Transcript Slide 1
When Drugs Work . . .
Your Kids Can’t
Effects of Drugs on the Brain and
Learning
Youth and Alcohol
#1 Drug Problem among Youth
By their senior year, nearly 90% will
have tried alcohol.
Juniors and Seniors in high school drink
35% of all wine coolers sold in the
United States
They drink an estimated 1.1 billion
bottles and cans of beer each year.
Effects on Body
Heavy, fast paced drinking leads to:
Altered judgment
Distorted vision
Poor coordination
Blackouts
Lower body weight results in faster
absorption, greater impairment and damage
Alcohol related car accidents are the #1
cause of death of young people ages 15 – 24.
Youth and Marijuana
Parts of the brain that control emotion,
memory, and judgment are effected by
marijuana
Blocks information from getting to long
term memory
Weakens problem solving ability
Impacts ability to concentrate
Alters coordination
Effects on Body
Smoke causes damage to the lungs and
pulmonary system
Marijuana smoke has more cancer
causing agents than tobacco
Can be psychologically addictive
Higher doses can cause paranoia and
psychosis
Youth and Cocaine/Crack
HIGHLY ADDICTIVE, whether in
powder form (cocaine) or solid (crack)
Stimulant
Crack is:
Cheap
Easily
used (smoked)
Fast acting (effects are felt within 10
seconds)
Effects on Body
Strong Central Nervous System
Stimulant (CNS)
Interferes with reabsorption of
dopamine
Build up of dopamine cause euphoric
feeling
Effects on Body
Increase in HR and BP can result in
heart attacks and strokes.
Prolonged use results in paranoia,
psychosis, and violent behavior
When alcohol and cocaine is mixed in
the liver, produces a third chemical that
intensifies effect and can lead to sudden
death
Youth and Heroin
HIGHLY ADDICTIVE Opiate
Brain cells become dependent on
Heroin to function
High starts with a rush, ends with a
“foggy” feeling for many hours
Effects on Body
Depression of the CNS
Mental functioning is impaired
Long term use associated with:
Collapsed veins
Infection of the heart and liver
Pulmonary complications
Tolerance leads to Addiction and
physical withdrawal when you stop
Other Common Drugs
Ecstasy (MDMA)
Over the Counter (OTC) Medication
Methamphetamine (Meth)
Inhalants
Common Warning Signs
Physical
Fatigue
Repeated health complaints
Red eyes
Weight loss
Common Warning Signs
Emotional
Personality changes
Sudden Mood swings
Poor judgment
Depression
Lack of interest
Common Warning Signs
Family
Frequent arguments
Breaking rules
Withdrawal from family
Common Warning Signs
School
Decreased interest
Negative attitude
Drop in grades
Absences
Discipline problems
Common Warning Signs
Social
New group of friends less interested in
home and school activities
Trouble with the law
Change in style of dress and music
Athletic Performance Enhancers
Why are student-athletes subjecting
themselves to Performance Enhancement
Drugs?
Improve Physical Appearance
Heighten Athletic Performance
Societal Expectations: “Win at all
Costs” will do whatever it takes no
matter what the price is….
Basic Principles of Exercise
Physiology
“Sheer Strength” is determined by
two factors:
Amount
of muscle mass
The ability of nerves to stimulate
muscle contraction
CAN PERFORMANCE- ENHANCING DRUGS AND
SUPPLEMENTS IMPROVE YOUR PERFORMANCE??
Anabolic Steroids
Creatine Monohydrate
Stimulants
ANABOLIC STEROIDS
Anabolic Steroid is an illegal drug
Banned from
High School Interscholastic Athletics
NCAA and all Professional and Olympic
Sports.
Anabolic Steroids are a testosterone,
which is a hormone that our body
produces.
Testosterone has two main effects on
your body:
Anabolic effects- promotes muscle
building
Androgenic effects- are responsible for
male traits such as facial hair and
deepening of the voice.
Anabolic Steroids that are used amongst
athletes are a synthetic derivative of
testosterone.
They are made in either a pill form or a
soluble that can be injected.
Short Term Gains:
Increase in muscle mass
Increase in speed and explosiveness
Increase in aggressive behavior
But to maintain these gains, you are
willing to risk:
Severe acne
Liver tumors
Increased low-density lipoprotein (LDL),
“the bad cholesterol
Decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL)
“the good cholesterol”
Aggressive behaviors, “roid rage” or
violence
Psychiatric disorders, such as depression
Drug dependence
Effects on Body
Anabolic Steroid Use Nationwide of 8th,
10th and 12th Grade Students:
Early 1990’s steroid use remained
under 1.5%
1999 and 2000 for 8th graders- 1.7%
2000 and 2002 for 10th graders- 2.2%
2002 and 2004 for 12th graders- 2.5%
Creatine Monohydrate
It is a compound produced by your body
that helps release energy in your muscles.
Creatine is stored in your muscles. Your
liver produces 2 grams of creatine each
day.
Creatine may also be ingested from
protein-rich foods such as meat or fish.
With prolong use; weight gain is achieved
through the retention of water in the
muscle tissue.
Why do athletes take this?
The research has indicated small
improvements in short-term power
activities for example power lifting,
increase in short term speed in
sprints.
It has also proven to increase muscle
mass therefore having an anabolic
like reaction, similar to steroids.
The Danger??
Dehydration
Nausea
Vomiting
Leading to kidney, liver and heart
damage
STIMULANTS
Stimulants are drugs that can reduce
fatigue, suppress appetite and
increase alertness and
aggressiveness.
They stimulate the central nervous
system, increasing your heart rate,
blood pressure, body temperature
and metabolism.
COMMON STIMULANTS
Cocaine
Ephedrine, which is in cold remedies.
Amphetamines such as Dexedrine
and Benzedrine
Caffeine products such as Red Bull,
Monster, Rockstar
The risk….
One will become nervous and irritable
impacting their concentration on the athletic
field
causing a decrease in athletic performance.
Athletes may become addicted
developing a tolerance so they need greater
amounts to achieve the desired effects
This will lead one to experience
circulatory problems, heart attack,
hallucinations and brain hemorrhage.
Is it worth it????
Does society place a high expectation on
achieving a competitive edge to win at all costs?
This will be an ongoing dilemma if we don’t
acknowledge the fact that the emphasis on:
making a team
being a starter
earn a scholarship
win at all cost perception
Underlying reason student-athletes across
America take a risk, the risk of “life”.
What can you as the parent do?
Be clear about your expectations- It must be safe, make no
exceptions.
Discuss ethics and proper training- Utilizing these
performance enhance substances is cheating.
There is no substitute for:
A WELL BALANCED DIET AND RIGOROUS TRAINING=
SUCCESS IN ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE
Talk with your child’s coach
Monitor your child’s purchases at the local GNC and
Nutrition stores. Especially, purchasing through the
internet…
What Can Parents Do When They
Suspect Drug Use?
Communicate
Honest
Open
Direct
Get Professional help if problem
persists
Social Hosting
Social Host Responsibility Act
Parents/Adults are held liable under
criminal and civil penalty for either serving
and/or allowing the service of alcohol to
minors in their home or at a party they are
“hosting”
Can be held liable for actions occurring
after the minor leaves your home or party