A Tool Kit Educating All Sectors of the Community about the Dangers of Youth Marijuana Use
Our Goals Today 1. Presentation of a PowerPoint that can be used to provide information to your Coalition It includes: -Data on Youth Marijuana Use and Perception of Risk -Negative Consequences of Youth Marijuana Use -Effects of Marijuana Legalization on Communities -Components of the Mobilizing Michigan-Protecting Our Kids from Marijuana Tool Kit
Our Goals Today 2. Coalition Team discussion about the Mobilizing Michigan Tool Kit and how your Coalition might use it. 3. Report Back on Coalition Team Discussion. Let s Learn from Each Other!
What Does the Data Tell Us About Youth Marijuana Use?
Marijuana is Among the Most Commonly Abused Substances by Teens (past 12 months) 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 MTF 2011 (categories are not mutually exclusive) Marijuana/hashish Synthetic Marijuana Vicodin Adderall OxyContin Sedatives Cocaine
Perception of Risk Monitoring the Future, 2012
Marijuana Use/Last 12 Months Monitoring the Future, 2012
Increased Access, Decreased Stigma, Increased Use Increased access and availability results in decreased perception of harm and increased use. Legalization has decreased marijuana s stigma as a harmful drug, creating a more favorable perception among youth. Rabin, R. C. (2013). Legalizing of marijuana raises health concerns. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/07/legalizing-of-marijuana-raises-health-concerns/
Macomb Schools Aggregate Summary Data 2012
90 80 70 60 Perception of Risk Macomb County MiPHY Aggregate Data, 2012 80.8 79.4 75.7 Perception of Risk - Marijuana 75.9 71.3 65.5 68.8 62.3 56.3 50 40 2008 2010 2012 30 20 10 0 7th 9th 11th Grade
Lifetime Marijuana Use Macomb County MiPHY Aggregate Data, 2012 50 45 40 Students Who Have Ever Tried Marijuana (Lifetime) 43.6 44 40.6 35 30 25 20 15 20.7 23.4 22.6 2008 2010 2012 10 5 0 2.2 2.6 2.5 7th 9th 11th Grade
30 Past 30 Day Use Marijuana Macomb County MiPHY Aggregate Data, 2012 Past 30-Day Use of Marijuana 25 22.5 24.8 25 22.6 2008 20 2010 15 10 11.9 14.1 12.8 2012 2011 Nat'l (12th gr) 5 1.8 2.2 1.9 0 7th 9th 11th Grade
Marijuana Why should we be concerned about our kids?
This is NOT the pot of the past. The potency of marijuana (concentration of THC) has more than doubled between 1993 and 2008. This increased potency may be a reason behind the surge in marijuana-related emergency room visits in recent years. Rabin, R. C. (2013). Legalizing of marijuana raises health concerns. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/07/legalizing-of-marijuana-raises-health-concerns/
Do Not Let Marijuana "Open the Door" Using alcohol, marijuana, and/or tobacco regularly, especially during the teen years, can open the door to the use of other drugs, including cocaine, heroin, (ecstasy, K2) and to prescription drug abuse during their lifetime. ONDCP
Marijuana IS Addictive The EARLIER marijuana use begins, the HIGHER the risk of drug abuse and addiction. NIH Sixty-two percent of teens in drug treatment are addicted to marijuana. ONDCP Each year, more teens enter treatment with a primary diagnosis of marijuana addiction than for all other illegal drugs combined. Partnership for a Drug-Free America
Marijuana, Memory, and the Hippocampus The hippocampus is the part of the brain that forms memories. Distribution of cannabinoid receptors in the rat brain. NIH The THC in marijuana negatively affects how the hippocampus processes information and forms memories. NIDA
Marijuana & the Brain: Results of a Recent Study Heavy marijuana use during the teen years can permanently lower intelligence (IQ) by as much as 8 points. The average score on tests that measure IQ is 100. An 8-point loss in a person s IQ, represents a decline in intelligence, ability to learn, to remember, and to problem solve. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Academic Performance Marijuana Use: Negatively affects learning A teen who uses is 4 times more likely to report D grades. SAMHSA Is linked to higher dropout rates A teenage marijuana user is 2 times more likely to drop out of school than a non-user. NIDA
Marijuana & Mental Health Marijuana use can worsen depression and has been associated with other serious mental health issues, e.g. schizophrenia and anxiety Weekly use of marijuana DOUBLES a teen s risk of depression and anxiety. NIDA
Marijuana & The Body Marijuana use can negatively affect: The Heart Increases heart rate 20 100% shortly after smoking. This could last up to 3 hours. 4.8x greater risk of heart attack in the first hour after smoking. NIDA
Marijuana & The Body Marijuana use can negatively affect: The Lungs Marijuana smoke contains 50 70% more cancer causing chemicals then tobacco smoke. Regular use can create respiratory problems (cough, phlegm, acute chest illnesses, greater risk of lung infection) over time. NIDA
Marijuana & Driving According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, drivers who tested positive for marijuana in fatal car crashes DOUBLED between 2006 and 2010. Marijuana is the most prevalent illegal drug detected in impaired drivers, fatally injured drivers, and motor vehicle crash victims.
Marijuana & Employment Many companies, industries, and professions require drug testing to be hired and/or drug testing while employed. Job applications often ask if someone has ever been arrested or convicted of a crime, including drug offenses. 6.6% of the high school seniors that already smoke marijuana on a daily basis would fail a pre-employment drug test.
Marijuana & Youth Nora Volkow, M.D. Director, National Institute of Drug Abuse Regular marijuana use in adolescence is known to be part of a cluster of behaviors that can produce enduring detrimental effects and alter the trajectory of a young person s life thwarting his or her potential. Beyond potentially lowering IQ, teen marijuana use is linked to school dropout, other drug use, mental health problems, etc.
Marijuana & Youth Nora Volkow, M.D., Director, National Institute of Drug Abuse Given the current number of regular marijuana users (about 1 in 15 high school seniors) and the possibility of this number increasing with marijuana legalization, we cannot afford to divert our focus from the central point: regular marijuana use stands to jeopardize a young person s chances of success in school and in life.
Effects of the Normalization and Legalization of Marijuana
Diminishing Perception as a Harmful Drug Due to recent legalization efforts, marijuana s stigma as a harmful drug is diminishing, creating a more favorable perception among youth. Rabin, R. C. (2013). Legalizing of marijuana raises health concerns. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/07/legalizing-of-marijuana-raises-health-concerns/
Marijuana What kind of community do we want for our kids?
A Snap Shot States that have legalized medical marijuana have double the rates of youth marijuana use. There are an estimated 1000 marijuana shops in the city of Los Angeles. There are now more medical marijuana dispensaries in California and Denver, CO than Starbucks. The Partnership at Drugfree.org. (2013). CADCA
Crime Marijuana dispensaries lead to increased crime. Since most are cash only businesses, they tend to attract crime. Dispensaries often are tied to criminal organizations and deal with other issues like guns and other drugs. Dispensaries rarely have legitimate physicians available. Increase in home invasions because employment is down. CADCA
Marijuana Vending Machines Some states that have legalized marijuana for medical uses have vending machines that dispense marijuana to those with a prescription with a fingerprint identification process. Medbox, a California-based company, wants to sell vending machines to dispense recreational marijuana in Colorado and Washington, where it was legalized for recreational use in November, 2012. NewsOne. (2013). Marijuana Vending Machines Heading to Washington & Colorado? Retrieved from http://newsone.com/2123672/marijuana-vending-machines-heading-to-washington-colorado/ Black, J. (2013). Recreational marijuana users could get pot from vending machines, company says. NBC News. Retrieved from http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/01/03/16327561- recreational-marijuana-users-could-get-pot-from-vending-machines-companysays?lite
Cashing in on The Green Rush Marijuana is big business in the United States, with pot barons reaping millions. Dokoupil, T. (2012). The new pot barons: Businessmen bank on marijuana. Newsweek. Retrieved from http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2012/10/21/will-pot-barons-cash-in-on-legalization.html
Drug Use - The Cost to Society Total overall cost of substance abuse in the U.S. (productivity, health, and crime-related costs) exceeds $600 billion annually. o o o $235 Billion for Alcohol $193 billion for tobacco $181 billion for illicit drugs Fed and state alcohol taxes raise $14.5 billion, covering only about 6% of the total cost to society. Fed and state tobacco taxes raise $25 billion, covering only about 13% of cost to society. CADCA Where do you think we are heading with marijuana?
What are we up against in 2013? NORML, a pro marijuana group admits to: o already attempting to shape legislative initiatives at both state and federal levels for marijuana reformers. o introduced new legislation in other states They state, It is very likely (at the) top of federal legislation coming down the pipeline, nearly two dozen marijuana reform measures will also be introduced across the country in various states. NORML will be providing people with Action Alerts
Marijuana & Our Kids We are on our way to a generation of kids who could start using marijuana because they simply don t think it has any risk. Parents and the community needs to understand that marijuana is a real part of their children s environment. Steve Pasierb, President and CEO, Drugfree.org
A Tool Kit Educating All Community Sectors on the Dangers of Youth Marijuana Use
How to Get the Word Out about the Dangers of Marijuana for Our Kids? Keep messages simple Base messages on scientific fact Be consistent with our messages CADCA
PowerPoint for Members of Community Coalitions PowerPoint to Educate the Community on the Issues Curriculum for High School Health Classes and Youth Groups (PowerPoint with Video) PSA on the Dangers of Marijuana Use by Youth (Target: Youth & Adults) Fact Sheet Youth and Marijuana (Target: Adults & Youth)
Talking Points for Parents Two Postcard Mailers/Handouts for Parents Information with Graphics for Facebook & Twitter Information for Letters to the Editor & Social Media (Tips & Samples) Informational Packet for Elected Officials on the Dangers of Youth Marijuana Use Marijuana Town Hall Meeting Planning Guide & Agenda Template
Coalition Discussion What can we do as a coalition? Which pieces of the tool kit will work best to spread the message in our community? Who will be responsible and in what time frame?
Please send a quick email to Chippewa Valley Coalition for Youth and Families (info@cvcoalition.org) as your coalition uses this tool kit. We are very interested in your progress. Thank You! http://cvcoalition.org/
Join Us! Next MPN Meeting Wednesday, March 20, 2013 1 to 3 pm MISD Tool Kits will be distributed.