Transcript Drug and Alcohol Awareness - Hertfordshire Grid for Learning

Parental Drug and Alcohol
Awareness Workshop
Vanessa Rogers
DRUG EDUCATION CONSULTANT
Workshop aims
• Increased awareness about alcohol, cannabis,
cocaine and Psychoactive Substances (formerly
known as ‘legal highs’)
• Information about the law and associated risks
of misusing drugs
• Informal advice on how to have a positive
conversation with children about drugs and
alcohol
• Where to go for additional information, support
and advice in Hertfordshire.
What is a drug?
A drug is any chemical you take that
affects the way your body and / or mind
works.
#myth-buster1
You have to be an expert to talk about
drugs.
FALSE
• You don’t need to be a drug expert to talk
to your child about making sensible
choices.
• Learning about alcohol units and basic
drugs information will help.
• Go to www.talktofrank.com to find out
The basics
1. Not all drugs are ‘bad’.
2. Some drugs are controlled by age, some can be
bought ‘over-the-counter’ and others can only
prescribed.
3. Some drugs are illegal to make, buy, possess or
sell.
4. The legal status of Psychoactive Substances
has changed.
5. Drugs will react differently based on a wide
range of factors including mood, set and quality.
6. Any drug can be dangerous if misused.
Misuse of Drugs Act 1971
• Is the legislation that sets out illegal drugs
as Class A, B or C
• This is broadly based on harm to the user
and / or to society.
• The class affects the penalty for an
offence involving the drug.
• Drugs controlled under the Misuse of
Drugs Act are illegal to buy, possess,
produce, give away or sell.
Medicines Act 1968
• This covers prescription drugs and medicines
sold over-the-counter.
• Some drugs, e.g. prescription painkillers and
sleeping tablets, are illegal without a valid
prescription.
• Over-the-counter drugs include those you can
legally buy from a chemist or supermarket.
• Some of these can be misused so the quantity
you can buy is regulated.
#myth-buster2
All young people try drugs.
FALSE
• Myth is reinforced by stereotypes in the
media about the number of young people
trying drugs.
• This matters because perceptions of
‘social norms’ can shape behaviour.
Hertfordshire facts
• 25% of secondary aged pupils in
Hertfordshire said that they had an
alcoholic drink in the last week
• 11% of secondary aged pupils in
Hertfordshire said they had taken some
form of illegal drug
(Source: Hertfordshire Health Related Behaviour Survey)
National statistics
• 74% of 11 to 15 year olds say they have been
offered drugs.
• Most were offered drugs by an older peer or
sibling.
• 15% of 11-15 year olds have taken drugs.
• 38% have tried alcohol at least once and 8%
were drunk in the last week.
• Majority were first given alcohol by a family
member.
• 86% of those living with a non-drinker don’t
drink.
What should I say?
• Do remind your child that, despite media
stories, taking drugs is not the norm.
• Don’t echo messages in the media that
over-hype drug use and can reinforce the
idea that ‘everyone’s doing it’.
• Don’t glamorise alcohol and drinking.
• Do take the opportunity for everyday
conversations.
#myth-buster3
Only people with problems drink or
take drugs.
FALSE
• Anybody might choose to – regardless of
gender, age, ethnicity and social
background.
Exercise 1: Why?
100 adults were asked the question:
Why might someone choose to take drugs
or drink alcohol, despite adverse health
warnings?
Reasons for use
to unwind after a stressful day …. to feel euphoric … for fun
… to feel nothing … to celebrate …to experiment …to rebel
to feel more confident … to work longer hours … why not?
… to enhance performance … to be sociable … to fit in …
to prevent / stop boredom … to alleviate emotional pain ...
other health problems … peer pressure ... experience …
to aid relaxation … to help creativity … because it is a habit
… to satisfy cravings … to avoid withdrawal symptoms …
to make it easier to express feelings … to help lose weight
… because it’s there … escapism … a hobby … it’s cheap .
. it helps concentration … to experience an altered state …
because it’s Friday … because it’s Saturday … just
because ..
What can parents do?
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Start talking about it early, e.g. at family meals.
Don’t scare children with exaggerated horror stories.
Use things like soap opera storylines as a prompt.
Explain your opinions and ask theirs.
Role-model healthy choices and ways to cope with
stress.
Be prepared to set clear boundaries.
Get to know their friends.
Encourage personal responsibility for choices made.
Trust them and let them know they have your support.
Ask for advice and support if you need it
Alcohol
Most common drug in the UK.
Widely available.
Socially acceptable.
Relatively cheap.
Factors that influence the effects of
alcohol
age
gender
experience
physical condition
how you feel
amount of food
eaten
other drugs or
medicines taken
Calculating the risks
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HEALTH
Drinking any alcohol carries health risks.
Safer drinking limits 2-3 units a day for women and 3-4 for
men.
No safer drinking limit for under 18’s.
UK Chief Medical Officers’ Alcohol Review (2016)
recommends men and women should not regularly drink
more than 14 units of alcohol a week.
DRIVING
• Legal limit for driving is 35mg of alcohol in 100ml of
breath.
• If you've drunk any alcohol, the safest bet is not drive at
all.
#myth-buster4
Ways to sober up:
• Coffee
• Drinking water
• A cold shower
FALSE:
• Only time sobers you up.
• The liver processes alcohol at a rate of
about one unit per hour.
Cannabis
Cannabis …Pot …Bud
…Marijuana … Skunk ...
Weed …Blow … Dope ..
Green …Ganja ... Hash
Cannabis Facts
• Cannabis is a depressant and
hallucinogenic drug.
• Looks like dried leaves, buds and flowers
or a black/brown block of resin.
• The mind-altering ingredient is THC.
• Levels of THC can vary from 2% to 20%.
• ‘Skunk’ contains higher levels of THC so is
stronger.
Cannabis use
• Often smoked with tobacco or inhaled in
other ways.
• Distinctive smell that clings to hair and
clothes.
• Effects: relaxation, increased senses,
slowing of thoughts, time seems to pass
more slowly, sometimes mild
hallucinogenic effects.
#myth-buster5
Cannabis is harmless
FALSE:
• Increased risk of mouth and lung cancer
and other lung conditions.
• Can increase likelihood of psychosis.
• Risk of road traffic accidents whilst driving
under the influence.
• Impaired judgement leading to increased
risk of poor decision making.
Cannabis Quiz
true or false?
1. Cannabis is the widest used illegal drug in the
UK.
2. Most cannabis is imported into the UK.
3. Smoking cannabis will lead to mental health
problems.
4. If you are caught in possession of cannabis you
will only receive a caution.
5. The maximum for supplying cannabis is five
years in prison.
Cannabis & the Law
• Cannabis is an illegal substance under
class B of the Misuse of Drugs Act.
• Possession: up to 5 years in prison, an
unlimited fine or both.
• Supply and/or production: up to 14 years
in prison, an unlimited fine or both.
Cannabis & the Law
• Possession: up to
5 years in prison,
an unlimited fine or
both.
• Supply and/or
production: up to
14 years in prison,
an unlimited fine or
both.
Cannabis is a Class B
drug
Cocaine
• Erythroxylum coca is
a high altitude South
American shrub
• The leaves are the
source of cocaine.
• The traditional
method of coca use is
to "chew" the leaves,
producing a mild
stimulation.
Cocaine Fact File
• Class A drug
• Coke; Crack;
White; Snow;
Charlie; Rocks,
Sniff, Gear.
• Euphoric Stimulant
• Powder form
usually snorted,
‘rocks’ are smoked.
Cocaine & Crack
EFFECTS
CONCERNS
• Feelings of well-being,
increased focus and
confidence.
• Street cocaine is often
impure.
• Loss of appetite.
• Can increase risk-taking
behaviour.
• Some people become
aggressive.
• Increased body
temperature and heart
rate.
• Anxiety, paranoia,
dizziness,
nausea/vomiting, kidney
failure, seizure, stroke,
and heart attack.
• Repeated snorting can
cause severe damage to
the nose.
• Smoking crack cocaine
can cause breathing
difficulties.
Psychoactive Substances
• Formerly known as
‘legal highs’.
• Mimic other illegal
drugs.
• Often used with other
drugs (alcohol).
• 6% of young people
say they have been
offered them.
• 2.2% say they have
tried them.
Legal Highs – information
1. Depressant: relaxant, sedating, mimic opiodlike drugs (and alcohol)
2. Hallucinogen: mimic LSD-type drugs
3. Stimulant: mimic substances like cocaine,
ecstasy and amphetamines
4. Dissociative: feeling of detachment,
separation of mind and body, like ketamine.
5. Synthetic Cannabinoids: not derived from
cannabis plant, downer-type drug with
psychedelic properties.
Psychoactive Substances – Facts
• Substances that mimic the effects of other illegal
drugs, e.g. cocaine, cannabis, amphetamines
and ecstasy.
• Can range from herbal extracts that contain
caffeine to highly toxic synthetic chemicals.
• Few, if any, have been tested for toxicity and
can have serious adverse effects.
• Several deaths attributed to misuse. No long
term health research done yet.
• The law changed at the end of May 2016
Psychoactive Substances Act 2016
• Bans the production, distribution, sale and
supply of psychoactive substances (AKA legal
highs) which are intended for human
consumption.
• Shuts down ‘head shops’ and online dealers.
• Allows people, premises and cars to be
searched.
• Offenders face up to seven years in jail.
• However, possession by an individual not be a
criminal offence.
Nitrous oxide
• Laughing gas, NOS or ‘Whippits’
• Selling and distribution now an offence.
• Can no longer be sold on the high street or
festivals.
• Legal exemption for legitimate purposes
Nitrous oxide effects
• Clear, sweet smelling gas that is produced
synthetically for sale
• Causes giddiness, a dreamy or floating
sensation, and a pain-free state.
• Inhaling it produces a short high.
• This can pose serious risks to the brain and
body when it’s used outside of a medical setting.
• Inhaling can result in a lack of oxygen to the
brain.
• Tolerance builds up, can be addictive.
#myth-buster6
You can tell if someone uses drugs.
FALSE
• It can be easy to miss potential
indicators.
• You cannot know everything your child
does when they aren’t with you.
• You cannot tell just by looking at
someone.
Potential indicators
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Secrecy and unexplained need for extra money
Moody and uncommunicative
Drugs paraphernalia
Distinctive odour (skunk and cannabis)
Change in appetite (‘munchies’)
Impaired coordination, concentration, and memory
Slowed speech, constant cough, chronic sore throat
General disinterest and lack of motivation
Red or bloodshot eyes (often masked by eye drops)
Impaired tracking and visual distance
Delayed decision making and distortions in time
estimation.
What can I do if I’m worried?
• If you are worried get help and support.
• Don’t make unfounded accusations.
• Especially if you think someone is under
the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Don’t make threats or hasty decisions.
• Wait to talk it through.
• Make it clear it’s the behaviour you don’t
like, not the person.
Drugs paraphernalia
Information and support
1. FRANK
www.talktofrank.com
2. Al Anon
Confidential helpline on 020 7403 088
3. Adolescent Drug & Alcohol Service for
Hertfordshire (A-DASH)
[email protected]
4. Family Lives
Confidential helpline on 0808 800 2222