14 th Annual Northern California Adult Conference Marijuana and Drug Prevention Strategies

How do we reach them?

Getting kids to think about it

Develop Credibility

Credibility Authenticity Have you smoked weed? Nonjudgmental Use of science and Honest dialogue

Drive, motivation, the what’s important filter

The power of Dopamine Sketch the synaptic space Loss of dopamine Dulling of pleasure center Training the brain Genetics Difference between dopamine and Serotonin Wizard of Oz

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?

Developmental tasks Boredom/ Developing Interests Good times Stress Social Skills Academic Skills Answer the question “Who am I?”

Tetrahydrocannibinol Hippies 1-3% THC Cannabis Sativa cost $5-$10/ounce Vietnam 5-10% THC Cannabis Indica cost $5-$10/ gram Sensimilla 10-15% THC Grown without seeds Purple 15-20% THC Northern California Horticulture (Indoors)

The Brain and Cannabinoid Sites Nucleus Accumbens Hippocampus Cerebellum Or how we trick the brain

Hippocampus, say what? Retrieves relevant information Stores new info it deems relevant

Cerebellum Controls internal and external coordination

How well does the drug work?

Message for Parents Give a Delaying message Safety Prefrontal cortex less involved (See next slide) Brain is developing Short circuiting developmental tasks The research

Adolescent BrainAdult Brain

Percentage of U.S. Adults Aged 18 and Older Dependent on Alcohol, By Age of Drinking Onset

References Tim Cermak – Marijuana: What’s a Parent to Believe – Hazelden Press Recommended Web Site – Partnership for Drug Free America Ralph Cantor