DID YOU KNOW?

FACTS Approximately 2/3 of teenagers who drink, report that they can purchase their own alcohol Approximately 2/3 of teenagers who drink, report that they can purchase their own alcohol One third of six and ninth graders obtain alcohol from their own homes One third of six and ninth graders obtain alcohol from their own homes More than 40% of individuals who start drinking before the age of 15 will develop alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence at some point in their lives More than 40% of individuals who start drinking before the age of 15 will develop alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence at some point in their lives

Every 33 minutes throughout the day, one person is killed by an impaired driver. Every 33 minutes throughout the day, one person is killed by an impaired driver. Every 2 minutes someone is injured in an accident involving an impaired driver. Every 2 minutes someone is injured in an accident involving an impaired driver. On Friday and Saturday between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m., one of every seven drivers is legally intoxicated. On Friday and Saturday between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m., one of every seven drivers is legally intoxicated.

Are Parents Interacting With Their Kids?

Parental Involvement is Key to Drug Prevention Kids who learn a lot about the risk of drugs from their parents are up to half as likely to use. Source: Partnership Attitude Tracking Study

2004 PATS Findings Today’s parents see less risk in drugs Today’s parents see less risk in drugs Fewer of today’s parents are talking to their kids about drugs Fewer of today’s parents are talking to their kids about drugs Today’s parents underestimate their kids exposure to drugs Today’s parents underestimate their kids exposure to drugs

Source: 2004 PATS Parents Underestimate Use (“Not My Kid”) Parents My teen has tried marijuana Teens I have tried marijuana 18% 39%

Source: 2004 PATS Parents Underestimate Use (“Not My Kid”) Parents My teen has tried inhalants Teens I have tried inhalants 3% 18%

Parental Involvement is Key to Drug Prevention Kids who learn a lot about the risk of drugs from their parents are up to half as likely to use.

Need to Increase Parental Involvement Only 32% of teens “learn a lot about the risk of drugs” from their parents.

Recipe for Trouble Parents see “less risk in drugs” + “less communication with their teens” + changing drug threats facing teens = Dangerous Convergence

Why Should Parents Interact With Their Kids?  Adolescence is a period of profound brain maturation.  We thought brain development was complete by adolescence  We now know… maturation is not complete until about age 24!!!

Alcohol Dependence/Abuse Among Adults: by Age of First Use (SAMHSA, 2004) Fewer Problems in Those Who Start Later

INDIRECT EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL Neurodevelopment likely contributes to…. Risky, Impulsive Behavior Particularly in groups! Risky, Impulsive Behavior Particularly in groups! Planning and Judgment Planning and Judgment Ability to Weigh Consequences Ability to Weigh Consequences SUMMARY … and alcohol effects are GREATER during periods of rapid neurodevelopment - Adolescence

DIRECT EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL 1. Reduced sensitivity to intoxication 2. Increased social disinhibition 3. Increased cognitive disruption SUMMARY

Are there dangers/pressures on kids that weren’t present when their parents were young?

Top ranked site in Google on 1/5/03

Implications Little known Little known Increased access Increased access Can it be stopped? Can it be stopped? Increased Increased - Use - Addiction - Overdose Computer literate Computer literate at risk at risk

Recreational Use of Medication Advocacy

Point-Click-Drink Online Alcohol? No ID? No Problem! Already 1 out of 10 kids is getting alcohol illegally online or by home delivery Already 1 out of 10 kids is getting alcohol illegally online or by home delivery No effective way of identifying the age of online customers No effective way of identifying the age of online customers Package delivery companies rarely check ID’s when delivering alcohol Package delivery companies rarely check ID’s when delivering alcohol

Signs and Symptoms of Drug Abuse Negative changes in schoolwork, missing school, or declining grades Use of incense, room deodorant, or perfumes to hide smoke or chemical odors New friends Evidence of drug paraphernalia Excessive inhalant products such as nail polish, hairspray, as well as other household products Missing prescription drugs—especially narcotics and mood stabilizers

WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN PARENTS DON’T EXERCISE THEIR INFLUENCE?

Make A Difference Don’t be naïve. Watch for signs of abuse and if you sense a problem seek help, and talk…..It could save their lives. Don’t be naïve. Watch for signs of abuse and if you sense a problem seek help, and talk…..It could save their lives.