ARE YOU HAVING TOO MUCH FUN? Partnership for Health Substance - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

ARE YOU HAVING TOO MUCH FUN? Partnership for Health Substance Abuse Action Team

PEOPLE MISUSE DRUGS FOR MANY DIFFERENT REASONS • Get feeling of euphoria • Relieve emotional and physical pain • Be sociable • Peer pressure • Curiosity • Stress

HUNTERDON COUNTY QUICK FACTS Substance Use Hunterdon NJ Binge Drinking 1 29.3% 25.5% Current Marijuana Users 2 5.9% 4.8% Heroin Abuse Treatment Admission, Hunterdon County 3 2008 2012 Number Percentage Number Percentage (%) (%) 190 20.7 293 29.1

PROBLEM CUTS ACROSS AGE AND EMPLOYMENT STATUS • Among those admitted for Substance Abuse Treatment 4 : – 19% unemployed – 36% student or not in the labor force – 44% employed full or part-time – 18% are 18-21 years old – 18% are 45-54 years old

FOCUS AREAS OF THE SUBSTANCE ABUSE ACTION TEAM 1. Heroin use and opiate abuse among young adults (18-29 years old) 2. Substance abuse and misuse among older adults (55 years and over)

NEGATIVE HEALTH OUTCOMES AND PUBLIC HEALTH PROBLEMS • Cardiovascular conditions • Pregnancy complications • HIV/AIDS • Sexually Transmitted Infection • Domestic violence • Child abuse • Motor vehicle crashes • Homicide • Suicide

ALCOHOL • Legal for individuals 21 years and older • Socially accepted. Used in social gatherings, can help one relax and ease the nerves • Moderate drinking is 1 drink/day for women and 2 drinks/day for men 5 12 fl oz (355 mL) of beer or wine cooler 5 fl oz (148 mL) of wine One mixed drink with 1.5 fl oz (44mL) of 80-proof liquor (e.g. vodka, gin, scotch, bourbon, brandy, rum

ALCOHOL • A depressant – Affects mood, emotions, brain function • Most widely used and abused drug in the US 6 • People may not be aware of the onset of addiction/dependence • As potent as many illegal drugs • Can be dangerous when mixed with other drugs • Alcoholism is a TREATABLE illness

ALCOHOL EFFECTS Alcohol CAN result in numerous health problems: • Chronic medical conditions (e.g. liver cirrhosis, pancreatitis, various cancers) • Aggravate existing conditions • Interfere with use of medications • Unintentional injuries and violence • Alcohol abuse or dependence • Coma and death

“One simple phone call can save a life” Call 9-1-1 9-1-1 Lifeline Legislation • Any underage person who calls 9-1-1 to get help for someone who is also underage and may be showing signs of alcohol poisoning , will be immune from prosecution for underage drinking • Applies to public and private property

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS THAT YOU OR YOUR LOVED ONE HAS A PROBLEM • Failure to fulfill major responsibilities at work, school, or home • Drinking in dangerous situations (e.g. driving, taking care of a child, operating heavy machinery) • Legal problems related to alcohol • Continued drinking despite ongoing relationship problems that are caused or worsened by drinking • Strong craving for alcohol • Inability to limit drinking

MARIJUANA • Slangs: weed, pot, grass, joint, ganja • Methods of ingestion: – smoked, capsules, vaporization, cooked into favorite recipe or candies, mixed in a drink, suppositories • Most commonly used ILLEGAL drug in the US 7 • Medical marijuana is legal in some states, under physician supervision • Kids can purchase them via phone

MARIJUANA, IT’S NOT WHAT IT USED TO BE • THC, the primary active ingredient in marijuana, is a mind-altering substance • Marijuana can be laced with other dangerous and toxic drugs (heroin, cocaine, PCP, embalming fluid) • A depressant, stimulant and can also be a hallucinogen • Can cause cancer. One joint affects the lungs 4 times as much as a cigarette 8 • Can lead to a serious addiction

MARIJUANA RISKS/EFFECTS • Recreational marijuana use is ILLEGAL in NJ • Impair driving motor skills • Affects judgment, perception and concentration • Using at a young age is linked to mental health issues – schizophrenia, loss of IQ 9 • Frequent respiratory infections • Insomnia, paranoia, anxiety • Addiction • Cancer

MARIJUANA: KNOW THE SIGNS • Seeming dizzy and having trouble walking • Having a hard time remembering things that just happened • Acting disinterested in school, family or activities he or she used to enjoy • Acting silly for no apparent reason. May appear animated with rapid, loud talking and bursts of laughter • May have distortion of perception and hallucinations

HEROIN/OPIATES • Opiates (Percocet, Oxycodone, Codeine) are used medically • Cause sedation or euphoria • Methods of ingestion: snorting or sniffing, smoking, IV, suppository • Sold as white, off-white or brown powder, or sticky black substance • Comes in small packets • Easily obtainable

HEROIN/OPIATES • More addictive than morphine • Develop high tolerance – need to use more to feel the same high • Heroin is frequently mixed with other dangerous substances, making it lethal • Can be hazardous to mix opiates with other drugs • Impairs ability to drive • Overdose can cause death • Prescription drugs are easily addictive – MUST USE WITH CAUTION AND SUPERVISION • Prescription drugs can lead to heroin use as heroin is a cheaper alternative

HEROIN/OPIATES: RISKS/EFFECTS • HIV, Hepatitis C • Loss of bone and teeth • Severe acne • Nerve damage • Painful withdrawal • Overdose • Death

HEROIN/OPIATES: KNOW THE SIGNS • Scars or “tracks” on the arms or on the backs of hands • Changes in energy level throughout the day • Flu-like symptoms when in withdrawal – Body aches, runny nose • Diarrhea and vomiting • Change in appetite • Constantly asking for money

NEW JERSEY OVERDOSE PREVENTION ACT • An individual can call 9-1-1 to report a drug overdose without the fear of being arrested and prosecuted for drug possession • Protects the person making the call and the person who has overdosed

PREVENT RX DRUG ADDICTION • TAKE MEDICATION CAUTIOUSLY • Dispose of unused/expired medication in a permanent prescription drop-off box. • Do NOT flush unused medications down toilet. • Do NOT pour unused medications down a sink or drain. • Find a drop-off box location near you at www.safecoalition.org. Hit Rx button.

TOBACCO • Smoking Tobacco remains the leading cause of preventable death and has negative health impacts on people at all stages of life 10 • Tobacco dependence is a chronic condition that often requires repeated intervention. • Counseling plus the use of medications (Rx and OTC) is more effective than either alone and should be encouraged for all who are willing to make a quit attempt.

TOBACCO CESSATION RESOURCES • Check with your insurance provider to see what counseling and medications may be covered for tobacco cessation. • HMC: www.hunterdonhealthcare.org under the heart and vascular services • New Jersey Quitline: (866) 657-8677 or http://njquitline.org • Quitnet: http://www.nj.quitnet.com • Mom’s Quit Connection: (888) 545 -5191 or www.snjpc.org

SUMMARY • All drugs – whether licit or illicit, prescribed or from street sources – have the potential to harm the user and can be abused • HELP is available – Anderson House – Daytop Village of NJ – Hunterdon Medical Center – Hunterdon Behavioral Health – Safe Communities Coalition – Hunterdon Drug Awareness Program

CONCERNS OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE OR DEPENDENCE • Change in usual behavior • Use creates problems for user or others (family, school, work, social lives) • Use in inappropriate and dangerous situations • Use to cope with problems and unpleasant feelings • Performs acts they would never do while not using • Unable to control use • Increased tolerance requiring larger amounts • Use of opiates beyond original prescribed intent • Sleep a lot • Moody • Gain or lose weight

C.A.G.E QUESTIONS 1. Have you ever felt you ought to CUT DOWN on your drinking or drug use? 2. Have people ANNOYED you by criticizing your drinking or drug use? 3. Have you felt bad or GUILTY about your drinking or drug use? 4.Have you ever had a drink or used drugs first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover ( EYE OPENER )? * A “Yes” answer to any of these 4 questions, is a potential indication of alcohol or drug problems.

THANK YOU! PARTNERSHIP FOR HEALTH & THE SUBSTANCE ABUSE ACTION TEAM

SUBSTANCE ABUSE ACTION TEAM Anderson House Daytop Village Outpatient of Hunterdon County Department of Human Services Hunterdon County Division of Health Hunterdon Behavioral Health Hunterdon Regional Cancer Center Hunterdon Regional Community Health Readington Township Board of Health

REFERENCES 1. 2010 Hunterdon County Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance System 2. 2009 Household Survey on Drug Use and Health 3. 2008 and 2012 Hunterdon County Substance Abuse Overview 4. 2012 Hunterdon County Substance Abuse Overview 5. 2014 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Alcohol FAQs 6. 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health 7. 2011 National Survey on Drug Use and Health 8. 2007 Aldington, et al. Effects of cannabis on pulmonary structure, function and symptoms 9. 2012 Meier et al. Persistent canabis users show neuropsychological decline from childhood to midlife 10. 2010 US Surgeon General. How tobacco smoke causes disease