Berkeley City Council WORKSESSION June 4, 2013 To: From: Subject: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council Councilmember Laurie Capitelli Presentation: Ralph Cantor and Dr. Frank Lucido Negative Impacts of Alcohol and Marijuana Use on Adolescents SUMMARY: As a member of the COB/BUSD Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug (ATOD) Task Force, Councilmember Capitelli would like to raise awareness of the high levels of alcohol and marijuana use and abuse by Berkeley students and youth. BACKGROUND: The most recent California Healthy Kids Surveys from 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2012 provide ample evidence that Berkeley youth are using alcohol and marijuana at significant rates. (See attachment). The findings include: At least once in their life, of 11 th graders surveyed: 64% have used alcohol (compared to 66% of California youth) 56% have used marijuana (compared to 42% of California youth) In the last 30 days, of 11 th graders surveyed: 45% have used alcohol (compared to 42% of California youth) 37% have used marijuana in the last 30 days (compared to 24% of California youth) At least once in their life, of 11 th graders surveyed, 34% reported being high or drunk on school property Community environmental factors and social norms contribute to these high rates. Minors can easily obtain marijuana and alcohol; students see drug and alcohol use as being less harmful than smoking tobacco; and there is a common perception that our community is tolerant of use by minors. 2180 Milvia Street, Berkeley, CA 94704
The use and abuse of marijuana and alcohol by minors impairs a child s physical health, emotional development and academic success. Substance use and abuse is linked to other high-risk behaviors and can have devastating effects on families and the community as a whole. In 2008, in response to this alarming data, the City of Berkeley and the Berkeley Unified School District formed a partnership to jointly address Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug (ATOD) use and abuse among Berkeley s youth. The purpose of the Task Force has been to develop a comprehensive ATOD prevention work plan for the School District and the Berkeley community at large. In its 2010 Report, the Task Force issued 7 key prevention and intervention recommendations. (See attachment). This is a city-wide, cross-jurisdictional challenge. Successful implementation of these recommendations requires city and school district coordination and collaboration. City Council support will be essential to move this effort forward. It is expected that this work session will initiate a City Council discussion about prioritizing next steps. CONTACT PERSON Councilmember Laurie Capitelli, District 5 981-7150 ATTACHMENTS: 1. Joint Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Task Force Report and Recommendations, June 2010 2. California Healthy Kids Survey, Berkeley Unified Secondary 2011-2012 Key Findings 3. Presentation
Attachment 3 Ralph Cantor rjcantor@aol.com 510-653-9410 Marijuana Berkeley City Council June 4, 2013 What this talk is about! Why is the use of marijuana and alcohol with teens amongst the highest here??? Availability Perceived harm low Accepting or mixed message environment Polarization and biased views prevents learning Teen vs Adult brain and drug usage 1
Talk (continued) Potency 50 years of horticulture to 2013 Dopamine A powerful internal force Marijuana How does marijuana affect the brain (cannabinoid sites) and what is the recovery time Does marijuana affect learning? Is it addictive? What s a blunt and other blunt questions and answers The Wizard of Oz Berkeley USD Use, Perception and Availability In Last 30 Days 7th 9th 11 th Used Alcohol 9% 27% (33% ca) 45% Used Marijuana 5% 21% (21% ca) 37% NT 64% Easy or fairly 37% 63% 77% easy to obtain alcohol Perceived Harm Medium Easy or fairly 33% 73% 84% easy to obtain Perceived marijuana Harm Low 2
Adolescent Brain Adult Brain Adolescent (and Young Adult) Brain 3
Adult Brain Pruning & Mylenation USE IT OR LOSE IT Reading, sports, music, video games, x-box, hanging g out whatever a child/teen is doing these are the neural synapses that will be retained and those not worked get pruned away Those neural synapses that are consistently used get hardwired in through mylenation 4
Increased THC Potency Hippies 60 s 1-3% Cannabis Sativa Vietnam 5-10% Cannabis Indica Growing females 10-15% Sensimilla Horticulture of Northern California Indoor growing 15 20% Drive, motivation, the what s important filter 5
Developmental tasks Boredom/ Developing Interests Good times Stress Social Skills Academic Skills Answer the question Who am I? Get a Life! Where s your juice? What gets your interest? Where s your energy? Where do you feel your spirit? Mechanics, the Arts, People, Science What moves you? 6
Dopamine vs. Serotonin Dopamine produces a feeling of pleasure Serotonin produces a feeling of well being Difference between pleasure and happiness (short lived vs big picture) Developing skills, interest, relationships, meaning ( getting a life ) Resiliency The Brain and Cannabinoid Sites Nucleus Accumbens Hippocampus Cerebellum Or how we trick the brain 7
Hippocampus, say what? Retrieves relevant information Stores new info it deems relevant Cerebellum Controls internal and external Controls internal and external coordination 8
Be Like Glinda Bibliography / References Marijuana: What s a Parent to Believe? Tim Cermak 2003,Hazelden Uppers, Downers, All Arounders Darryl Inaba 1997, CNS Publications Alcohol: What s a Parent to Believe? Stephen Biddulph, 2004, Hazelden Alex Stalcup : New Leaf Treament Center NLTC.com 9
Contact Information Ralph Cantor (510) 653-9410 rjcantor@aol.comcom 10