FACTSJust the

FACTSAbout Alcohol and Other Drugs

Why Do People Take Drugs?

People take drugs because they want to change something in their lives whether it’s to be happier or just to have more fun…

Some reasons why young people have taken drugs:» To fit in» To escape or relax» To relieve boredom» To seem grown up» To rebel» To experiment

They think that drugs are the solution, but eventually they become the problem.

ALCOHOL

Alcohol» What is alcohol?˃ Ethyl alcohol, or ethanol, is an intoxicating ingredient

found in beer, wine and liquor. Alcohol is produced by the fermentation of yeast, sugars and starches.

• A standard drink is 12 grams of pure ethanol, which equals:− 12 ounces of beer or a wine cooler− 8 ounces of malt liquor− 5 ounces of wine− 1 ½ ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits

Effects of AlcoholAlcohol is a depressant, which means it slows the function of the central nervous system.

Short-Term Effects of Drinking» Slower reactions and poor coordination» Heavy sweating» Blurry or double vision» Nausea and vomiting» Lowered reasoning ability» Doing or saying things you would not

otherwise » Slowed breathing» Lower heart rate» Anxiety, restlessness» Mental confusion, memory loss» Coma» Death from respiratory arrest

Long-term Health Consequences» Every effect of alcohol is stronger in teenagers

than it is in adults.» Heavy or long-term drinking can cause irreversible,

often fatal damage to the body, including:˃ Liver disease˃ Heart disease and stroke˃ Brain cell death˃ Cancer of the mouth, esophagus, breast, pancreas, liver, colon, and rectum˃ Decreased bone density˃ Damage to eyes and skin˃ Malnutrition and gastric illnesses

» Plus, alcohol will stunt your growth!

Liver Disease

Alcohol’s Deadly Statistics• 1 in 7 drinkers become dependent on alcohol.• Alcohol kills over 100,000 people every year.• Alcoholism affects more people than diabetes, lung cancer, breast

cancer or heart attacks, and as many people as high blood pressure.• Alcohol use in pregnancy is the most common nonhereditary cause of

mental retardation.• Drunk driving accidents kill about 15,000 and injure over 300,000

people every year.• Alcohol use is involved in:

− Half of murders, accidental deaths and suicides.− A third of drowning, boating and aviation deaths.− Half of all crimes.

• 32% of incarcerated teens were drunk at the time of their crime and/or arrest.

» Unconsciousness or semi-consciousness» Slow respirations (breaths of less than 8 per minute or lapses

between breaths of more than 8 seconds)» Cold, clammy, pale or bluish skin» Strong odor of alcohol

» Call 911 immediately.» Gently turn the person on his/her side and secure.» Stay with person until medical help arrives.

Signs of Alcohol Poisoning

What to do if you suspect alcohol poisoning…

Dangerous Blood Alcohol Levels

.02-.04%

Breath odor, relaxed,

euphoric, mildly buzzed

.05-.07%

Impaired judgment, emotional, lightheaded

.08-.15%

Legally intoxicated, nauseous,

drunk

.16-.25%

Confusion, staggering, blackouts, very drunk

.26% or more

Dysphoric mood, muscle

paralysis, passing out, risk of death

LOCAL DATAAge of Onset: ALCOHOL

(Percent that answered 12 or younger)

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Drinking Regularly: ALCOHOL(Past 30 day usage)

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30 Day Drunkenness: ALCOHOL

PRESCRIPTION AND OVER-THE-COUNTER DRUGS

Prescription and Over-the-Counter Drugs» Prescription (Rx) drugs are medicines that are

available only with a prescription from a healthcare professional. These drugs usually treat conditions that are serious enough to require a doctor’s supervision.

» Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are medicines that can be purchased without a prescription to treat minor conditions such as headaches, colds, fever or pain.

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Lifetime Usage: OTC(use to get high)

Types of Commonly Abused Prescription Drugs

» Stimulants: drugs that speed up the central nervous system and are mainly prescribed to treat illnesses like attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, or asthma.

» Depressants: such as sleeping pills or anti-anxiety drugs slow down brain activity and heart rate.

» Opiates/Opiods (pain relievers): often prescribed to treat pain» Over-the-counter: cough and cold medicines

Pain relievers are the most commonly abused prescription drugs among teens. Many of these drugs carry a very high potential for addiction.

Health Risks Associated with Prescription Drug

Abuse» Addiction» Severe respiratory

depression» Organ damage» Heart damage» Seizure» Death

Signs of Prescription Drug AbuseSigns can vary depending on the substance being abused. Some of the most common symptoms of prescription drug abuse include:

» Constricted pupils» Slurred speech» Flushed skin» Personality changes» Mood swings» Irritability» Excessive energy

» Sleepiness or avoiding sleep

» Sweating» Loss or appetite» Forgetfulness» Clumsiness» Secretiveness» Loss of interest in

personal appearance

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Lifetime Prescription Drug Usage(use of a narcotic without a prescription)

MARIJUANA

Marijuana

» Marijuana is a greenish-gray mixture of the dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds and flowers of Cannabis sativa—the hemp plant.˃ Most users smoke marijuana in hand-rolled cigarettes.

» The main ingredient in marijuana is THC, Tetrahydrocannabinol.˃ It also contains more than 400 other chemicals.

» Marijuana is the most frequently used illegal drug in the United States.

How Marijuana Impacts the Body» Neck and head – long-term marijuana use has been

linked to higher rates of head and neck cancers. Risks are nearly tripled with frequent marijuana use.

» Circulatory system – Marijuana increases heart rate. Individuals are four times more likely to experience heart attacks within the first hour of use. Using marijuana affects your blood pressure and reduces oxygen in the blood.

» Respiratory system – Marijuana decreases the oxygen carrying capability of your blood. Marijuana has nearly 70 percent more cancer-causing agents than tobacco. Users are more likely to experience lung cancer, lung infections, bronchitis and respiratory problems.

» Reproductive system – Some studies have demonstrated that marijuana users have decreased fertility.

Harmful Effects of Marijuana» Confusion» Problems remembering recent events» Loss of concentration and coordination» Poor decision-making» Risk of having more accidents» Loss of motivation» Less active» Increased heart rate» Anxiety, panic attacks and paranoia» Will see things that are not there (Hallucinations)» Damage to the respiratory, reproductive and immune systems

Marijuana smokers are much more likely to get chest colds, bronchitis, emphysema and bronchial asthma.

Marijuana SymptomolgyWithdrawal Symptoms» Tiredness» Depression» Mood swings» Hostility» Arguments with family

members» Sloppy appearance» Change in appetite

Signs of Usage» School Problems» Trouble with the law» Trouble remembering

something that just happened» Bloodshot eyes» Appear to be dizzy» Appear silly/ giggly, out of

character for no reason» Seem to stagger when walking

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30 Day Usage: Marijuana

INHALANTS

Inhalants

» Inhalant abuse is the deliberate inhalation or “sniffing” of fumes, vapors or gases from common household products for the purpose of getting high.

» Inhalants affect your brain with much greater speed and force than many other substances and can cause irreversible physical and mental damage before you know what’s happened.

» A person can die the very first time they intentionally inhale a product to get high. This is called “Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome.”

» Abusing inhalants can kill and can cause brain, liver and kidney damage and lead to the use of illegal drugs or alcohol.

Risk of Inhalant AbuseInhalants affect your heart. They starve the body of oxygen and force the heart to beat irregularly and more rapidly, which can be dangerous for your body.

Inhalants damage other parts of your body. People who use inhalants can experience nausea and nosebleeds; develop liver, lung and kidney problems; and lose their sense of hearing and smell. Chronic use can lead to muscle wasting and reduced muscle tone and strength.

Inhalants can cause sudden death. Inhalants can kill you instantly. Inhalant users can die by suffocation, choking on their vomit, or having a heart attack.

Warning Signs of Inhalant Abuse» Slurred speech» Drunk, dizzy or dazed appearance» Coordination difficulties» Unusual breath odor» Chemical smell on clothing» Paint stains on body or face» Red spots or sores around the mouth/nose» Red eyes» Runny nose» Headaches

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30 Day Usage: Inhalants

HEROIN

Heroin

is obtained from the opium poppy. It is a “downer” or depressant that affects the brain’s pleasure systems and interferes with the brain’s ability to

perceive pain.

» Heroin enters the brain quickly . It slows down the way you think, slows down reaction time, and slows down memory. This affects the way you act and make decisions.

» Heroin is a highly addictive drug derived from morphine, which

Facts About Heroin» Heroin poses special problems for those who inject it because of the risks of

HIV, hepatitis B and C, and other diseases that can occur from sharing needles.

» Heroin is highly addictive because it enters the brain so rapidly. It particularly affects those regions of the brain responsible for producing physical dependence.˃ Heroin is an illegal Schedule I drug, meaning that it is in the group of the most highly

addictive drugs.

» Heroin use can have tragic consequences that extend far beyond its users. Fetal effects, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, violence and crime are all linked to heroin use.

» Heroin is one of the most frequently reported drugs by medical examiners in drug abuse deaths.

» Any method of heroin use – snorting, smoking, swallowing or injecting the drug - can cause immediate harm and lead to addiction.

» Because the strength of heroin varies and its impact is more unpredictable when used with alcohol or other drugs, the user never knows what might happen with the next dose.

Effects of Heroin

Short-term Effects» “Rush”» Slowed breathing» Clouded mental functioning» Nausea and vomiting» Sedation, drowsiness» Hypothermia» Coma or death

Effects of Heroin

Long-term Effects» Bad teeth» Inflammation of the gums» Constipation» Cold sweats» Itching» Weakening of the immune

system» Coma» Respiratory illnesses» Muscular weakness, partial

paralysis

» Menstrual disturbance in women

» Loss of memory and intellectual performance

» Introversion» Depression» Sores on the face» Loss of appetite» Insomnia

Know the Signs…

Signs and Symptoms of Heroin Use:» Euphoria» Drowsiness» Impaired mental

functioning» Slowed respiration» Constricted pupils

Signs of a Heroin Overdose:» Shallow breathing» Pinpoint pupils» Clammy skin» Convulsions» Coma

METHAMPHETAMINE

Methamphetamine» Methamphetamine (Meth) is an addictive

stimulant that strongly activates certain systems in the brain.˃ Abusers may become addicted quickly, needing higher doses more

often.

» Other names: Speed, Meth, Crystal, Crank, Tweak, Go-fast, Ice, Glass, Uppers, Black Beauties

Effects of Meth

SHORT-TERM EFFECTS:

» Loss of appetite» Increased heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature» Dilation of pupils» Disturbed sleep patterns» Nausea» Bizarre, erratic, sometimes violent behavior» Hallucinations, hyperexcitability, irritability» Panic and psychosis» Convulsions, seizures and death from high doses» Meth causes mind and mood changes such as anxiety, euphoria and depression.

Methamphetamine affects your self-control. It is a powerfully addictive drug that can cause aggression and violent or psychotic behavior.

Effects of Meth

LONG-TERM EFFECTS:

» Permanent damage to blood vessels of heart and brain, high blood pressure leading to heart attacks, strokes and death

» Liver, kidney and lung damage» Destruction of tissues in nose if sniffed» Respiratory (breathing) problems if smoked» Infectious diseases and abscesses if injected» Malnutrition, weight loss» Severe tooth decay» Disorientation, apathy, confused exhaustion» Strong psychological dependence» Psychosis» Depression» Damage to the brain similar to Alzheimer’s disease, stroke and epilepsy

A Normal BrainA Methamphetamine

User’s Brain

The Reality of Meth

Age 13 Age 17

The Risks of Using Meth

» Meth can cause a severe “crash” after the effects wear off.

» Meth can cause irreversible damage to blood vessels in the brain.

» Meth users who inject the drug and share needles are at risk for acquiring HIV/AIDS.

Signs of Meth Use

» Inability to sleep» Increases sensitivity to noise» Nervous physical activity, like scratching» Irritability, dizziness or confusion» Extreme anorexia» Tremors or even convulsions» Increased heart rate, blood pressure, and risk of stroke» Presence of inhaling paraphernalia, such as razor blades,

mirrors and straws» Presence of injecting paraphernalia, such as syringes,

heated spoons, or surgical tubing

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Lifetime Usage: Meth

COCAINE

Cocaine» Cocaine is a powerfully addictive stimulant that

directly affects the brain.˃ The word “cocaine” refers to the drug in both a powder (cocaine) and

crystal (crack) form.

» Cocaine causes a short-lived high that is immediately followed by opposite, intense feelings of depression, edginess, and a craving for more of the drug.

Effects of Cocaine» Cocaine affects your body. Users often don’t

eat or sleep regularly. They can experience increased heart rate, muscle spasms and convulsions. If they snort cocaine, they can permanently damage their nasal tissue.

» Using cocaine can make you feel paranoid, angry, hostile, and anxious, even when you're not high.

Short-Term Effects

» Loss of appetite» Increased heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature» Contracted blood vessels» Increased rate of breathing» Dilated pupils» Disturbed sleep patterns» Nausea» Hyperstimulation» Bizarre, erratic, sometimes violent behavior» Hallucinations, hyperexcitability, irritability» Tactile hallucination that creates the illusion of bugs burrowing under the skin» Intense euphoria» Anxiety and paranoia» Depression» Intense drug craving» Panic and psychosis» Convulsions, seizures and sudden death from high doses (even one time)

Long-Term Effects

» Permanent damage to blood vessels of heart and brain » High blood pressure, leading to heart attacks, strokes and death» Liver, kidney and lung damage» Destruction of tissues in nose if sniffed» Respiratory failure if smoked» Infectious diseases and abscesses if injected» Malnutrition, weight loss» Severe tooth decay» Auditory and tactile hallucinations» Sexual problems, reproductive damage and infertility (for both men and women)» Disorientation, apathy, confused exhaustion» Irritability and mood disturbances» Increased frequency of risky behavior» Delirium or psychosis» Severe depression» Tolerance and addiction (even after just one use)

Know the Signs…

» Red, bloodshot eyes» A runny nose or frequent sniffing» A change in groups of friends» Acting withdrawn, depressed, tired or careless

about personal appearance» Losing interest in school, family or activities he

or she used to enjoy

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Lifetime Usage: Cocaine

Just the FACTS