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Current Drug Trends. Heather Wombough, M.S., L.A.C., N.C.C. What is Currently “Popular”. Heroin “Molly” LSD DXM Prescription Drugs Salvia Marijuana Alcohol. Heroin.
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Current Drug Trends Heather Wombough, M.S., L.A.C., N.C.C.
What is Currently “Popular” • Heroin • “Molly” • LSD • DXM • Prescription Drugs • Salvia • Marijuana • Alcohol
Heroin • In 2011 and 2012 combined, the [Bergen County] Prosecutor’s Office counted 130 heroin-related overdoses, 38 of which were fatal. 1 • On the rise in suburban towns • Injected or snorted • Connected to pain medicine • Withdrawal 1http://www.northjersey.com/news/Suburbia_s_deadly_secret_A_rising_death_toll_offers_tragic_proof_of_heroin_s_reach_across_North_Jersey.html
“Molly” • MDMA/Ecstasy • Re-branding success story • Parties/Concerts • Suicide Tuesdays – serotonin • Teeth grinding, anxiety, insomnia, loss of appetite, seizures • Danger of over hydration, dehydration, or hyperthermia
LSD • Hallucinogen • Generally ingested through tablets, on blotting paper or a sugar cube • Myth to cause a “good trip” • Babysitting
DXM • Hallucinogen • Dextromethorphan • Mild disassociativestate • As of 2008 – 10% of American teenagers • A.K.A. dex, red devils, robo, skittles, tussin, syrup, velvet
Prescription Drugs • Opiates • Morphine, Codeine, OxyContin, Percocet, Vicodin • Dreamy pleasant state of drowsiness • Depressants • Xanax, Valium, Ambien • Mellow feeling, reduction of anxiety • Stimulants • Ritalin, Adderall, Focalin • Performance enhancement, weight loss, euphoric high drugabuse.gov
Salvia • Mint-Like Herb • Short, but intense, high • < 1 minute until effect • <30 minute high • Hallucinogenic • Salviadragon.com, salviasupply.com, salviacult.com • “Smoke Shops”
Marijuana • Legalization • Can be laced • THC • Addiction • Increased Potency • Bongs, Joints, Blunts • Brownies • Baggies
Alcohol • Binge Drinking • Drug combinations • Dangers include: • Blacking out • Passing out • Vomiting • Drinking & Driving
Signs of Depressant Influence • Includes Alcohol, and Prescription Depressants • reduced social inhibitions • divided attention impairment • slowed reflexes • impaired judgment and concentration • impaired vision and coordination • slurred, mumbled or incoherent speech • a wide variety of emotional effects, such as euphoria, depression, suicidal tendencies, laughing or crying for no apparent reason, etc. Aboutdrugs.us
Signs of Stimulant Influence • Includes Prescription Stimulants and “Molly” • Increased alertness • Hyperactivity • Increased bodily functions (heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing) • Enlarged pupils • Anxiety • Irritability • Increased energy • Changes in eating and sleeping patterns • Hot and cold flashes • Respiratory problems • Hallucinations aboutdrugs.us
Signs of Hallucinogen Influence • Mood swings • Hallucinations • Jitteriness • Changes in heartbeat • Nausea • Chills • Numbness • Lack of coordination
Signs of Marijuana Influence • Slow thinking • Slow reflexes • Reduced coordination • Problems concentrating • Reduced motivation • Dilated pupils • Bloodshot or glassy eyes • Dryness of the mouth • Increased appetite • Mood swings • Panic attacks • Anxiety and paranoia • Psychosis • Hallucinations • Delusions
Signs of Opiate Influence • Includes Heroin and Prescription Painkillers • Slow breathing • Flushed skin • Pinpoint pupils • Drowsiness • Nausea and vomiting • “Nodding Off”
Why Teens Use Drugs? • Common risk factors for teen drug abuse include: • A family history of substance abuse • A mental or behavioral health condition, such as depression, anxiety or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) • Early aggressive or impulsive behavior • A history of traumatic events, such as experiencing a car accident or being a victim of abuse • Low self-esteem or poor social coping skills • Feelings of social rejection • Lack of nurturing by parents or caregivers • Academic failure • Relationships with peers who abuse drugs • Drug availability or belief that drug abuse is OK http://www.mayoclinic.org/teen-drug-abuse/art-20045921
What Parents Should Look For • Smell like cologne or spray • Eye drops • Coming home in different clothes • Basement • Child goes straight to bathroom/takes a shower • Large sums of money • Always asking for money – not seeing any return • Bartering
What Should Parents Do? • Ask your teen's views.Avoid long, boring lectures. Instead, listen to your teen's opinions and questions about drug use. Observe your teen's nonverbal responses to see how he or she feels about the topic. Encourage your teen to talk by making statements instead of asking questions. For example, saying, "I'm curious about your point of view" might work better than "What do you think?" • Discuss reasons not to abuse drugs.Avoid scare tactics. Emphasize how drug use can affect things important to your teen — such as sports, driving, health and appearance. Explain that even a teen can develop a drug problem. • Consider media messages.Some television programs, movies, websites or songs glamorize or trivialize drug use. Talk about what your teen has seen or heard. • Discuss ways to resist peer pressure.Brainstorm with your teen about how to turn down offers of drugs. • Be ready to discuss your own drug use.Think ahead about how you'll respond if your teen asks about your own drug use. If you chose not to use drugs, explain why. If you did use drugs, share what the experience taught you.
Summary • Potential for addiction • Interactions with other substances • Remember: Communicate and Set Limits • Utilize Resources to Help Your Teen Heather Wombough, M.S., L.A.C., N.C.C. Student Assistance Counselor (201) 445-7700 x. 6239 womboughh@glenrocknj.org