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What School Staff Need to Know about Substance Abuse? Information compiled from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA]. (2009) National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2008, and the CDC’s YRBS. The national Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS 2009) monitors six categories of priority health-risk behaviors among youth and young adults, including behaviors that contribute to unintentional injuries and violence; tobacco use; alcohol and other drug use; sexual behaviors that contribute to unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection; unhealthy dietary behaviors; and physical inactivity. The national YRBS is conducted every two years during the spring semester and provides data representative of students in public and private schools in grades 9-12 in the United States. For more information, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/yrbs/index.htm . From the most recent information, we know that students reported the following: 72.5% of students had had at least one drink of alcohol on at least 1 day during their life and 41.8% of students had had at least one drink of alcohol on at least 1 day during the 30 days before the survey. Many people begin to drink alcohol during adolescence and young adulthood. Alcohol consumption during this developmental period may have profound effects on brain structure and function. Heavy drinking has been shown to affect the neuropsychological performance (e.g., memory functions) of young people and may impair the growth and integrity of certain brain structures. Furthermore, alcohol consumption during adolescence alters measures of brain functioning, such as blood flow in certain brain regions and electrical brain activities. Not all adolescents and young adults are equally sensitive to the effects of alcohol consumption, however. Moderating factors-such as family history of alcohol and other drug use disorders, gender, age at onset of drinking, drinking patterns, use of other drugs, and co-occurring psychiatric disorders-may influence the extent to which alcohol consumption interferes with an adolescent’s normal brain development and functioning. National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism 36.8% of students had used marijuana one or more times during their life. 20.8% of students had used marijuana one or more times during the 30 days before the survey. According to recently released data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), there were 2.4 million new users of marijuana in 2009. Additionally, the average age of initiation – first-time use of marijuana − dropped from 17.8 years of age in 2008 to 17.0 years in 2009. There was also a nine percent increase (from 6.7% to 7.3%) in current users of marijuana age 12 to 17 between 2008 and 2009. The lowering of age of initiation and increase in number of people using marijuana is very alarming. Marijuana use is associated with voluntary treatment admissions, respiratory and mental illness, poor motor performance, and cognitive impairment, and emergency room admissions. And young people are the most susceptible group to these negative effects. Plus, using drugs at an early age increases the likelihood of heavier abuse and addiction later in life. 11.7% of students had ever sniffed glue, breathed the contents of aerosol spray cans, or inhaled any paints or sprays to get high one or more times during their life. Parents and children need to know that even sporadic or single episodes of inhalant abuse can be extremely dangerous. Inhalant abusers risk an array of other devastating medical consequences. The highly concentrated chemicals in solvents or aerosol sprays can induce irregular and rapid heart rhythms and lead to fatal heart failure within minutes of a session of prolonged sniffing. This syndrome, known as "sudden sniffing death," can result from a single session of inhalant use by an otherwise healthy young person. Sudden sniffing death is associated particularly with the abuse of butane, propane, and chemicals in aerosols. Animal and human research shows that most inhalants are extremely toxic. Perhaps the most significant toxic effect of chronic exposure to inhalants is widespread and long-lasting damage to the brain and other parts of the nervous system. National Institute on Drug Abuse, Revised July 2010 How Can Inhalant Abuse be Recognized? Early identification and intervention are the best ways to stop inhalant abuse before it causes serious health consequences. Parents, educators, family physicians, and other health care practitioners should be alert to the following signs: Chemical odors on breath or clothing Paint or other stains on face, hands, or clothes Hidden empty spray paint or solvent containers, and chemical-soaked rags or clothing Drunk or disoriented appearance Slurred speech Nausea or loss of appetite Inattentiveness, lack of coordination, irritability, and depression 46.3% of students had ever tried cigarette smoking (even one or two puffs). 19.5% of students smoked cigarettes on at least 1 day during the 30 days before the survey. 20% of teens say they have taken a prescription drug without a doctor's prescription. This is a growing concern among our youth. The most commonly used and abused prescription drugs fall into three classes: Opioids Examples: oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), and meperidine (Demerol) Medical uses: Opioids are used to treat pain or relieve coughs or diarrhea. How they work: Opioids attach to opioid receptors in the central nervous system (the brain and the spinal cord), preventing the brain from receiving pain messages. Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants Examples: pentobarbital sodium (Nembutal), diazepam (Valium), and alprazolam (Xanax) Medical uses: CNS depressants are used to treat anxiety, tension, panic attacks, and sleep disorders. How they work: CNS depressants slow down brain activity by increasing the activity of a neurotransmitter called GABA. The result is a drowsy or calming effect. Stimulants Examples: methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (Adderall) Medical uses: Stimulants can be used to treat narcolepsy and ADHD. How they work: Stimulants increase brain activity, resulting in greater alertness, attention, and energy. Over-the-Counter Drugs Some people mistakenly think that prescription drugs are more powerful because you need a prescription for them. It is also possible to abuse or become addicted to over-the-counter (OTC) medications. For example, dextromethorphan (DXM) is found in some OTC cough medicines. When someone takes the number of teaspoons or tablets that are recommended, everything is fine; although high doses can cause problems with the senses (especially vision and hearing) and can lead to confusion, stomach pain, numbness, and even hallucinations Signs of Prescription Drug Abuse and What to do Have you noticed changes in your student's behavior? Does your student have friends that you suspect might be abusing prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) drugs? Whatever the reason - don't ignore the issue at this critical time. The problem is more common than many parents and school staff may think. More teens are abusing prescription drugs than any illicit drug, except marijuana. Here are some tips: Be absolutely clear with your students about the “I know I have to do dangers of drugs and drug abuse. If you can work the something, but topic into your lessons, talk about the dangers and results of drug and alcohol abuse. where do I start?” Use TV reports, anti-drug commercials, or school discussions about drugs to help you introduce the subject in a natural, unforced way. Get more specifics on using teachable moments. Learn the facts about substance use and abuse. Don't react in a way that will cut off further discussion. If your students make statements that challenge or shock you, turn them into a calm discussion of why your students think people use drugs, or whether the effect is worth the risk. Role-play with your students and practice ways to refuse drugs in different situations. Acknowledge how tough these moments can be. Get more specifics on using role-playing. If you suspect a student is using, talk with your school mental health professionals and/or their parents about your concerns. Source: The National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign's Behavior Change Expert Panel Take Early Action Against Teen Drug Use including Drinking: Think your students may be “experimenting” with drugs? It’s better to find out the truth now than wait until the problem is out of control. Read more in the Action Guide for Parents LEARN: Drug Information Know What to Watch for Signs & Symptoms Tips for Parents Read More EVALUATE: Think You Know Your Teen? Take This Quiz. Hear Real Stories and Advice Your Own Use Read More TAKE ACTION: Advice for Parents & Families Help for Single Parents Find Help Locally Resource List Read More Helpful Articles Grade school kids need early alcohol-use prevention Prevention needs a comprehensive, communitywide approach Generation Rx: The alarming rise in prescription drug abuse Underage drinking -- not a harmless rite of passage Changes in brain increase teen risk of drug addiction Talking with Kids about Alcohol and Drugs Study: Early drinking a strong predictor of alcoholism Teens and Prescription Drugs (PDF) Other Helpful Resources National Institute on Drug Abuse: http://www.nida.nih.gov/parent-teacher.html Parents, the Anti-drug: http://www.theantidrug.com/advice/ Colorado Alliance for Drug Endangered Children: http://www.coloradodec.org/ The El Paso and Teller Counties Alliance for Drug Endangered Children: Center for Substance Abuse Treatment: http://csat.samhsa.gov/mission.aspx National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/ The Partnership: http://www.drugfree.org/