TALKING TO KIDS ABOUT SUBSTANCE ABUSE

TALKING TO KIDS ABOUT SUBSTANCE ABUSE

"Just Say No" May Not be Enough"

It’s not enough to tell our children "don’t." Every child will be tested by drugs. Every child will be called on to make the decision to take or not take drugs. It’s simply not reasonable to think your child can remain shielded from such "elements." Your challenge as a parent is to prepare your child to recognize, understand and deal with all the social, physical and other complications that can arise from the decision she makes.

Today’s drugs are more potent and cheaper than ever. One of the most powerfully addictive drugs, "crack" (a form of cocaine), can be had for as little as $10. That’s well within the reach of many school-age children. Even today’s marijuana is stronger than the "harmless" weed of the 60s. The prevalence and power of illicit drugs will force every child to make personal decisions about drug use.

As a parent you’ve got to decide that drug abuse is unacceptable and you must commit to keeping your child healthy by helping her to avoid drugs. Of course there must be help available to parents who need treatment for a child already into drugs, but the preferred way is to prevent drugs abuse. And preventing your child from being drawn into the seductive and greedy world of drug abuse-can be difficult. But a healthy child will be your reward.

We must work to see that drugs aren’t tolerated in our homes, our schools or our communities. Because of drugs, children are failing, suffering and dying. We have to get tough and we have to do it now.

Drugs Are Available to Teens

Most young people start with cigarettes, alcohol and marijuana before progressing to the "harder" drugs.
Between the ages of 12 and 14, every American teen is faced with the choice of whether or not to use drugs.
Nearly 60 percent of all high school seniors surveyed have smoked marijuana; about 5 percent smoke it daily.
Today’s marijuana is about 14 to 20 times stronger than marijuana used in the '60s.
More than 6 percent of students in grammar school report smoking marijuana at least once.
Alcohol-related traffic accidents account for more than 25,000 deaths annually.
8,000 teenagers die in alcohol-related traffic accidents every year, another 40,000 are injured.
A child will see alcohol consumed on TV an average of 75,000 times before he or she reaches drinking age.
Almost 500,000 children ages 10 to 13 reported getting drunk at least once last year.
In 1985, only 9 percent of teens had used cocaine. By 1986 that figure was up to 16 percent.
Cocaine is getting cheaper to buy. A teen or can buy 10 doses for $80.
Most drug abusers become multi-drug users, combining cocaine, alcohol and marijuana in an effort to intensify one drug’s effects or to decrease the "down" effects of a drugs.
One in five high school students (18 percent) take pills.

Why Do Kids Take Drugs?

To be part of the "group"
To feel more grown up
To rebel against parents or society
To reduce inhibitions
To escape problems
To "socialize" with others
Because "everyone’s doing it"
To experience what "everyone else is doing"
To experiment with new things
To gain attention

The High-Risk Kid

Some children have behavioral or emotional problems that predispose them to drug use. And whether these problems surface in drug abuse or suicidal tendencies, the root of the problem is low self-esteem.

The child with low self-esteem craves social acceptance and is a prime candidate for the drug culture.

Many drug prevention programs aim at raising self-esteem and helping the child learn to respect himself and his body.

Genetic predisposition to drug abuse?

If there is alcoholism or drug abuse in the family your child is at high risk of becoming a drug addict.

Signs of Trouble

You should know what to look for in the way of changes in your child to detect drug abuse as early as possible. You don’t have to turn yourself into an undercover narcotics officer, you just have to observe your own child.

TROUBLE…………

Changes in work or school attendance, quality of work, work output, grades, discipline.

Unusual flare-ups or outbreaks of temper.

Withdrawal from responsibility.

General changes in overall attitude.

Deterioration of physical appearance or grooming.

Wearing of sunglasses at inappropriate times.

Continual wearing of long-sleeved garments perhaps to hid injection sites.

Association with drug users.

Turning away from former friends and activities.

Stealing from family, employer, and school.

Secretive behavior involving friends, phone calls, activities and whereabouts.

Reduced motivation, self-discipline, self-esteem.

Possession of large amounts of money or new, expensive items.

Greater susceptibility to colds, flu, etc.

Use of drug paraphernalia, catalogs, T-shirts, belt buckles, slogans, etc.

Each drug type also can have specific signs of abuse, but the list above can apply to most drugs used.

One of the biggest threats to children in our geographic area is crack cocaine. Here are facts about crack.

WHAT IT IS:

Names: Crack, rock, "ready rock," "french fries" (three-inch sticks).

Type: Central nervous system stimulants.

Form: Dried chunk or shaving of cocaine combined with baking soda or ammonia in water. A freebase form less pure than freebase prepared with ether.

Usage: Smoked as a vapor

Legal Forms: Leaf of coca bush (ritual form). White crystalline powder or lump ("rock") as cocaine hydrochloride.

Vapor as cocaine freebase.

Solution diluted in water.

For medicinal purposes, used in solution as a surface anesthesia.

Combinations: With heroin, "dynamite," "speedball" or "whiz-bang." With morphine, also "whiz-bang."

WHAT IT FEELS LIKE

Immediate and overwhelming high or euphoria lasting three to five minutes, followed by intense low with depression, worry, inability to concentrate.

WHAT IT DOES

To Your Mind: Stimulates intense alertness and excitement.

To Your Body: Speeds up all systems, increasing heart rate and blood pressure, constricts blood vessels, alters breathing, creates dry mouth, dilates pupils, exaggerates movements.

Special Characteristics: Increased risk of overdose due to uncontrollable, higher concentration in blood-stream. Increased risk of heart failure in otherwise healthy users. Severe breathing and lung effects. Liver damage, malnutrition, over stimulation of all body systems, destruction of brain neurotransmitters.

HOW IT CAN HURT YOU

Shaking, muscle twitches seizures, severe anxiety, and compulsive repetition of actions with no meaning. Paranoia, psychosis, heart related effects, nausea and vomiting, changes in breathing, increase in body temperature. Cold sweat, dramatic mood swings, hallucinations, sensation of insects crawling under skin and other continuing psychotic effects. Eating and sleeping disorders impaired sexual performance. Extreme social problems can develop from irritability, depression and financial difficulties.

Death from overdose is common, as are suicide, homicide and fatal accidents while under the influence. Snorting can be fatal in itself. Breathing is often stopped when combined doses of cocaine and heroin are taken. Lethal doses vary by individual and are not predictable.

Dependence occurs as a psychological craving and physical withdrawal process. Unlike other drugs, intense psychological dependence is developed with even occasional low doses.

Street purchases are commonly substitute or diluted drugs. The unsuspecting buyer risks having no knowledge of what he or she is taking or what the effects may be.

WHEN TO GET HELP

Do you use crack?
Do you use it in the morning or at regular intervals?
Do you think about crack often?
Do you lie about how much you use?
Are you spending more on crack than you can afford?
Are you having problems at work, school, with family and friends?

One "yes" and your common sense knows it’s time to get smart about drugs and the rest of your life.

Fact: Cocaine may be the most addictive drug of all for everyone.

The Civilian Employee Assistance Program Counseling and Referral Service (CEAP C/RS) can help with a wide range of personal problems-martial, family, stress-related, emotional and alcohol/drug. Call 202/433-0087 or 1-800-995-9791 for help.

[back to newsletter archive article list]