Teen Drug Help

Communication is Key in Addressing Teen Drug Use

2009-05-29T21:44:00.000-07:00

Michael and Meme are juniors at Vashon High School in Puget Sound, Washington. From their perspective, communication trumps attempted eradication as the key to preventing teen drug use.

"Virtually no community exists today without some kind of substance around, whether it is alcohol, prescription pills, or spray paint. Some grow in our soil, like psychedelic mushrooms, and it is literally impossible to get rid of them. So, as teenagers, we hope that the focus is on communication between two separate entities - teenagers and adults - instead of wasting time trying to eliminate drugs entirely."

Bridging the communication gap between teens and parents gives teens the information they need to make wise decisions. It also builds the type of relationship between parents and teens that gives parents genuine influence in their kids' lives. Source: Vashon Beachcomber

Missouri Mom Accused of Giving Alcohol to Teens

2009-05-27T21:43:00.000-07:00

Karen Downs of Kansas City, Missouri, was arrested in March for providing vodka for several young teenagers at her daughter's birthday party. She reportedly offered $10 to whoever could drink a glass of vodka the fastest.

"Police responded to a complaint of a loud party at a home in northern Kansas City... One girl who was unconscious was taken to a hospital, where her blood content was later determined to be .218, more than twice the legal limit to operate a motor vehicle."

A second girl, who was believed to be suffering from alcohol poisoning, was also taken to the hospital. Police officers said they found between 60 and 70 empty beer bottles and several empty liquor bottles in the home's basement. They are hoping the incident will serve as a lesson to parents and teens alike about the dangers and consequences of underage drinking. Source: Associated Press

Mobile Campaign vs. Drugs Underway

2009-05-25T21:43:00.000-07:00

Partnership for a Drug-Free America has announced its first-ever mobile public service campaign. It is joined by Ringleader Digital and marketing company Contagious.

"The campaign utilizes banner advertisements on targeted Web sites that drive to mobile ... sites where parents can sign up to access tips, tools, and advice from Partnership's Time to Talk program. Parents can also sign up to receive their first 'talk tip' via text message."

The websites and ads, which can be viewed on cell phones and personal digital assistants that have internet capability, give the Partnership an effective avenue through which to share its important message and information. Source: BusinessWire

Steroid Tests Don't Net Many Teens

2009-05-22T21:42:00.000-07:00

State testing programs that try to catch teenagers using steroids appear to be losing steam. Results from tests in four states found that just 18 tests out of more than 30,000 (one half of one percent) came back positive.

"Testing advocates argue that results from the four states show the program works as a deterrent. Critics say they show the flaws in how the tests were conducted. Either way, it's becoming harder amid a recession to justify spending up to $200 each on tests that rarely catch cheaters."

The programs were a response to the doping scandals that have plagued professional athletes in recent years. However, even proponents of the testing programs acknowledge the existence of flaws, such as the absence of testing during the summer months. Source: WFMY News2 (NC)

Letters Deliver Sobering Message for Parents who Host Underage Drinking Parties

2009-05-20T21:41:00.000-07:00

Parents and students from the Birmingham-Bloomfield, Michigan school district will gather together on Wednesday, March 25, to stuff and mail more than 4,000 letters. The letters are signed by local police chiefs and address the issues and consequences parents will face if they host underage drinking parties.

"The Birmingham Bloomfield Community Coalition is sponsoring the letter-writing campaign. This is the sixth year the coalition has participated with other Oakland County coalitions in sending this message to parents in their respective communities."

The letters will be addressed to parents of high school students that attend public and private schools in the district. They will also be mailed in police department envelopes, will remind parents of the legal ramifications for hosting underage parties, and will give parents tips for keeping their teens safe. Source: Birmingham (MI) Observer-Eccentric

Liquor Companies Aim Products at Youngsters

2009-05-18T21:36:00.000-07:00

Researchers from Dartmouth University found that liquor advertisements and products aimed at young people might be doing a good job of selling alcohol beverages to underage drinkers.

The study looked at 6,522 people ages 10 to 14, beginning in 2003, and then followed up on them every eight months. Many brought clothing with alcohol brands on them. About 64% owned T-shirts and 24% had hats with brand names. In 75% of the cases, the brand-name product was beer. Young people who owned such items were more likely to experiment with drinking.

This study appears in the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine.

Smoking During Pregnancy Linked to Behavioral Problems

2009-05-15T21:27:00.001-07:00

Smoking During Pregnancy Linked to Behavioral Problems

A study from the National Institute of Drug Abuse found that if a mother smoked during her pregnancy, her child was more likely to have behavioral problems if the child also had a certain gene variant.

Researchers at the Institute for Juvenile Research at the University of Illinois studied 176 young people, average age 15, and their mothers. If the gene variant was present and if the mother smoked during pregnancy, the child was more likely to be aggressive and violate rules. Girls tended to score high in perceiving hostility in other people.

About 16% of women smoke during pregnancy.

"This research provides a foundation for studies of the impact of interactions on brain development during pregnancy," said Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute of Drug Abuse.

Prescription Drug Dealers Arrested in Staten Island

2009-05-13T21:26:00.000-07:00

Twenty-three young people were arrested for forging prescriptions for painkillers in Staten Island, New York recently. The drug ring was responsible for putting 21,000 painkillers, most commonly Vicodin, OxyContin, and Xanax, in the hands of teenagers and young adults. Those arrested were in their early 20s.

Prescription drug abuse increased by 542% among teens ages 12 to 17 between 1992 and 2002. The majority get their drugs from family medicine cabinets.

Police in Staten Island said teens believe that prescription painkillers are not as dangerous as street drugs such as heroin. However, teens do not understand that they are just as addictive and that it is easy to overdose on them, especially when you combine them with alcohol, barbiturates, or benzodiazepines.

Kids With Married Parents at Lower Risk for Sex, Drugs

2009-05-11T21:25:00.000-07:00

Children whose parents live together but aren't married are more likely to engage in risky behaviors compared to children of married parents, according to a Canadian study.

Researchers at the Institute of Marriage and Family used data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth, checking on them at ages 6 to 11 and then again at ages 14 to 19. The ones who lived with unmarried parents were more likely to smoke, deal drugs, be sexually active, and have poor relationships with their parents. Almost half (49 percent) of the children ages 6 to 9 years old whose parents were unmarried lived with only one biological parent.

Married couples tended to be better educated, older, and more likely to be religious.

Inhalant Abuse on the Decline among Teens

2009-05-09T21:24:00.000-07:00

The number of teens who sniff glue, spray paint, and other inhalants in order to "get high" has gone down in the past few years, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. However, the number of teens experimenting with inhalants is about one million, or 3.9 percent of all teens. About 100,000 are dependent on inhalants.

These statistics are for the year 2007, and represent a decline from the period 2002 to 2007.

Sleep Disorder Drug Abused as Performance Enhancer

2009-05-07T21:20:00.000-07:00

A drug for sleep disorders is being used off-label by healthy people who think it improves their job or school performance. However, a new study shows that this drug, Modafinil, may be more additive and harmful than previously thought.

Scientists gave ten men 400 milligrams of Modafinil and then used brain scanning techniques to study its effect. The drug raised the men's dopamine levels in the same way methylphenidate (Ritalin) does, indicating that Modafinil has a potential for addiction. Modafinil is currently classified as a Schedule IV drug with low potential for abuse.

This study appeared in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Teen Meth, Pot Abuse on the Decline

2009-05-05T21:08:00.000-07:00

Teen Meth, Pot Abuse on the Decline

Teenagers are cutting back in their use of marijuana and methamphetamine, according to a study from the Partnership for a Drug-Free America. Methamphetamine use decreased by 25 percent since 2005, and is now used by three percent of teens. Marijuana use declined 24 percent since 1988.

The Partnership attributed the decline to more communication about drugs between parents and adolescents. The survey indicated that 37 percent of teens learn about drugs from their parents, and that group is 50 percent less likely to abuse drugs.

However, abuse of prescription and over-the-counter drugs such as cough syrups shows no decline. One in five teens or a projected 4.7 million said they tried these drugs at least once, and a projected 2.5 million used them in the past year.

"This risky behavior is still not in the parent's radar, many of whom don't realize that when abused or used without prescriptions, these medications are every bit as dangerous as illegal drugs," said Connie Berhost, an executive with a Missouri drug action center for teens.

Boston Researchers Find that Medical Training on Addiction Is Lacking

2009-05-03T21:04:00.000-07:00

Researchers from Boston Medical Center (BMC) have found that medical training lacks sufficient education on addiction, which is resulting in suboptimal medical care for individuals with addictive behaviors. The researchers found that a CRIT (Chief Resident Immersion Training program) in addiction is an effective way to disseminate needed information to medical staff. The chief resident takes information from this program and teaches it to residents through a "train-the-trainer" model.

Lead author of the study, Daniel P. Alford, MD, MPH, FACP, Associate Professor of Medicine at Boston University School of Medicine and director of Chief Resident Immersion Training in the Addiction Medicine Section of General Internal Medicine at BMC, commented: "Training chief residents who have a primary responsibility for educating medical trainees, appears to be one important pragmatic strategy to address the compelling need for better physician training in the identification and management of patients with addiction. ... This program effectively transferred evidence-based addiction knowledge and practice to 64 chief residents in generalist disciplines and more importantly, enhanced the addiction curriculum in 47 residency programs." (Sources: sciencedaily.com)

Prescription Drug Abuse on the Rise in California

2009-05-01T21:02:00.000-07:00

On December 16, 2007, 23-year-old Cyrus Moinzadeh overdosed on OxyContin and died. Moinzadeh was smart (spoke three languages) and well-liked, but spent time with a group of young people who frequently abused the drug. Of Cyrus' five closest friends from high school, three have died from drug overdoses. OxyContin, a chemical relative of heroin, is frequently prescribed as painkiller for back pain, cancer pain, bone fractures, and other severe injuries. Many teenagers obtain the drug over the Internet from unscrupulous companies in Canada and Mexico.

OxyContin is produced as a time-release tablet, so non-medical users will often smash up the pills to snort them or melt them to smoke (they will place the pills on foil and apply heat from underneath). Scott Henderson of the San Diego Police Department narcotics division advises parents to be aware of their teenagers' activities. Henderson recommends looking on teens' Facebook and MySpace pages, because that's commonly where they exchange information about getting drugs. Henderson also said to be on the lookout for the tinfoil used to smoke it since Oxy leaves black charred streaks. "If you're running out of tin foil and you don't make a lot of casseroles, I'm telling you right now something is amiss." (Source: www.delmartimes.com)

Betty Ford - First Lady and Founder of Famous Addiction Rehabilitation Center

2009-04-29T21:01:00.000-07:00

April 8, 2009 marks the 91st birthday of former first lady Betty Ford. With the founding of the Betty Ford Center in 1982, Betty Ford made a groundbreaking contribution to the treatment of addiction for women. Betty had many roles in her lifetime: model, dancer, first lady, feminist, and cancer survivor. But it was her experience battling and surviving her own addictions that led to her most memorable venture.

In April 1978, the year that her husband lost the presidential election to democratic candidate Jimmy Carter, Betty began losing her battle against substance addiction. Her family staged an intervention, and she was admitted to the U.S. Naval Hospital in Long Beach, California, for chemical dependency. During her treatment at the hospital, she first saw the need for a detoxification and treatment center that would offer services for each gender separately. In 1982, Betty joined with her friend Ambassador Leonard Firestone to co-found the nonprofit center. (Source: www.findingdulcinea.com)

Texas Public School District Wants to Drop "DARE" Program

2009-04-27T21:00:00.000-07:00

The Clear Creek public school district is proposing to drop its Drug Awareness and Resistance Education (DARE) program based on evidence that the program is ineffective at keeping kids off drugs. The proposal has created an outcry among district parents who support the decades-old curriculum. According to William Modzeleski, associate assistant deputy secretary for the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools (OSDFS), the number of schools that utilize DARE has decreased sharply since 2001, when the federal government pulled funding for the program after several studies indicated that the program wasn't working.

The DARE program is based on the concept of resistance training - teaching kids to say no to drugs. In recent years, however, some experts have argued that resistance training simply isn't sufficient to reach kids. Proponents of DARE say that the program is an important vehicle for getting information to kids.

James Dement, a Friendswood Police Department officer who has administered the DARE program for 10 years, believes the program makes a difference: ""Yes, there are going to be kids who use drugs no matter what you do, no matter what you tell them. ... Then, there are kids who have decided 'I'm never going to use drugs and that's it. I've decided.' But, it's the ones in between. At least you can get them that information, and they're going to make better decisions." (Source: galvestondailynews.com)

Maryland Teens Turn to Cheaper Drugs

2009-04-27T20:59:00.000-07:00

A recent study conducted in Frederick County, Maryland, shows that teens are less likely to use cigarettes, marijuana, cocaine, and heroin than they were three years ago. However, use of easily accessible drugs has increased. Alcohol remains the preferred intoxicant. Experts believe this is due, in part, to easy accessibility.

Brett Stark, Frederick County schools curriculum specialist for health and physical education, who coordinates drug prevention programs, commented, "Alcohol has appeared to be of the highest abuse for our students. ... It fits among the categories of drugs that are easily accessible."

In addition, a greater number of teens are using prescription drugs, which are also easily accessible. Seniors reported using barbiturates, narcotics, and Ritalin more than in 2004. Todd Crum, a prevention supervisor with the Frederick County Health Department, commented about this trend, "An increase in any substance is of concern ... due to their availability, prescription use is a concern. And when used in combination with other substances, the cause for concern becomes even greater. ... Not following the instructions on the label or using a medication not prescribed to the user can result in significant health concerns." (Sources: www.gazette.net)

New York High School Gives Away Home Drug Test Kits

2009-04-25T20:58:00.000-07:00

Comsewogue High School in Garden City, New York, is planning to give away home drug testing kits to parents as part of a substance abuse workshop. School officials have stated that distribution of the kits is part of a wider effort to curb teen substance abuse, but says it isn't encouraging parents to spy on their children.

Assistant Superintendent Joseph Rella commented, "We are not endorsing drug testing at home by making these kits available. ... Our philosophy is: Testing isn't treatment. If a parent suspects his child is involved with drug abuse, we recommend they see a medical professional."

The action has caused some controversy, as many experts believe that drug testing should be performed by professionals. Dr. Sharon Levy, director of the adolescent substance abuse program at Children's Hospital Boston, says that drug testing is more complex than collecting a urine sample and home test kits can be misleading: "You might be falsely reassured that your child has had a negative drug test. ... A one-time test tells you very little." (Source: www.newday.com)

Nicotine: More Than an Addiction

2009-04-23T20:58:00.000-07:00

A new study from Brown University indicates that nicotine is not only addictive, but it may also interfere with dozens of cellular interactions in the body. The study, which is published in the Journal of Proteone Research, shows that nicotine may affect the body more extensively than previously thought. Nicotine appears to impact cell communication throughout the mammalian nervous system, and "opens several new lines of investigation" for possible treatments of smoking addiction and disease.

The study analyzed the cellular processes of brain tissue in mice. In particular, researchers studied a receptor (the alpha-7 receptor) in the brain where nicotine bonds with the surface of the cells when it enters the body. Researchers compared cellular processes in the brains of mice with the receptor and in mice without, and found that 55 different proteins interacted with the alpha-7 receptor. This finding indicates that the alpha-7 receptor may have many more functions in the body than previously known, and that the presence of nicotine may negatively affect each of these functions. (Sources: www.miller-mccune.com)

Ritalin May Be Addictive

2009-04-21T22:51:00.000-07:00

Researchers at Rockefeller University have conducted a study with mice that indicates that Ritalin, a drug commonly prescribed to treat attention-deficit disorder (ADD/ADHD), may be addictive. Study findings suggest that long-term exposure to the drug could induce addiction because "Methylphenidate [Ritalin] and cocaine have similar chemical structures and their pharmacological effects appear to be similar," said study author Yong Kim, a senior research associate at The Rockefeller University. Long-term exposure to the drug appears to cause changes in neuronal morphology (the shape of neurons) and brain chemistry in the same way that cocaine does. (Sources: www.forbes.com)

April Is Alcohol Awareness Month

2009-04-18T20:56:00.000-07:00

The federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has designated April as Alcohol Awareness Month. The designation is an effort to recognize the serious problem of alcohol abuse in the United States, and raise awareness about the signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse.

According to SAMHSA, alcohol abuse affects Americans in many different demographics, including "college students who binge drink at local bars; pregnant women who drink and put their babies at risk for fetal alcohol syndrome; professionals who drink after a long day of work; and senior citizens who drink out of loneliness."

SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) indicates that in 2007, nearly one in four individuals age 12 and older participated in binge drinking at least once during the 30 days prior to the survey. This means that approximately 57.8 million people participated in this dangerous behavior. (Source: ncadi.samhsa.gov)

New York Town Uses Stickers to Raise Alcohol Awareness

2009-04-17T22:48:00.000-07:00

Medina, New York, is implementing a new program using orange stickers to help raise awareness of underage access to alcohol. Drug-Free Communities Coordinator, Kaitlin Smith for Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, explains the project: "Project Sticker Shock is a community awareness campaign intended to address youth access to alcohol and community norms that support not providing alcohol to minors. ... It is used to help remind store clerks, as well as adults purchasing alcohol, that providing alcohol to youth that are under the age of 21 is illegal. This project unites youth, alcohol retailers, teachers, parents, media and community members in striving for a common goal."

A small group of high school students and a teacher spent several hours this week visiting local alcohol retailers and applying over 3,000 stickers to alcoholic beverage containers. (Source: journalregister.com)

Ohio County Targets Parents who Host Underage Parties

2009-04-15T22:45:00.000-07:00

The Champaign County Drug-Free Youth Coalition is partnering with the state of Ohio's Drug-Free Action Alliance to launch a campaign that targets parents who host underage drinking parties. The "Parents Who Host Lose the Most: Don't be a party to teenage drinking" public awareness campaign is designed to provide parents with information about the health risks of underage drinking and the legal consequences of providing alcohol to youth. The program is funded in part by the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services. The campaign is timed to reach parents before prom and graduation parties.

Abby Cohn, director of the Champaign County Child and Family First Council, comments: "This time of year presents numerous opportunities for underage drinking. ... We want to make sure that members of our community make good choices in determining how to celebrate." (Sources: www.urbancitizen.com)

Colorado Company Reveals New Way to Test Teens for Drugs

2009-04-13T22:44:00.000-07:00

A Colorado company is marketing a new way to for parents to find out if teens are using drugs. The company has developed a "wipe and spray" method. A parent takes a test strip and wipes it on something commonly touched by the teenager; then a spray solution is applied to the strip. Results are ready within seconds, and the test is supposed to be 99 percent accurate.

Although the company believes the product can be useful to parents, president Troy Sievers says the key to testing your children for drugs is having an open relationship with them. "The key to drug testing and drug awareness and all the things we have to offer is communication between parents and their children," he said. "Because, without a good base of communication, nobody's gonna get what they need." (Source: www.kjct8.com)

South Dakota May Adopt Plan to Combat Doctor Shopping

2009-04-09T22:31:00.000-07:00

Physician and pharmacy groups in South Dakota are promoting a plan to establish a new electronic records system which will help prevent doctor shopping. Doctor shopping is when an individual who is addicted to a prescription drug sees doctor after to doctor to continually obtain new prescriptions. Doctor shopping is already illegal in South Dakota. The new law would authorize a central bank of records to enable doctors and pharmacists to know when a new patient may be shopping for prescriptions.

Barb Smith, chief executive officer of the South Dakota Medical Association, commented on the problem: "The problem right now is physicians don't have access to a patient's prescription history. ... The physician knows what he or she is prescribing but doesn't know if I'm seeing another physician." (Source: www.argusleader.com)