Email us at: [email protected] http://mcleodmeada.org/
Chemical Health Chemical Health Drug Trends Chemical Health Prevention Counselor: Trend Corner: Carmen Morrow
Emerging Trends and Alert: As the Chemical Health Prevention Fentanyl-Related Overdoses Prompt Alert from CDC Specialist for the Hutchinson School District The Centers for Disease Control and and a member of MEADA & ZAP our Prevention (CDC) McLeod Co. Chemical Health Coalitions, I am constantly being asked questions like: There has been large increase in fentanyl- Do we really have drugs in our related overdoses and deaths in many schools? Community? What type of drugs parts of the country. Fentanyl is an are the students abusing? How can we extremely potent synthetic opioid—50 help? times stronger than heroin. Traditionally, fentanyl and analogs such as carfentanil Unfortunately, McLeod Co. Schools have have been mixed with powder heroin. the same drug issues that most schools Fentanyl-laced heroin has been linked to a do. Students that choose to use chemicals surge of overdoses in Indiana and Ohio in usually start to experiment in the middle late August, 2016. Fentanyl and related school years. These initial drug choices are compounds are also being found in usually alcohol, nicotine (cigarettes/e- counterfeit pills made to look like cigs/chew), and inhalants. The next three prescription pain relievers and sedatives drugs in the progression are usually (e.g., OxyContin®, Xanax®, Norco®). These marijuana, synthetic pot (K2-―Spice’ is a counterfeit pills are also the subject of a mixture of dried herbs sprayed with recent Drug Enforcement Administration psychotropic drugs similar to THC in alert. marijuana but can be 10 times stronger), and pills. Those who use heroin or prescription drugs laced with fentanyl are at much higher risk The potency of today’s marijuana is said to of overdose and death. When emergency be 5 times stronger than 18 years personnel are able to respond in time, they ago. Many of our students don’t believe it sometimes need multiple doses of is addictive or harmful. This mind set has child naloxone to reverse fentanyl made marijuana a popular drug used by overdoses. students for escaping stress and wanting a high. Nationally, each year there are over 100,000 individuals who seek treatment because of marijuana addiction. The overall majority of students needing September/October 2016
Email us at: [email protected] http://mcleodmeada.org/
chemical health treatment at the High to hide the physical signs of usage from School level have developed a teachers and parents. However, the abuse dependency on marijuana. quickly turns into dependency. Prescription drug abuse has been The newest student trend is the increase increasing over the years. Students steal, use of brain boosting buy, exchange prescription and over the stimulants/amphetamines. In the last few counter medication. Teens can use cold years, there has been a shift in what type and cough suppressant medication that of individuals use these stimulants and the has the ingredient Dextromethorphan reasons behind the use. The pressure to /DXM to get high and cause delusions. succeed at academics, ACT scores, or to These types of highs are referred to as be alert for online gaming sessions often ―Robbo-Tripping‖ and‖ Triple C’s trips.‖ cause our high achieving students to look They drink or use tablets of cold medicine for Adderall, Ritalin or a similar stimulant. in large quantities to achieve a high that For those without the ADHD disorder, the may last up to 6 hrs. Allergy medication, drugs can be dangerous and have serious such as Benadryl, or ADHD/ADD side effects. Taking brain-boosting medication; Ritalin, Adderall when stimulants aren't a smart choice either as taken/snorted in large quantities are they can be very dangerous to students another popular means for a high. developing brains. Those students who want a brain boosting, academic Students may get high on either one or advantage, are seeking out ADHD multiple types of medication/drugs. You medication; Adderall, Ritalin and other may have seen on the news lately; mixing brain enhancer pills like Addium and pills, combining alcohol, or ingesting large Modafuni. dosages can be fatal. The pills that are most commonly abused are pain relievers, Super–caffeinated energy drinks, with such as OxyContin, Vicodin and Percodan. names like Red Bull, Monster, Full Throttle These pills are metabolized into morphine, and Amp have surged in popularity. just like heroin is. These highly addictive Caffeine intoxication is exhibited by prescription drugs are almost always students who drink several cans in one day. obtained by student’s family and friend’s They report feeling anxious, restless, medicine cabinets and not through drug insomnia, tremors and a rapid heartbeat. dealers. Opiate/pain relievers abuse can Students report mixing energy drinks result in heroin use. Heroin is cheaper and (stimulant) and alcohol (depressant) at easier to obtain than prescription parties in order to drink more, and to drink drugs. The increase of prescription drug longer. This is a very dangerous abuse has made heroin surge in combination. popularity. Ecstasy is still popular and widely available among our heavier users. Methamphetamine, bath salts (synthetic Students who are abusing pills find it easier hallucinogens promoted as legal cocaine, September/October 2016
Email us at: [email protected] http://mcleodmeada.org/
methamphetamine, amphetamine, encouraged. Nationally and locally, binge Ecstasy and LSD), 2C-E (powerful drinking continues to cause deaths, psychedelic hallucinogen similar to LSD resulting from poor judgment and alcohol and heroin), cocaine, and LSD (Acid) are poisoning. We now know that brain also available to our students. Those that development continues to take place until use these drugs can be addicted quickly. the age of 22 yrs. Those under 22 yrs. are The majority of the students do not much more vulnerable to brain damage, experiment with these drugs. They see it as poor decision making, and addiction than crossing the line over to addiction. Those adults. students that choose to experiment with cocaine, heroin or meth, usually get So what can we do to help our children? addicted quickly, requiring inpatient Seek out support from chemical health treatment in their high school years. ―Molly‖ professionals if you notice changes that (pure MDMA), Ecstasy or LSD ―Acid‖ are concern you. Educate yourself on current common hallucinogen, psychedelic drug drug trends and be aware of the pressures which are very potent. LSD is usually found your children face. Most students identify on blotter paper which is perforated into with one or more of these three reasons for small squares. ―Molly‖ is usually taken in pill their use; to escape from life’s pressures, form and is popular at concerts. avoid painful feelings, and to fit in. We have found that the earlier the Designer or synthetic drugs are very intervention, the better chance a student dangerous and causing deaths. Synthetic has in remaining drug free. Talk to your drugs are widely sold as bath salts and children often about the risks of chemical incense. They are often smoked, inhaled, use and your values on underage/illegal eaten or injected. These designer drugs drug use. Statistics show that they do listen are constantly changing their chemical to what their parents say. structure to stay ahead of the state and national banning. They can be purchased easily online and in local head shops. Being a Role Model These very dangerous drugs have been for your Child popular for those on probation or by By Raising Children Network anyone that wants to get around testing positive on a UA. (Urine analysis drug test)
Alcohol is still the number one drug of choice for children and adolescents. Alcohol is the leading cause of death among young people in the United States. Binge drinking has continued to be accepted by peers and even September/October 2016
Email us at: [email protected] http://mcleodmeada.org/
What you say is also important. You can help your child to manage and control his own behaviour by talking about how behaviour affects other people. You can also use more complex reasoning and examples to talk about the differences between right and wrong. Now’s a good time for this because your child is developing his ability to understand other people’s experiences and feelings. Did you know Teenagers often end up with values, beliefs Tips for role-modelling and behaviour similar to their parents’. Research has shown that young adults are Include your child in family more similar to their parents than they discussions, and give her input into appeared to be as teenagers. family decisions, rules and expectations. These are good ways You have an important part to play in your of helping her understand how child’s life – even if it doesn’t always feel people can get along with others that way. What you do and say guide your and work together. child’s behaviour, attitudes and beliefs Try to practise what you preach. over the long term. Teenagers can and do notice when you don’t! Being a role model for your child Work towards a healthy lifestyle by When your was younger, your role was to eating well and exercising regularly. lay the blueprints for his behaviour – for Try to avoid making negative example, cooperating with others and comments about your body – and showing how to take turns. Now your child other people’s too. Not only will you is a teenager, he can start taking be healthier, but you’ll send an responsibility for his own behaviour. important message about body But you’re still an important role model. image and acceptance. What you do shows your child how you want her to behave. For example, how you Show that you enjoy education and cope with feelings such as frustration and learning. If you make it seem distress influences how your child regulates interesting and enjoyable rather her emotions. What you eat, how much than a chore, your child is more likely you exercise, and how you look after to have a positive attitude to school. yourself will all influence your child. Keep a positive attitude – think, act and talk in an optimistic way. September/October 2016
Email us at: [email protected] http://mcleodmeada.org/
Take responsibility for yourself by agreeing on and setting appropriate limits admitting your own mistakes and and helping them behave within those talking about how you can correct limits. them. Try not to blame everything When your child was younger, you that goes wrong on other people or probably used a range of discipline circumstances. strategies to teach him the basics of good Use problem-solving skills to deal with behaviour. Now your child is growing into a challenges or conflicts in a calm and teenager, you can use limits and productive way. Getting upset and boundaries to help him learn angry when a problem comes up independence, take responsibility for his encourages your child to respond in behaviour and its outcomes, and solve the same way. problems. Show kindness and respect to others. Your child needs these skills to become a Read more here young adult with her own standards for appropriate behaviour and respect for Discipline strategies others. An important part of this is learning to stick to some clear rules, agreed on in for teenagers advance, and with agreed consequences. By Raising Children Network Teenagers don’t yet have all the skills they need to make all their own decisions, so the limits you agree on for behaviour are an important influence on your child. Teenage discipline is most effective when you:
communicate openly with your child, so you can check in with each other about how the limits and rules are working build and maintain a warm and Around the time that your child starts loving family environment, so your secondary school, you might need to child feels safe to make mistakes. adjust your approach to discipline. Children with warm family Effective discipline for teenagers focuses relationships learn to control their on setting agreed limits and helping own behaviour, especially when teenagers work within them. guided by parents. Teenage discipline: the basics Discipline isn’t about punishment. It’s about Read more teaching children appropriate ways to behave. For teenagers, discipline is about September/October 2016