This document provides an overview of drugs and substance abuse including definitions, health effects, and prevention strategies. It defines different types of drugs like stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens and inhalants. It discusses signs of drug use and recommends educating families, improving communication, monitoring activities, and seeking help from resources. The goal is to help recognize issues early and prevent substance abuse among youth.

1. Every Child Counts
iLearn, iGrow,
iSucceed
ACSA Symposium
2014
Los Angeles County Office of Education
Division of Student Support Services
Community Health & Safe Schools Unit

2. DISCLAIMER
Information contained in presentation and
materials are for information purposes only, and
may not apply to your situation. Information
provided is subjective. The author, presenter and
Los Angeles County Office of Education provide
no warranty about content or accuracy of content
and assume no liability for any action or reaction
arising from use of the information. Medical
personnel and/or law enforcement should be
contacted if use of substance is suspected to
insure proper diagnosis and treatment. All links
are for information purposes only and are not
warranted for content, accuracy, or any other
implied or explicit purpose.
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3. MYTHS & MISCONCEPTIONS
Beliefs about teen drug
and alcohol use
• Teen drinking, drug use
is no big deal
• They are just
experimenting
• I would know if my
students are using
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4. DEFINITIONS
DRUGS – substance that
causes physical or
emotional change
• Alcohol, illegal drugs,
tobacco, herbal,
caffeine, inhalants
• Over-the-counter (nonprescription)
• Prescription (doctor
written order)
PSYCHOACTIVE
EFFECTS – effects of a
person’s mood or
behavior
• Mood-altering
• Affects brain activity
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5. DEFINITIONS
• Addiction: body relies on given drug to help it function
• Compulsive use of drug- despite cost
• Changes structure and chemistry of brain
• Tolerance: need increased amount to feel effects
• Craving: strong need for drug, can’t manage without it
• Loss of Control: preoccupied with drug or alcohol and
unable to limit use
• Physical Dependence: experience withdrawal, may
include death, coma, muscle trembling, disorientation,
sweats, insomnia
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6. CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
(CNS) STIMULANTS
Includes:
Nicotine
Speed up mental and physical
responses of CNS
Cocaine
• Enhances brain activity
Methamphetamine
• Causes increase in alertness,
attention and energy
• Increases blood pressure,
heart rate and breathing
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7. COCAINE
• Cocaine HCL (Powder), Cocaine
Base (Crack)
• Grows primarily in Peru and Bolivia
• Not Columbia!
• First extracted in mid-19th century
• Used as tonic/elixir to treat variety
of illnesses, and as local anesthetic
• Continues to have limited use in
surgery
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8. METHAMPHETAMINE
• Powder, Rock (ICE)
• Amphetamine has close chemical relations to
methamphetamine and dextroamphetamine
• CNS stimulants whose reactions resemble those of
adrenaline
• Amphetamine was used in 1930’s for nasal congestion
(pseudoephedrine today)
• Was created by German chemists in WWII in attempt
to create a SUPER SOLDIER
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9. CNS STIMULANT: HEALTH HAZARDS
• Feelings of restlessness,
irritability and anxiety
• Prolonged use can trigger
paranoia
• Depression when addicted
individuals stop using
• Deaths often a result of
cardiac arrest or seizures
followed by respiratory arrest
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10. CNS DEPRESSANTS
Includes:
Alcohol
Marijuana
Opioids such as
Heroin, OxyContin,
Codeine, Vicodin,
Morphine
Slow down mental and physical
responses of CNS
• Slows down brain functions,
breathing rates, blood
pressure and body reactions
• In higher doses, some CNS
depressants can become
general anesthetics
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11. OPIATES
• Called narcotics
• Powerful painkillers with high potential for abuse
& addiction
• Prescribed for pain relief
• Attach to receptors in brain, spinal cord and
gastrointestinal tract
• Affect part of brain that perceives pleasure,
causing initial euphoria
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12. HEROIN
• Name for illicit opiate
• Morphine=prescription
• 1874, created from opium
poppy
• 2004, Afghanistan produced
roughly 87% of world supply
• Mexico is second largest
producer in world
• Cartels produce black tar heroin
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13. CNS DEPRESSANT: HEALTH HAZARDS
• Tolerance develops
• Physical dependence, addiction
• Produces drug craving, restlessness, muscle
and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea,
vomiting, cold flashes, kicking movements
• Withdrawal
• Symptoms occur if use is reduced
• May occur within hours after last use
• Sudden withdrawal is occasionally fatal
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14. HALLUCINOGENS
Includes:
MDMA-Ecstasy
LSDGHB
PCP
Rohypnol (roofie)
Mushrooms
Distort sensory information
going to brain
• Not all users hallucinate or
have distorted sense of reality
• No medical use
• Also known as club drugs
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15. MDMA, ECSTASY, E
• Synthetic, psychoactive drug with both
stimulant and hallucinogen properties
• Created in 1914, produced for black
market in 1970s
• Taken orally (most common), can be
snorted or injected
• Usually pill form, variety of colors, shapes
and symbols
• Can be powder or capsules
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16. LSD, ACID
• Generic name for Lysergic
Acid Diethylamide-25
• One of most potent mindaltering chemicals known
• Usually taken orally (on
candy, sugar cubes, blotter
paper or liquid directly on
tongue)
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17. HALLUCINOGENS: HEALTH HAZARDS
• Similar to cocaine
• Psychological difficulties: confusion, depression,
sleep problems, severe anxiety and paranoia
• Physical problems: muscle tension, involuntary teeth
clenching, nausea, blurred vision, faintness, chills
and/or sweating
• Damages parts of brain crucial to processes of
thought, memory and pleasure
• Not considered addictive, but produces a tolerance
• Hallucinations and Flashbacks
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18. INHALANTS
• Breathable chemical vapors that
produce psychoactive effects
• In common household products;
paint, glue and cleaning fluids
• Children and adolescents can
easily obtain and are among
most likely to abuse these
substances
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19. INHALANTS: HEALTH HAZARDS
• Chronic abuse causes severe, long-term damage
to brain, liver and kidneys
• Hearing loss
• Limb spasms
• Bone marrow damage
• Blood oxygen depletion
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20. IF YOU SAW THESE…
…would you be worried?
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21. BATH SALTS AND SPICE/K2
• Synthetic drugs (designer drugs), mimic active
ingredient in marijuana (THC)
• First appeared in 2004 in U.S.
• Sold in head shops, convenience stores and online
• Can be smoked, injected, snorted, or mixed with
food and drink
• Many of compounds found in synthetic drugs have
now been banned, making them illegal
• Substances do not show up on conventional drug
screening tests
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22. • Hallucinogen and depressant
MARIJUANA
• Contains THC, (delta-9tetrahydrocannabinol) main active
chemical
• THC content has increased six fold
since 1978
• Contains more than 400 other
chemicals
• Usually smoked: joint, pipe, bong
• Can be eaten
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23. MARIJUANA: HEALTH HAZARDS
• 1 in 6 become addicted
• THC damages cells that protect against disease
• Causes cancer, lung and airway problems
• Associated with onset of psychotic symptoms
• Teen use causes permanent damage to part of brain
responsible for executive function
• Planning, abstract thinking, understanding rules, inhibiting
inappropriate actions and measuring cognitive flexibility
• Decreases activity in working memory areas of brain,
delaying reaction and ability to remember accurately
• Impairs motivation
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24. MEDICAL USE OF MARIJUANA
• Prescription THC is manufactured in pill form,
Marinol, and has been available for over 30 years
• Studies show medical marijuana is less effective
than traditional medicines and has more side
effects
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25. MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN SCHOOLS
• Law does not allow possession or
use of marijuana, including
medical marijuana
• Students may be disciplined for
being under influence of or
possession of marijuana
• Medical marijuana may not be smoked: where smoking
is prohibited by law; within 1,000 feet of school; on
school bus; or in moving motor vehicle or boat H&S11362.79
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26. MEDICAL MARIJUANA
IN SCHOOLS
• Student medication use during school day must have
prescription from California physician EC 49423
• Physicians may not prescribe marijuana
• only give recommendation H&S 11362.5
• If student’s health condition is so serious that it
requires administration of marijuana, then student
may be too sick for school
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27. OVER THE COUNTER DRUGS (OTC)
AND PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS
• OTC: cough/cold/congestion with
‘DXM’ (Robitussin, Coricidin)
known as “triple C”
• Prescription Medications
• CNS Stimulants: Ritalin, Adderall
(amphetamine based)
• CNS Depressants: Valium, Librium,
Xanax, Morphine, Codeine,
Oxycontin, Vicodin, Demerol
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28. • Curiosity
WHY DO KIDS USE DRUGS?
• Boredom
• Feel good
• Pleasure
• Relax
• Forget troubles
• Feel grown up
• Show independence
• Peer pressure
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29. RISK FACTORS
• Disabilities, such as ADD/ADHD - self
medicated
• Failing in school
• Victim of bullying, cyberbullying
• Experiencing low self-esteem
• Living with addicted family member or
community with high tolerance for use
• Internet accessible substances
• TV: Jersey Shore, Teen Mom, Gossip Girl,
etc.
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30. SIGNS OF USE
• Change in relationships with family and friends
• Loss of inhibitions, mood changes, instability
• Depressed, unable to focus, hostile, angry,
uncooperative, deceitful, secretive
• Decreased motivation, lethargic
• Sleeplessness, hyperactivity
• Personal appearance, health issues
• Grades dropping, truancy, work-related issues
• Lying and stealing – stories don’t add up
• Paraphernalia, clothing, jewelry
Sometimes it’s hard to tell if it’s just “normal” teen behavior
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31. I KNOW STUDENT IS USING
• What is your evidence?
• Consult with peer, administrator
• Conversation (not a confrontation) is critical to help
• Expect denial and anger
• Find ways to break through barriers
• Don’t just talk, listen
• Spell out rules and consequences
• Remind student of your support
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32. DRUG TESTING
• Does not detect every possible drug
• Helps reduce peer pressure
• Trust your instincts
• "radar" often accurate; do not ignore “gut
feelings”
• Recommend consult family doctor, counseling
• Plan how to react when drug use discovered
• There are underlying reasons for drug use,
reasons need to be discovered and “dealt with”
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33. EDUCATE FAMILIES
• Safeguard prescription, OTC drugs
and alcohol
• 39% of teens who abuse prescription
drugs get them from family member’s
or friend’s medicine cabinet
• Dispose of medicines properly
What’s in
your cabinet
at home?
• Ask family - grandparents, &
friends to be alert and safeguard
drugs and alcohol
Los Angeles County Office of Education
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34. FAMILY PROTECTIVE FACTORS
• Parents talk to child about drugs/alcohol at young age
• Use teachable moments
• Listen, make it easy for child to talk honestly
• 50% less likely to use, if learn about risks of drugs at home
• Open communication
• not lecturing, no “he said/she said” conversations
• Provide rules that are clear and consistent with
consequences
• Be a good role model (grandparents, uncle, aunt)
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35. TIPS FOR PARENTS TO KEEP CHILD SAFE
•
•
•
•
•
You condone what you ignore
Be involved in your child’s activities
Plan family activities at least 3+ times a month
Know your child’s friends and their parents
Children want freedom, it needs to be earned and it’s
not appropriate with substance use
• IT IS OKAY TO SNOOP, parents can decide to look
through their child’s room and belongings
• Monitor whereabouts and technology use
(eblaster.com, etc.)
• Trust, but verify
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36. DON’T
• React with anger, even when shocked
• Ridicule
• Give consequences that you will not
follow through
• Expect every conversation to be
perfect
• Simply demand, instead educate
about risk
• Make stuff up, if you don’t know,
look it up or help them look it up
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37. RESOURCES FOR HELP
• Bill Cosby-Fatherhood-a must read for every parent
• AA, Marijuana or Narcotics Anonymous
• Treatment centers
• www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov
• www.drugstrategies.org
• http://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/facilitylocatordoc.htm
• National Institute on Drug Abuse – http://www.nida.nih.gov
• NIDA for Teens – http://www.teens.drugabuse.gov
• Partnership for a Drug Free America – http://www.drugfree.org
• CA Narcotic Officer’s Assoc. – http://cnoa.org/home/nefa/
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38. CONTACT INFORMATION
Tom Steele
Consultant II
Steele_Tom@lacoe.edu
(562) 922-6233
www.lacoe.edu
Los Angeles County Office of Education
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