Substance Abuse Workshop:

February 22, 2007

Presenters:

Beth Kane Davidson, Director of Addictions Treatment, Suburban Hospital

Mimi Fleury, President and Co-Founder of the Community of Concern

Research:

-In 1978, the average age of a patient in drug and alcohol rehab was 55 years old

Today, the average age is 15. The average age for boys to start drinking: 12 years old, Girls: 13 years old, age of binge drinking-15 years old

-Research shows that the earlier people begin drinking, the chance to have a problem with alcohol later in life increases.

-At Suburban Hospital, there are cases of alcohol poisoning every single weekend.

-18-24 year olds have the highest prevalence of alcoholism

-Research now shows that young brains continue developing into the mid-twenties.

-Alcohol use and abuse can cause young brains to struggle with executive functions such as: memory, decision-making, judgment, impulse control and overall learning.

-Because young brains are still developing, they are vulnerable. In fact, young brains are not more resilient than adults, but rather, are more sensitive.

-THC, the main ingredient in marijuana, can stay in the body up to 8 days.

-Teens can become addicted to nicotine in one day.

-47% of people who drank before age 14 met the criteria for alcohol dependence at some point in their lifetime.

-Only 9% who waited until age 21 met the criteria.

What Are Kids Up Against?

Marketing:

-Advertising targets youth and can be found in magazines and TV commercials.

-Alcopops is a term used to describe alcoholic beverages that are sweet, fruity and mask the taste of alcohol.

-Alcopops are designed to look like popular non-alcoholic drinks such as Orangina, lemonade and energy drinks, such as Red Bull.

Some alcopops include:

-Mike’s Hard Berry and or Mike’s Hard Lemonade (5% alcohol)

-Hooch (over 3% alcohol)

-Tilt (6.6% alcohol)

-Zippers

-Zippers are small cups with foil covers. They look very similar to snack size packages of apple sauce and or Jell-O. Each zipper contains the equivalent of a shot of hard liquor.

- Rolling papers are colorful and have pictures that appeal to children.

-“Blunts” used for smoking marijuana come in a variety of flavors including strawberry, sour apple and bubble gum.

-Instructions of how to “roll a blunt” can be found on the Internet.

How do kids get alcohol and drugs?

-Stores in the area carry alcopops and cashiers do not always enforce the laws in the ways they should.

-Alcohol is not expensive. Children can pool their money and buy a case of beer or more. A “forty” of beer (oversized bottle) costs only $1.50.

-Older siblings will often get alcohol for their younger siblings.

-Children will take alcohol from their own homes.

-Children drink at family functions and/or celebrations.

What Can Parents Do?

In a renowned survey, children who had trouble with alcohol use and abuse were asked, “What do you wish your parents had done?”

Response: Help

-Those surveyed would like parents to search their room, go to a counselor, and/or intervene in some way.

-Be parents first, not pals. Ask lots of questions: Where are you going?’ Who will be there? When will you be home? How can I reach you?

-Call your child’s friends’ parents and make sure they will be supervising if children will be in their home.

-Sleepovers should be discouraged. Parents often go to sleep and children engage in risk taking behavior late at night.

-Role modeling-are drinks being served and/or consumed at every family function?

-Communicate with your child often. Be consistent with your expectations and consequences for unacceptable behavior.

-Have a code word so that your child can have an “out” if they are in an uncomfortable situation.

-Make sure your child understands that being at a party where alcohol is present and not participating in drinking is not enough. Those who are underage can still face legal action simply by being present.

-Parents should educate themselves about the impact of pre-teen and teen alcohol use and abuse

-Visit www.thecommunityofconcern.org

The web site offers an e-course that many parents are finding to be helpful.

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