PUBLIC HEALTH Youth and Marijuana: Be Part of the Solution

Transcription

1 PUBLIC HEALTH Youth and Marijuana: Be Part of the Solution July 27, 2017 Chris Urbina, MD, MPH Medical Officer City and County of Broomfield Kaleigh Becker, MPH Substance Abuse Prevention Educator

2 Goals for Tonight 1) Learn about adolescence and the developing brain 2) Share data on marijuana and current use in teens in Colorado 3) Understand our own views about marijuana use 4) Learn what you can do to make a difference

3 Adolescence A time of emotional intensity, social engagement and creativity, Daniel J. Siegel, MD in Brainstorm-the Essence of Adolescence, 2013 A time to move from dependence to interdependence A time from raw emotions to reflection to integration of thoughts, feelings and actions A time develop key connections in our brain that help us be successful throughout life Brain not fully developed until age 25

4 A Story You come home one day and smell the strong smell of marijuana. You are not sure if it is coming from your neighbor s house, the park across the street or from inside. You discover that your teenage son has been home because the kitchen is full of dirty dishes/cups, several containers are still open on the counter and the the television is on. You go downstairs and the door to his room is closed. What is your relationship with your son and his friends? You have not yet had the time to talk about marijuana. What do you do?

5 Trends to Monitor Marijuana Use Among High School Students in Colorado Healthy Kids Colorado Survey,

6 Trends to Monitor Fewer high school students in Broomfield and Boulder counties believe it s harmful to use marijuana. How much do you think people risk harming themselves (physically or in other ways) if they use marijuana regularly? In 2013, 56.8% responded moderate/great risk In 2015, 48.8% responded moderate/great risk Healthy Kids Colorado Survey,

7 Trends to Monitor Healthy Kids Colorado Survey, 2015

8 Health Impact and Consequences Used to alleviate symptoms of severe/chronic pain, intractable nausea and vomiting, some relief with chronic intractable seizures in children (other uses not evidence-based) Psychoactive high effects-euphoria, decrease in anxiety, alertness, depression and tensions Impairment in thinking, coordination (decrease in reaction time, attention and concentration), short term memory and judgement- affecting both school and work performance

9 Health Impact and Consequences Acute intoxication in children can result in severe neurologic effects of imbalance, behavior changes, learning difficulties, coma and respiratory depression. Acute intoxication in adolescents and adults-severe vomiting, agitation, respiratory problems, chest pain (myocardial infarction, pneumothorax and bronchospasm). paranoia and psychosis. Long term effects unknown-the adolescent brain does not fully develop until age 25, some experts believe early cannabis use a causal factor in developing schizophrenia. Not a gateway drug. As users increase age, income, education, positive interpersonal relationships with adults, they consume less marijuana. Total burden of disease still smaller compared to alcohol, tobacco, opioids and other drugs (except for acute intoxication in children and motor vehicle injuries).

10 Learn the Laws GoodtoKnowColorado.com You must be over 21 Use it on private property, not public space Federal land is under federal law Keep it in Colorado Don t drive high Keep it sealed in your car You can only buy and hold so much at a time Only buy from a licensed Colorado dispensary There s a limit to how much you can grow Don t share marijuana with those under 21 The Broomfield Municipal Code prohibits the operation of marijuana businesses

11 Developing Resilience in Children, Adolescents, Young Adults and Ourselves Resilience is the ability to bounce back when you have every reason to shut down-but you fight on! Resilient people have both tapped and untapped reserves, enabling them to overcome and thrive as they face setback, challenges, and fears of daily life Christian Moore, LCSW in Resiliency Breakthrough, 2014

12 Adults Can Help Reduce Risks Especially Youth Substance Use GoodtoKnowColorado.com SpeakNowColorado.org Talking and Listening to Adolescents Set the tone Start an open dialogue about what is going on in there lives Focus on positive messages Talking and Listening to Teens Keep conversations going Make your views, feelings and thoughts known Role play how to say no Talking and Listening to Young Adults Keep conversations going Stay connected Create safe, loving and trusting relationships Promote future goals and aspirations

13 Positive Youth Development Individuals Organizations Steps you can take to support youth: Suggestions of where youth can be involved: Let them know you see potential Promoting programs Listen Youth advisory boards Be authentic Curriculum selection committees Validate their thinking Let them make mistakes Providing technical assistance on youth culture Give accurate information Participating in research Be patient with yourself Boulder County Public Health

14 Resource for Teens IRiseAboveCO.org

15 Smart Colorado SmartColorado.org

16 ithrive IThriveGroups.org

17 Broomfield Communities That Care Broomfield is working to prevent substance use among youth through the Communities That Care initiative. The Broomfield Communities That Coalition is involved in: Assessing community strengths and risks Determining priorities Implementing substance abuse prevention strategies for youth

18 Broomfield Communities That Care Progress Formed an advisory board Formed an implementation committee Formed Data Workgroup, Resource Assessment Workgroup, Communications Workgroup, Community Engagement Workgroup Reviewed substance use data among youth and adults in Broomfield and our region, and contributing behaviors and attitudes Next Steps Reach out to you to hear about concerns related to substance use Identify initiatives and prevention programs already in place in Broomfield Implement prevention strategies for youth to fit the needs of Broomfield

19 Get Involved Sign up for the B in the Loop e-newsletter Sign up for the CTC Community Engagement Workgroup Sign up to participate in CTC s community listening sessions Attend B Healthy Speaker Series September 21: Let s Talk About Mental Health

20 Resource List Substance Use Prevention Rise Above Colorado, iriseaboveco.org Speak Now, speaknowcolorado.org Good to Know, goodtoknowcolorado.com Smart Colorado, smartcolorado.org Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment ithrive, ithrivegroups.org Call Colorado Crisis Services, coloradocrisisservices.org Call TALK (8255) or Text TALK to Behavioral Health Treatment Locator, findtreatment.samhsa.gov Call HELP (4357)

21 Resource List Brainstorm by Daniel J. Siegel, MD The Resilience Breakthrough by Christian Moore, LCSW

22 PUBLIC HEALTH Questions

23 PUBLIC HEALTH Contact Us Chris Urbina, MD, MPH Jason Vahling, MPH Kaleigh Becker, MPH