1. DRU GS GET THE FACTS.

2. FACT

3. In Hunterdon County, a survey of 9th & 11th grade students found that... 3 out of 43 out of 4 have had at least ONE drink. 10 years or younger1 in 6 were 10 years or younger when they had their first drink! past month1 in 4 have had five or more drinks in a row in the past month! illegal1 in 3 have tried marijuana, cocaine, or other illegal substances. sniffed glue to get high.1 in 6 have sniffed glue to get high.

4. PROBLEM CLEARLY, THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT IS HAPPENING RIGHT IN OUR OWN HOMES…

5. FACT

6. Young people who use alcohol and drugs are more likely to... VIOLENCEBe victims or perpetrators of VIOLENCE. SEXEngage in unplanned and unprotected SEX. FAILUREExperience school FAILURE. INJURY or DEATHExperience serious INJURY or DEATH from driving. RISKEngage in behaviors with serious RISK.

7. FACT

8. Youth who smoke are more likely than others to drink heavily or use illicit drugs later on in life.

9. FACT

10. In Hunterdon County... smoke cigarettes regularly1 in 4 high school juniors smoke cigarettes regularly. (That’s a lot of carcinogens!) younger than 9 years old.Half of the freshmen report having tried cigarettes, some when even younger than 9 years old.

11. GOOD NEWS THESE FACTS ARE ALARMING… BUT THERE IS ALSO SOME GOOD NEWS...

12. FACT

13. In Hunterdon County... DO NOT SMOKE4 out of 5 high school Juniors and Freshmen DO NOT SMOKE regularly!!! NEVER2 out of 3 have NEVER used marijuana cocaine, or other illegal drugs! NO ALCOHOL1 in 2 report having NO ALCOHOL in the last 30 days!

14. IT IS IMPORTANT FOR STUDENTS WHO DON’T USE TO KNOW THAT THEY ARE NOT ALONE!

15. FACT

16. Most youth who do not use alcohol, tobacco, or illicit drugs credit their parents for their decision… TALK TO YOUR PARENTS!

17. Do you suspect drug use? Drugs… See The Signs

18. Recognition of substance abuse symptoms is not always clear cut. While other variables may be the cause of symptoms or behaviors, there are certain signs that occur often with alcohol/drug abusers. If you notice any of these signs, take the time to check it out!

19. PHYSICAL SIGNS

20. THE EYES Watery Bloodshot Extremely wide or extremely small pupils Overuse of eyedrops

21. THE FACE Marks like paint or ink near the nose Spots or sores around the mouth

22. ODOR Odor of a particular substance Body & breath odor unusual

23. NEEDLE TRACKS Skin boils & sores Injection points and scars, which can get infected

24. PHYSICAL HEALTH Sudden or rapid loss of weight Deterioration in skin tone and color

25. APPETITE EXTREMES None or very little Huge, especially for sweets or liquids “Munchies”

26. IMPAIRED COORDINATION Clumsy Loss of balance Problems with eye-hand coordination

27. STOMACHACHES Complaints of abdominal pain (may be related to withdrawal symptoms) Also look for tremors or shakes

28. PSYCHOLOGICAL SIGNS

29. UNUSUAL EMOTIONAL EXTREMES Hysterical crying or hysterical laughter

30. PARANOIA or FEAR Convinced someone “is after them;” very suspicious

31. CHANGE IN PERSONALITY & ATTITUDE Sudden or dramatic changes in character, demeanor, manners, and/or behaviors.

32. LACK OF INTEREST Loss of interest in former goals; Loss of interest in classes, sports, or hobbies (as compared to prior interest)

33. SLEEP PATTERNS Constantly sleepy; Unusual patterns of sleep; Sleep during unusual times of the day ZZZZZZZZ’s

34. ALERTNESS Overly stimulated or, lack of alertness; Difficulty concentrating

35. CHANGE IN TEMPERAMENT Unusual flare-ups of temper; Extreme anger; Angry all the time.

36. PERCEPTUAL DISTORTIONS Sees or hears things incorrectly or bizarrely; Hallucinations or delusions (seeing things that aren’t there; hearing voices in their head; unusual/odd beliefs)

37. MEMORY PROBLEMS Difficulty with day to day memories, and/or long-term memory X

38. DECISION-MAKING Difficulty making simple decisions; Poor judgement

39. SOCIAL CHANGES

40. CHANGES IN FRIENDS Rejection of former friends; New friends who seem to “get into more trouble.”

41. SOCIAL WITHDRAWAL Isolated from old friends and family; hides in room or away from others.

42. ALIENATION OF FAMILY Turning away from family members; Avoids contact. X

43. BEHAVIORAL CHANGES

44. UNUSUAL BEHAVIORS AT HOME Suddenly locking doors; burning incense; etc.

45. MONEY ISSUES Borrowing money; sudden excess of money; money missing from the home

46. EXCUSES AND RATIONALIZATIONS Unbelievable reasons given for behaviors, needs, etc.

47. CHANGES IN APPEARANCE Sudden changes in hair, clothing, accessories.

48. CARRYING UNUSUAL PARAPHERNALIA Unusual items such as rags, socks, toilet paper rolls, etc; More typical tems such as candy containers, white-out, etc. If it seems odd, check it out!

49. MISSING MEDICATIONS FROM THE HOME Keep an eye out for missing over the counter and prescription drugs.

50. SCHOOL-RELATED CHANGES

51. SKIPPING CLASSES Missing classes or tardiness

52. SUDDEN TRUANCY Occassional or prolonged

53. LOWER GRADES May be a drop in one grade (from B’s to C’s)… not necessarily a dramatic drop.

54. DRUGS…Get the help Do you suspect, or know, that someone close to you is using drugs? Would you like to find out more information on how you can talk to your children about substance abuse? Do you know someone who needs help right away?

55. If you suspect that someone is using substances, or if you have any questions about substance use and abuse and what you can do, call: HUNTERDON HELPLINE at 2-1-1 or 1-800-272-4630 for CONFIDENTIAL Information and Referral (www.helplinehc.org)

56. Or you can call directly to these Hunterdon County Agencies:

57. ALCOHOL/DRUG COUNSELING 1) Hunterdon Behavioral Health Outpatient Services - Alcohol & Substance Abuse 2100 Wescott Drive, Flemington, NJ 08822 (908) 788-6401 2) Hunterdon Drug Awareness Program 8 Main Street, Flemington, NJ 08822 (908) 788-1900 3) Hunterdon Prevention Resources 89 Park Avenue, Flemington, NJ 08822 (908) 782-3909 4) Catholic Charities 6 Park Avenue, Flemington, NJ 08822 (908) 782-7905

58. SUICIDE PREVENTION 1) Hunterdon Medical Center - Emergency Services * 24 Hour Emergency Counseling (908) 788-6400 2) Hunterdon Helpline2-1-1 (800) 272-4630

59. COUNSELING SERVICES 1) Hunterdon Medical Center * Provides therapeutic services for all ages 2100 Wescott Drive, Flemington, NJ 08822(908) 788-6401 2) Family Crisis Intervention Unit * 24 Hour Crises Counseling(908) 788-6401 3) School Based Youth Services Services to all Hunterdon County High Schools and many Elementary Districts; Offers counseling, support, health, recreation & general information(908) 788-6401 4) Catholic Charities: Individual, family, & group therapy 6 Park Avenue, Flemington, NJ 08822(908) 782-7905

60. SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES HIV/AIDS - Testing & Counseling (908) 806 - 4893