The document discusses substance abuse among youth and provides information on different drugs and their effects. It notes that substance abuse is the uncontrolled, unprescribed use of any substance that can harm physical or mental health. Many youth do not see alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana as drugs, and over half of youth between 10-17 have tried at least one drug. The rise in HIV/AIDS and STDs among youth is linked to drug abuse.

1. DON’T WORRY! IT CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE.

2. Substance abuse can simply be defined as a pattern of harmful use of any substance for mood-altering purposes. It is uncontrolled and un-prescribed. It leads to effects that are detrimental to the individual's physical and mental health, or the welfare of others.

3. Drugs, or the broader term Substances, affects, alters, or changes the natural processes or functions of the body. In the case of certain illnesses or diseases, the prescribed or controlled use of Drugs/Substances has wonderful medical benefits. On the other hand, the un-prescribed or uncontrolled abuse of Drugs/Substances can be extremely disastrous.

4. Most youths do not consider alcohol, tobacco, and sometimes marijuana as drugs. 56% of youths between the ages 10-17 years have tried at least one drug. The rise in HIV AIDS and other STD’s among our youth has direct links to Drug Abuse.

5. These are multi-faceted and relate to: THE PERSON, e.g. heredity, psychological problem. THE DRUG, e.g . availability, Accessibility. THE ENVIRONMENT, e.g. Social, Cultural, Economic, Historical Conditions.

7. Curiosity. Inherited Tendencies. Early Influences /Following Examples. Dysfunctional Families. Lack of or Negative Parental Guidance. Inadequate Life Skills. Poor Self Image /Self Esteem. Boredom & Idleness .

8. Desire to feel good/high. Lack of Information. Feeling of Invincibility. Rebelliousness. Being deceived/tricked into using. Illiteracy. Difficulty Coping with Depression & Stress. Mental Disturbance. Poor Physical Health.

9. TOBACCO. ALCOHOL. COCAINE. INHALANTS. ALCOHOL TOBACCO

10. COCAINE INHALANTS

11. A LOOK AT ALCOHOL!

13. Smell of Alcohol on the person. Impaired muscle/limbs coordination. Impaired judgment. Slurred, slow speech. Swaggering walk.

14. SHORT TERM: Faster & weaker heart beat. Confusion & lack of concentration. Sick stomach & vomiting. Mood changes quickly to violence & depression. LONG TERM: Permanent liver, heart & brain damage. Liver cancer. Stomach ulcers. High blood pressure Death from overdose. Death from road and other accidents.

15. BEFORE 6 BEERS AFTER 6 BEERS

17. Smoked in cigarettes, as cigars or in pipes. Chewed as tobacco. Sniffed.

19. SHORT TERM : Faster heart beat High blood pressure Dizziness Relieves tension & tiredness LONG TERM : Lung & Heart damage Lung, mouth, & throat cancer Stomach ulcers Reduces sense of taste & smell

24. “ Crack” is produced by “cooking’ cocaine with baking soda. It is a more potent and addictive form of cocaine. It is cut up in small pieces(rocks) resembling small lumps of soap with the texture of porcelain. Cocaine is: Snorted or inhaled in its pure form. Smoked as crack.

25. SHORT TERM: Faster heart beat. Blood pressure rises. Body temperature rises. Breathe faster. Can’t sit still or sleep/Restlessness. Become more alert. Short term high followed by depression. Changes in sleeping/eating habits. LONG TERM: Permanent lung damage. Holes & ulcers inside of the nose. Personality changes & violent behaviour. Fear of people & things(paranoia). See things that aren’t real (hallucinate). Death from overdose.

28. Inhalants are a broad range of drugs in the forms of gases, aerosols, or solvents which are breathed in and absorbed through the lungs. Most inhalant drugs which are used non-medically are ingredients in household or industrial chemical products which are not intended to be concentrated and inhaled, including organic solvents, fuels (petrol and kerosene) and propellant gases such as freon and compressed hydrofluorocarbons which are used in aerosol cans such as hairspray, whipped cream and non-stick cooking spray.

29. SHORT TERM Double vision, feel dizzy, get bad headaches. Sick stomach, nausea, loss of appetite. Tired feeling, fatigue, hand tremors. Slows down body functions. Bad breath, Chemical odor. Aggressiveness. LONG TERM Careless about appearance . Red or runny eyes or nose. Speech gets slurred, lack of coordination. Sneeze, cough, get bloody noses. Vomiting, diarrhea, urinate & defecate without control. Moody, restlessness. Lack of concentration.

30. INHALANT USERS

32. 27% Increase in Illicit Drug Use in 12 to 17 Year Olds. 73% Increase in Illicit Drug Use in 12 to 13 Year Olds. 32% Increase in Marijuana Use in 12 to 17 Year Olds. 33% Increase in Cigarette Use in 12 to 13 Year Olds. Highest Rates in New Cocaine Users in Youth. Highest Incidence Rate in Heroin Use in Youth.

33. COLLEGE STUDENTS EXPERIENCING POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES OF DRUG USE: Hangover. 59.8% Nauseated or Vomited. 49.0% Did Something Later Regretted. 35.8% Drove Car While Under the Influence. 33.6% Missed a Class. 30.1% Argument or Fight. 29.4% Criticized by Someone Knew. 28.2% Memory Loss. 28.1%

34. “ An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” - Henry de Bracton

39. No substance use on school properties. Set aside areas for smoking. Drug Free Zones discouraging use and sales. Reducing or eliminating access to and availability of tobacco, alcohol or other drugs. Addressing infractions of policies with positive sanctions by providing counseling or treatment and special services to the students rather than punishing them through suspension or expulsion.

40. PRE-SCHOOL Discuss the joys of healthy living. Celebrate your child’s decision-making skills. Stress personal responsibility for health and well-being. Help child steer clear of existing dangerous substances. Help child separate make-believe from real life. Turn frustration into a learning opportunity. Tell your child how proud you are when they are helpful.

41. GRADES KG-6 TH Discuss drug related messages received via ads and media. Set clear rules and role model good behavior. Help kids explore new ways to express their feelings. Focus on ways kids can problem solve. Give kids power to escape situations that make them feel bad. Get to know your child’s friends and their parents. Enroll kids in programs with healthy, positive messages.

42. GRADES 7-9TH Set rules and enforce consequences Let teen in on all the wonderful things you find about him Show interest-and discuss-her ups and downs Discuss negative effects of drugs and alcohol on appearance Don’t just leave anti-drug education up to school

43. GRADES 10-12TH Be aware of challenges facing teens as they enter HS Know your teen’s friends and hangouts Help your teen reject peer pressure Schedule time with teen to discuss “no drug use” policy Enforce rules and consequences Eat meals together as often as possible Involve your teen in supervised activities Check in with your teen after school

44. GRADES 10-12TH Watch for decline in teen’s school performance. Know the warning signs of drug use. BE A BETTER LISTENER. Give honest answers. Use TV reports, anti-drug ads for discussions. Talk about the risks of drug, tobacco and alcohol use, and don’t use fear tactics to scare them. Don’t react in a way that will cut off further discussion. Role play refusal skills. Stay involved in your teen’s life.

45. PROJECT NORTHLAND Selective (6 th -8 th grade, parents, community). Resistance skills training with homework that involved the parents. Peer-directed alcohol-free activities. Student-developed anti-alcohol plays performed for parents. Newsletters to parents. Community organization efforts to develop policies regarding under-age drinking.

46. Don’t use scare tactics. Don’t tell too much too soon. Don’t give details on how to use. Don’t think this abuse starts in high school. Don’t link inhalants to drug unit.

47. But in the end, it all comes down to you. So if you don’t want to look like him…

50. For a better environment, A better society, A happier life And above all for U. Because in the end….it’s your life and please please take care of it…….. And hope I made a difference which counts…

51. Tell 5 families about this issue and ask each of them to tell 5 more families. Keep the circle of awareness going. Microsoft clipart