Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs: A Community Concern Chapter 12
Introduction Use, misuse, and abuse of mind-altering substances predates recorded history Chronic alcohol and other drug abuse or dependence is regarded as destructive behavior in most cultures Affects individuals and the surrounding community (Everything you do affects those around you.)
Consequences of Drug Abuse
Violence Associated with Drug and Alcohol Use
Scope of the Current Drug Problem More deaths, illnesses, and disabilities can be attributed to substance abuse than any other preventable health condition Economic costs include direct costs (health care, premature death, impaired productivity) and indirect costs (crime and law enforcement, courts, jails, social work) Those abusing are threats to themselves, their families, and their communities
Drug Psychoactive drugs Drug use Drug misuse Drug abuse Drug dependence Definitions
Drug: Cont A substance, other than food or vitamins, that alters one s physical, mental, or emotional state. Psychoactive drugs: Drugs that alter sensory perceptions, mood, thought process, or behavior.
Drug use: Cont Drug-taking behavior Drug misuse: Inappropriate use o legally purchased prescriptions or non prescriptions. (exp. Aspirin, antiobitics) Drug abuse: Example: when one takes a prescription drug for a purpose other than it is prescribed for.
Cont Drug (chemical) dependence: When a user feels that a particular drug is necessary for normal functioning. May experience a strong emotional desire to continue use of the drug even though clinical signs of physical illness may no appear.
Factors that Contribute to Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Abuse Risk factors factors that increase the probability of drug use Protective factors factors that lower the probability of drug use Both can be genetic or environmental Studies conclude that inherited traits can increase one s risk of developing dependence on alcohol.
Genetic http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=uwnntyl6rvs 1.45 minutes
Personal factors Environmental Risk Factors Impulsiveness, depressive moods, & susceptibility to stress Home and family life Learned behavior Family dynamics Quality of parenting Loss of self esteem Family attitudes toward alcohol and drug use
Risk Factors School and peer groups Studies show that perceived support of drinking by peers is the single most important factor in an adolescent s choice to drink. (peer pressure) Sociocultural environment Living in the inner city Physical decay Threats of personal safety
What do you think? Do you feel that your family up-bringing has an influence on whether you drink alcohol or not? What are some reason you or your friends drink?
Types of Drugs Abused and Resulting Legal drugs Problems Alcohol, nicotine, nonprescription (over-thecounter) drugs, prescription drugs Illegal (illicit) drugs and controlled substances Marijuana, narcotics, cocaine and crack cocaine, hallucinogens, stimulants, depressants, club drugs and designer drugs, anabolic drugs, inhalants
Legal Drugs Can be legally bought and sold in the marketplace Includes drugs that can be closely regulated, likely regulated, and not regulated at all What are some drugs that you know of that are being sold for drug use?
Alcohol Is the #1 drug problem in the United States. http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=vkpz7xftwjo
Alcohol Binge drinking- 5 or more drinks on a single occasion. Underage drinking younger than 21-71.9% of high school seniors reported having drunk alcohol. Problem drinkers results in medical or social problems Alcoholism- impaired control over drinking. Cost of alcohol abuse - $740 for every man, woman, and child.
Cont Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) the percentage of concentration of alcohol in the blood. 0.08% FAS Fetal alcohol syndrome Alcohol is the #1 Rape drug. 90% of college women who are raped know their assailants. Let s play Drinking and driving
Over the Counter Drugs (OTCs) Legal drugs other than alcohol and tobacco that can be purchased without a physician s prescription Carefully regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Most only provide symptomatic relief, not a cure Subject to misuse and abuse
Prescription Drugs Can be purchased only with a physician s prescription because they have serious side effects for some people Regulated by the FDA Over 4,000 prescription drugs available Subject to misuse and abuse Risk of dependence Risk of unintentional overdose
Marijuana Products derived from hemp plant Most abused illicit drug in the U.S. Acute effects reduced concentration, slowed reaction time, impaired short term memory, impaired judgment Chronic effects damage to the respiratory system (if smoked), amotivational syndrome
Narcotics Opium and its derivatives, morphine and heroin, come from an oriental poppy plant Narcotics numb the senses and reduce pain High potential for abuse Opium poppies do not grow in U.S.; drug trafficking problems Heroin addiction leads to significant community health problems
Poppy Plant Opium was known to ancient Greek and Roman physicians as a powerful pain reliever. It was also used to induce sleep and to give relief to the bowels.
Cont Afghanistan is the world s largest producer of heroin. Most of its supply makes its way into Russia and Western Europe with smaller amounts traveling to Australia and Africa.
Cocaine and Crack Cocaine Cocaine is the psychoactive ingredient in the leaves of the coca plant Powerful and addictive euphoriant/stimulant Purified forms salt (white powder), dried paste (crack) Street Names Coke, crack, C, okey dokey, nose, charlie, nose candy, big C, blow, marching powder, snow, white lady, toot, ceci, candi, star dust
Cocaine Coca plant - grows in the Andes Mountains of South America Pure cocaine was first isolated in the 1880s and used as a local anesthetic in eye surgery. It was particulary useful in surgery of the nose and throat because of its ability to provide anesthesia as well as to constrict blood vessels and limit bleeding.
Hallucinogens Produce illusions, hallucinations, changes in perceptions These effects are due to the phenomenon known as Synesthesia mixing of the senses Both naturally derived and synthetic Mescaline from the peyote cactus Psilocin, from the psilocybe mushroom LSD Synthetic drug
Stimulants Drugs that increase the activity of the central nervous system Amphetamines Schedule II prescription drugs; widely abused Methamphetamines often made in clandestine labs (also known as crystal, crank, speed, go fast, or just meth)
Depressants Slow down the central nervous system May lower anxiety and inhibitions Tolerance develops Strong physical dependence Alcohol, barbiturates, benzodiazapines http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=- XZPRKDqsqU
Club Drugs and Designer Drugs Illicit drugs are Primarily synthetic. Include MDMA (ecstasy), ketamine, GHB, GBL, LSD, PCP, Rohypnol (date rape drug) Designer Drugs drugs that are synthesized by amateur chemists in secret labs. By changing the design of their drugs, they stay one step ahead of the law.
Protein-building drugs Anabolic Drugs Anabolic/androgenic steroids, testosterone, human growth hormone Have some legitimate medical uses Sometimes abused by athletes and body builders Acute and chronic side effects
Elements of Prevention Education Treatment Public policy Law enforcement Education and treatment goals same: Reduce demand for drugs Public policy and law enforcement goals same: Reduce supply and availability of drugs
Federal Drug Control Spending
Federal Agencies and Programs Office of National Drug Control Policy Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) National Institute on Drug Abuse Department of Homeland Security Department of Justice Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF)
Nongovernmental Drug Prevention and Control Agencies and Programs Community-based drug education programs School-based drug education programs DARE, student assistance programs, peer counseling programs Workplace-based drug education programs Employee assistance programs Voluntary health agencies
Discussion Questions How can risk factors for drug abuse be utilized to aide in drug abuse prevention? How should federal, state, and local funds be used to successfully deal with drug abuse problems?