ࡱ > b qG jbjb " m m qA L 4. 4. 4. 4. L . L C " p/ L0 L0 L0 L0 L0 x 0 $ 0 rC tC tC tC tC tC tC , F R oH C 0 L0 L0 0 0 C 2 L0 L0 C 2 2 2 0 L0 L0 rC 2 * t 0 rC 2 2 j@ h A d/ ~n 4. 1 R @ A C 0 C @ I 2 I A 2 L L P L L P B-CASA (Brookline Coalition Against Substance Abuse) B-PEN (Brookline Parent Education Network)PARENT NETWORK NEWSLETTER Vol. 15, SPRING 2008 The Brookline Coalition Against Substance Abuse (B-CASA) is an organization of parents, students, educators, health professionals, and community members dedicated to addressing the prevalence of teen alcohol/drug use and associated high-risk behaviors. A SPECIAL ISSUE ON TEENS AND PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSEDID YOU KNOW* More teens abuse prescription drugs than any illicit drug? * Every day, 2,500 12-17 year olds abuse a pain reliever like Vicodin or OxyContin for the very first time? 11% of BHS seniors admit to having used painkillers to get high (2007 Youth Risk Behavior Survey) * ADHD medicine like Adderal and Ritalin is commonly misused by teens as a study aid for energy and focus or as an appetite suppressant for kids trying to lose weight? 16% of BHS seniors admit to using methamphetamines NOT prescribed for them. * Because these drugs are so readily available in the family medicine cabinet, many teens who wouldnt touch illicit drugs covertly try painkillers, stimulants and antidepressants believing they are a safe way to get high? *If your child gives one of these drugs to another child, he/she could be arrested and face a penalty of up to nine months? WHY DO KIDS ABUSE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS? Weve all seen the commercials, the clean cut kid showing off the stash of various prescription drugs hes filched from the family medicine cabinet. All across the nation, including here at Brookline High School, prescription drugs ranging from grandmas painkillers to little brothers ADD medicine are easy for students to get, from friends and from their own homes. And teens are misusing these drugs at record levels without fully realizing the dangers and possible side effects, believing them to be safer than street drugs. WHAT ARE THE REASONS? The primary reasons teens misuse prescription drugs include: * Self-medication, often to dull emotional pain or reduce anxiety * Recreation, the quick high * Enhance performance, such as taking ADHD medication to stay extra alert to finish that final paper or cram for tests. GIRLS ARE PARTICULARLY AT RISK According to information from the Office of National Drug Control, girls are at particular risk from prescription drug abuse, often using drugs to increase confidence, cope with problems, lose inhibitions, or to lose weight. These motivation factors, combined with easier access and less social stigma, make prescription drug abuse a unique threat for females of all ages. John Walters, Director of National Drug Control Policy, believes, "While destructive street drugs like meth and crack produce gruesome news images and headlines, prescription drug abuse has quietly become a major part of our nation's addiction problem. Too many Americans, and increasingly, too many young women, simply do not know the addictive potential of these medicines. This is the kind of public health problem where awareness can save livesand ignorance can cost lives." WHAT BHS STUDENTS SAY (From Peer Education class discussion) What kinds of prescription drugs do kids at BHS take? Students mostly take the commonly found painkillers, stimulants and depressants, but they have been known to try other prescriptions as well just to see what the effect is. They may take more than the prescribed dose to get high, or may crush them up and snort them, using a pill crusher and rolled up dollar bill. Half the class reported knowing at least one student who had taken oxycodone not prescribed to them. Why do students abuse prescription drugs? Students abuse prescription drugs because they are easily accessible in home medicine cabinets. This is a big problem. Because they are from a doctor, students feel prescription drugs are safer. Kids also assume you arent really breaking the law because they are not street drugs. Most who experiment do so because they are curious and want to check out how the drugs make them feel. If they like the effects, they may use again just for fun. Some kids feeling depressed might want to escape how they are feeling, or take too much because they feel suicidal. Prescription drugs are not so much party drugs but more done with small groups or alone. Does the problem get worse certain times of the year, like exams? Not really right before exams. Students may not want to take something that they associate with getting them buzzed when it is crunch time to get work done. Plus, they may be unsure of how the drug will affect them, so it is not a good time to take chances. But stress can lead to increased use, so the problem might get worse over the holidays and other stressful times. With stimulants, the real problem is kids crushing pills and snorting them to get high. There should be much more education about side effects. Are painkillers a big problem? Definitely. Parents get prescriptions for a bad back, only take a few, and leave the rest in the medicine cabinet. Kids, or their friends, can easily find them, and parents wont even notice if a few are missing. Painkillers give the most buzz, and are the most addictive. They are also really dangerous when mixed with alcohol. Do kids know the risks involved with mixing alcohol with painkillers? Students may have heard that on TV, but they still dont get that the interaction of alcohol and painkillers can be lethal. Kids will take medications, then drink and get really messed up. Should we do more at BHS to educate students? We dont cover prescription drug abuse at all during high school, not even freshman health. We definitely need to provide more education, not just about what the dangers are and the consequences, like health problems and legal issues, but how students can avoid the pressures that lead to abuse and learn healthier ways to cope with stress. What can parents do to help their kids be more informed? Parents need to be more aware of the problem. They need to make pills less accessible. . Once you are done with a drug, it should be disposed of. Parents should also let kids know that they keep track of their medications and talk to their kids about the possible dangers and side effects of taking pills not prescribed to you. Parents also need to think of what kind of example they are setting for kids with how they are using medications. Are they taking them outside of the conditions warranting the prescription? One movie recommended by the class: Charlie Bartlett, about a kid that hands out Ritalin. It could be a good conversation starter TEENS DONT REALIZE THE RISKS According to the website Parents The Anti-Drug, there are serious health risks related to the abuse of prescription drugs that teens may not realize. A single large dose of prescription or over-the-counter painkillers or depressants can cause breathing difficulty that can lead to death. Stimulant abuse can lead to hostility or paranoia, increased body temperature and irregular heartbeat, even heart system failure or fatal seizures. Even in small doses, depressants and painkillers have subtle effects on motor skills, judgment, and ability to learn. The abuse of OTC cough and cold remedies can cause blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, coma, and even death. Many teens report mixing prescription drugs, OTC drugs, and alcohol. Using these drugs in combination can cause extreme allergic reactions as well as respiratory failure and death. Addiction is also a major concern. According to the website, treatment admissions for prescription painkillers increased more than 300 percent over the past decade.GET THE FACTS(From Parents The Anti-Drug) The most commonly abused prescription medications are painkillers, like OxyContin or Vicodin. These produce sensations of euphoria and pleasure and are highly addictive. They can easily lead to overdose when crushed and snorted or mixed with other drugs, such as alcohol. Depressants, such as Valium or Xanax, are also commonly abused by teens. These drugs make users feel calm and reduce anxiety and tension. They are addictive and can be deadly when used in combination with prescription pain medications, some over-the-counter (OTC) cold and allergy drugs, or alcohol. In addition, stimulants, such as medications for ADD and ADHD Ritalin and Adderall --are being abused by many teens to help study better in response to excessive pressure to do well in school or to suppress appetite for weight loss. Resources for more information on prescription drug abuse include: HYPERLINK "http://www.theantidrug.com/drug_info/prescription_drugs.asp" \t "_blank" www.theantidrug.com/drug_info/prescription_drugs.asp HYPERLINK "http://www.nida.nih.gov/DrugPages/prescription.html" \t "_blank" www.nida.nih.gov/DrugPages/prescription.html Basic info (names of drugs, effects, etc.) HYPERLINK "http://teendrugabuse.us/prescription_drug_abuse.html" \t "_blank" www.teendrugabuse.us/prescription_drug_abuse.html For parents HYPERLINK "http://www.painfullyobvious.com/" \t "_blank" www.painfullyobvious.com For youth WHAT CAN PARENTS DO?* Talk to your teens parents are still the number one influence in their childrens lives. Tell them that taking prescription or OTC drugs without a doctors approval and supervision can be a dangerous even deadly decision. Dispel the myth that these drugs are less harmful than street drugs because they are available through a doctor or at the local drug store. Be specific about the risks (see facts below) * Understand why teens abuse prescription and OTC drugs. People abuse drugs because drugs change the way they feel. Many teens point to personal or family-related stress as a major reason, including stress around family life and relationships; academic competition; trying to fit in; the balance between school work, grades, and extracurricular activities like sports and clubs; and the desire to have the ideal physical appearance. * Be vigilant about your teens activities online. Anyone who has a computer and a credit card can order prescription drugs online without a prescription. Routinely monitor the Web sites your teen has visited and track purchases made with a credit card. Be aware of what is mailed to your home. * Set a good example. Dont abuse or share prescription drugs or over-the-counter medications. *Closely monitor and regulate the supply of prescription drugs in your home and in homes of family members to which your children and their friends have access *Properly dispose of any unneeded or expired prescription drugs. * If you suspect your teen is using drugs, take action. Talk to your teen, reiterate your rules and expectations and enforce consequences. To get help, contact your teen's school counselor, pediatrician/family physician or Brookline High Schools confidential drug prevention team -- Mary Minott (713-5155, HYPERLINK "mailto:Mary_Minott@Brookline.mec.edu" \t "_blank" Mary_Minott@town.Brookline.ma.us ) or Hope Schroy (713-5149, HYPERLINK "mailto:Hope_Schroy@Brookline.mec.edu" \t "_blank" Hope_Schroy@Brookline.k12.ma.us.) You can also call the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information at 1-800-662-HELP for a listing of treatment centers in your area and find information online at HYPERLINK "http://dasis3.samhsa.gov" http://dasis3.samhsa.gov. WATCH LIST FOR PARENTS *Missing prescription drugsespecially narcotics and mood stabilizers * Signs of abuse, including: Slurred speech, staggering walk, sweating, nausea, vomiting, numbness of extremities, dilated pupils, drowsiness, dizziness, manic behavior * Changes in friends * Negative changes in schoolwork, missing school, or declining grades * Increased secrecy about possessions or activities * Increase in borrowing money * Bottles of eye drops, which may be used to mask bloodshot eyes or dilated pupils STUDY STIMULANTS A STUDENTS PERSPECTIVEBy Dana Roth, Senior, BU School of Journalism It is no surprise that stress and pressure are very common in high schools and colleges. Trying to balance assignments, sports, clubs, and some sort of social life is a true challenge that many students face. A growing trend that seems to help with this issue is the illicit use of prescription drugs. I am a senior at a nearby university and recently created a news piece about this epidemic. Through research and interviews, I found that the sale of study drugs is not only a widespread occurrence across college campuses, but in the hallways of high schools as well. As I am sure most of you know, those who are diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder are often prescribed to Adderall, Concerta, or other stimulant drugs. What you may not know is that these pills are often sold to students without a prescription as study aids for $10 to $20 a pill --$30 or more during midterms and finals. The high school and college students who spoke to me about the issue admit that the desperation to succeed under pressure is what feeds this popular market. With every generation, competition to excel among fellow students is increasing, therefore making it a little more difficult to balance everything on ones plate. Most illicit users in school environments dont see taking study drugs as a crime or an unfair advantage. A doctor and professor of pharmacology told me that many students compare taking stimulant drugs to drinking a cup of coffee; both give you a jolt of concentration and energy. He also warned that at high doses stimulant drugs can be considered speed. The use of study drugs is clearly spreading across the board. A recent New York Times article expressed that professionals, such as surgeons and professors, are turning to stimulant drugs as well. While this may startle some readers and not surprise others, it is nevertheless proof that many people see positive results. A scary thought to many, but a true taste of reality. Hoping to perform at their best ability while succeeding above others is the common thread holding illicit users together - and keeping the market alive. . STAY INVOLVED As parents, we are still our teens greatest influence, especially as they move through major life shifts. Its important to stay engaged, even when our kids push us away as they strike out for more independence. The B-CASA website offers a wealth of valuable information, from parenting tips on a wide range of issues to student-suggested ideas on safe local activities/entertainment (Where the Party At?) The website also offers opportunities to get involved in the community to help our kids stay safe as well as lists of local and national resources/websites. Check it out! * * * HYPERLINK "http://www.BCASA.org" www.BCASA.org * * * LOCAL SUPPORT SERVICESHave a question about teen alcohol or other substance abuse? The Brookline Substance Abuse Prevention (BSAP) Team at Brookline High School provides free and confidential information, counseling, and support to students and their families for any alcohol or drug related questions or problems. Students can come in with questions, concerns about their own use of alcohol or drugs, or how to help a friend. Parents can call or set up an appointment to discuss any concerns they have about a childs use of alcohol or other drugs. Whether it is early experimentation, advice on how to have proactive discussions at home, or concerns about more serious use and where to go for help, program counselors can provide confidential information and guidance. Program counselors can also be reached by phone and school e-mail: Mary Minott, 713-5155, HYPERLINK "mailto:Mary_Minott@Brookline.mec.edu" \t "_blank" Mary_Minott@town.Brookline.ma.us (for grades 9 & 11) Hope Schroy, 713-5149, HYPERLINK "mailto:Hope_Schroy@Brookline.mec.edu" \t "_blank" Hope_Schroy@Brookline.k12.ma.us (grades 10 & 12). Both are available to support elementary school children as well. Offices are located at BHS in room 149 next door to the Nurses' Office, and at the Brookline Public Health Department (11 Pierce St.). Parents and students are welcome any time during the school day. This newsletter is available in full on the B-CASA website: HYPERLINK "http://www.BCASA.org" www.BCASA.org or sign up on the PTO webpage. ****Published Quarterly by Brookline Coalition Against Substance Abuse Karen Campbell, Editor HYPERLINK "mailto:karencampbell4@rcn.com" \t "_blank" karencampbell4@rcn.com o p q 9 : ; I J W M ̲܍vk]k]kVO h h` hy h` hC h` 56CJ aJ hC h` CJ aJ ,h h` 5B*CJ OJ QJ ^J aJ ph +hh+ h` 5B*CJ OJ QJ \aJ ph h` CJ OJ QJ \^J aJ #h8c h` CJ OJ QJ \^J aJ h2 h` 5 h` 5h` 5CJ \aJ h` #h` B*CJ0 OJ QJ ^J aJ0 ph h[ h` 5CJ \aJ E p q v p kd $$If l ," " t 0 6 4 l 4 a p $$If a$gd` $If gd` qG z z $$If a$gd` y kdZ $$If l ," " @ t 0 6 4 l 4 a p : z z $$If a$gd` y kd $$If l I ," " t 0 6 4 l 4 a p : ; I } $If gd` y kd2 $$If l I ," " t 0 6 4 l 4 a p I J V W L M , - } } } } } } } } } } $If gd` y kd $$If l I ," " @ t 0 6 4 l 4 a p $If gd` p kd $$If l I ," " t 0 6 4 l 4 a p 1 s i ` \ h ҺȬҬҬҬҬҐyoohhhhhh h0 h` h W h` 56 ,h W h` 5B*CJ OJ QJ ^J aJ ph )hs h` B*CJ OJ QJ ^J aJ ph hWY h` h] h` h0 h` h< h` h` 56 h h` 56 h` +h6 h` 5B*CJ OJ QJ \aJ ph %h` 5B*CJ OJ QJ \aJ ph ( 9 { 1 } } } q } } } } } q } } $$If a$gd` $If gd` y kdr $$If l I ," " @ t 0 6 4 l 4 a p } y kd $$If l I ," " t 0 6 4 l 4 a p $If gd` u v ] ^ } } } } } } } } } } } } } $If gd` y kdf $$If l I ," " t 0 6 4 l 4 a p t v ^ m n % 2 [ \ d J q w 4 k q n o $ % - 2 n r ! *! ,! -! ! 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