower Reflexes Interference in the brain – – – – – Memory Concentration Coordination Learning Ability to problem solve Panic Attacks Reproductive organ changes Respiratory problems Addiction? Amotivational syndrome Cancer ? Inhalants “Anything that Paints, Polishes or Propels” – – – – Spray Paint, Vanish, Glue Wite-Out, Markers Nail Polish Remover, Acetone, Ether Gasoline, Aerosol Cans, Mineral Spirits, Freon “Huffers” generally concentrate the vapors for inhaling in a plastic bag or can Popular with young drug users Physical Effects – – – – – – – – Loss of appetite Muscle or joint pain Headache Drowsiness or fatigue Insomnia Indigestion or stomach problems Severe brain damage Death (a possibility with every use!) There is no safe use of inhalants Signs of use – – – – – – – – Appearance of intoxication Anxiousness or irritability Changes in eating and/or sleeping habits Slurred speech Spots or sores around nose and mouth Red or runny eyes or nose Chemical odors on clothing Paint on hands or face Again: There is no safe use of inhalants Chronic abuse can result in: Diminished memory & reasoning abilities Heart malfunction Deterioration of certain parts of the brain Loss of IQ points Permanent damage to kidneys, lungs and bone marrow Finally… There is no safe use of inhalants Video head cleaner Brief head rush Skin flushing Muscle relaxation Liver damage Laughing Gas Analgesia, euphoria, mild sedation Numbing of nerve endings due to B12 depletion (fingers & and toes) the new generation gap: current drug use trends Know what these are … ? … ‘ how ‘bout this one? Prescription Meds and OTCs Commonly abused meds Ritalin/Adderoll Cough syrup (with DXM) Cold meds like NyQuil Pain meds Anything in the medicine cabinet “Generation Rx” 2.3 million 12-17 year olds took meds illegally in ’03 … that’s 3 Xs the number who did so in ’92. 1 in 3 teens … 1 in 4 …. 1 in 5 … 1 in 10 … Why? They’re easy to access They’re cheap (or free) They’re “everywhere” “RoboTripping” Overdosing on Dextromethoprhan (DXM) Active drug found in OTC cough medicines Slang terms: Robotripping CCC Smurfing Robofizz Skittles Triple Cs Narcotics (pain relievers) Codeine Tylenol 3 or 4 Oxycontin/ Oxycodone Hydrocodone (Vicodin) Percocet Darvon Fentanyl Morphine Opium Heroin Methadone Effects Short Term Pain Relief Euphoria Respiratory depression Potential for overdose Long Term Addiction Detox is Painful “Pharming” Every kid contributes to the “grab bag” Everybody pops one , or a hand-full, randomly Kids hoard prescribed meds for the next party Swipe "left overs" in the family medicine cabinets Take precautions K2 - - - > K3 http://blogs.pitch.com/plog/2009/11/product_review_will_k 2_synthetic_marijuana_get_you_high.php “Bath Salts” • A synthetic CNS stimulant containing 4-MMC (mephedrone) & MDPV (methylenedioxypryovalerone) w/ potential for addiction • “Not for human consumption” (neither is K2/K3) • Snorted, swallowed, injected w/ 3-4 hour high • Increase heart rate & blood pressure … and agitation, hallucinations, extreme paranoia, delusions, seizures, depressed mood & suicidal thoughts when coming down • 292 Nat’l Poison Control Calls in all of 2010; 469 in the 1st 2 mos. of 2011; 34 exposures reported in MO this year so far. • aka: “Ocean Snow”, “Lunar Wave”, “Vanilla Sky” Not Cool Whip Canisters of Cream is 30 proof while Whipped Lightning is 36 proof - and is cheaper than most liquor. “Cheese” Moving in from the South Low grade heroin + Tylenol PM = Cheese Cocaine Fruit-flavored cocaine • Full potency • Flavor is chemically infused • $1K – 1400 per oz. street value • Market appeal targets kids Ecstasy (MDMA) Methy-lene-Dioxy-Meth-Ampehtamine Taken orally: aspirin-like pill w/ cartoons Popular club drug (aka ‘X’, Skittles) Symptoms include – – – – Grinding Teeth Hyperthermia (to 110°) Sleeplessness Hyponatremia (swelling of the brain) “Party favors” – glow toys, jewelry & retainers – candy necklaces – surgery masks & menthol “Extreme Ecstasy” • Meth-laced MDMA • Moving in from the North • Potential for life-threatening overdose increases when combined with alcohol. Methamphetamine A synthetic stimulant Ingested orally, smoked, snorted, injected Made with chemicals available at local stores. High lasts several hours, releases dopamine Highly addictive How Old Are Meth Users Methamphetamine Symptoms – – – – – – – – – – – Restlessness Eating sugary junkfood Weight Loss Hair Loss Acne Cheek streaks Crank Bugs Meth mouth Tinkering Tweaking Chemical odor Effects – – – – – – – – – – Euphoria Increased energy Decreased appetite Sexual arousal Increased heart rate Increased blood pressure Anxiety Paranoia Hyperthermia Damage to blood vessels in the brain – Seizure Candy-flavored meth Children living with meth What to watch for: Changes in habit Exhibits lack of boundaries Anger/ emotional outbursts/ fighting or … Flat affect/ withdrawl/ detachment or … Clinging and attention seeking Changes in appearance: Deficit in personal grooming Wearing same clothes Skin sores or irritations Poor attendance Falling grades Fatigue/ sleeping in class Repeated complaints of not feeling well Respiratory problems Strong odors of chemicals Knowledgeable of drug processes Knowledge about sex/ pornography A recent phone call “I overheard my nephew talking to a friend and I think he’s using drugs. What do thizz and mac mean?” Access this website for street names. http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/stree tterms/ Questions???