1. MARIJUANA INTERVENTION COMMITTEE Can the Coalition respond as a community to what is happening to youth in Holmes County

3. Past year marijuana use among eighth-graders jumped from 14.5% to 16%

4. Daily marijuana use for eighth-graders was 1.2%

5. Daily marijuana use for tenth-graders was 3.3%

6. Daily marijuana use for twelfth-graders was 6.1% (2010 Monitoring the Future Survey) Marijuana Use On the Rise(Federally-funded survey of 46,482 students)

7. Marijuana Use (Holmes County Students)

8. Holmes County Data

9. Marijuana, Youth, and Keeping a Positive Outlook

10. Marijuana Youth and Keeping a Positive Outlook

12. Community Involvement Including Parents

15. Need for Community Intervention

18. Effects of MarijuanaThe Brain The brain and its activity functions. Parts of the brain that are affected by THC (marijuana).

19. The main active chemical in marijuana is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol or THC THC acts upon specific sites in the brain, called cannabinoid receptors, kicking off a cellular reaction that leads to the “high” The highest density of these receptors influence pleasure, memory, thinking, concentrating, sensory and time perception, and coordinated movement (NIDA) Effects of MarijuanaThe Brain (cont.)

21. In one study, it was estimated that marijuana users have a 4.8-fold increase in the risk of heart attack in the first hour after smoking the drug.

22. This may be due to increased heart rate as well as the effects of marijuana on heart rhythms, causing palpitation and arrhythmias.(NIDA) Effects of MarijuanaThe Heart

24. Marijuana smoke contains 50-70 percent more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than tobacco smoke.

25. Marijuana users usually inhale deeper and hold the smoke longer, which increases the exposure to the carcinogens.

26. Marijuana smokers show dysregulated growth of epithelial cells in their lung tissue, which could lead to cancer.(NIDA) Effects of Marijuana The Lungs

28. Some of these studies have shown age at first use to be an important risk factor, where early use is a marker of increased vulnerability to later problems.

29. At this time, it is not clear whether marijuana use causes mental problems, exacerbates them, or reflects an attempt to self-medicate symptoms already in existence. (NIDA) Effects of MarijuanaMental Health

31. Studies have shown marijuana impaired several important measures of life achievement, including physical and mental health, cognitive abilities, social life, and career status.

32. Workers who smoke marijuana have increased absences, tardiness, accidents, and job turnovers.(NIDA) Effects of MarijuanaDaily Life

33. To raise awareness in a positive atmosphere through community interaction. To focus and give credit to the youth who are “Saying No” and are following the “Above the Influence” model. To provide a source of positive community interaction by pursuing the possibility of a youth center. Focus of the Marijuana Intervention Committee

34. Created for the National Youth Anti Drug Media Campaign A program of the Office of National Drug Control Policy Their goal is to help teens stand up to negative pressures or influence. The more aware you are of the influences around you, the better prepared you will be to face them, including the pressure to use drugs, pills, and alcohol. “Above the Influence”

35. YES ! Holmes County Youth are worth the effort THE FUTURE OF OUR COMMUNITY LIES IN THEIR HANDS Can the Coalition Respond as a Community to What is Happening to Youth in Holmes County?