Transcript Drug Free Classrooms

Drug – Free Classrooms
Presented by:
Lindsay Guckian, Betsy McQueen,
Amber Ingram, Christine James
This is what we see
when it is too late!
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSWt8UMRsdY
This is what they can
see before you know
it’s a problem.
 http://youtube.com/watch?v=ciUCrhrCmVA&mode=related&search=
What You Did Not Know…
 The 2000 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse (NHSDA)
estimated that nearly one out of ten youth has, in their lifetime,
purposely sniffed (breathed in through the nose) or huffed the vapors of
household products like glue, shoe polish and cleaning fluids to ‘get
high’.
 As result of inhalant use suffocation, “inhaling fluid or vomit into the
lungs, and accidents each cause about 15% of deaths linked to inhalant
abuse.” The majority of users are young between the ages of 8 and 16.
 Among students surveyed for the 2005 YRBSS, 12.4% reported using
inhalants at least one time during their lifetime.
 Some States have introduced fines, incarceration, or mandatory
treatment for the sale, distribution, use, and/or possession of inhalable
chemicals.
Objectives
By the end of this session, participates will be able to:
 Differentiate patterns and behaviors of use that accompany
inhalant use.
 Develop and promote activities/programs involving the whole
school.
 Recognize the short and long term effects of inhalants.
 Describe how decisions regarding inhalant use could affect a
student’s favorite activity, cause serious health problems, or
even lead to death.
 Provide students and parents with a list of resources for outside
help.
 Produce appropriate lessons plans about the dangers of
inhalants.
 Feel confident in discussing inhalants with parents.
What are inhalants?
o Inhalants are legal, everyday products that
can be misused.
o Inhalant use is the intentional breathing of
gases or vapors with the purpose of reaching
a high
o More than 1,000 common products can be
used as an inhalant.
National Inhalant Prevention Coalition
Common Inhalants in the Home and
Classroom
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Model Airplane Glue
Rubber Cement
Household glue
Spray Paint
Hair Spray
Air Freshener
Computer Keyboard
Cleaner
o White Out
o Nail Polish Remover
o Paint Thinners
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Whippets
Whipped Cream
Vegetable Cooking Spray
Spot Remover
Toxic Markers
Degreaser
Helium
Gasoline
Chloroform
Propane
Dry Cleaning Fluid
Terms to be familiar with
Huffing: breathing in fumes or vapor
vigorously through mouth
Sniffing: Breathing in fumes or vapors
through the nose
Bagging: huffing substances inside a paper
or plastic bag
Ballooning: huffing gases from inside a
balloon
Dusting:????
Signs and Symptoms of Use







paint or stains on body or clothing
spots or sores around the mouth
red or runny eyes or nose
chemical breath odor
drunk, dazed or dizzy appearance
nausea, loss of appetite
anxiety, excitability, irritability
Inhalants and the Body
A. Brain
B. Cerebral Cortex
C. Cerebellum
D. Ophthalmic Nerve
Other Body Parts and Functions
Affected by Inhalant Use
 Blood
 Lungs
 Heart
 Liver
 Kidneys
 Muscles
 Bone Marrow
 Peripheral Nervous System
 Acoustic Nerve and Muscles
Short- Term Effects
Headaches, nausea, vomiting
Loss of balance
Dizziness
Slurred and slow speech
Mood changes
Hallucinations (audio, visual, tactile)
Possible death
Long- Term Effects
Loss of concentration/attention deficits
Kidney abnormalities
Liver damage
Diminish non-verbal intelligence
Short-term memory loss
Hearing loss
Permanent Brain Damage
Muscle Spasm
Inhalants CAN cause Death






Asphyxia
Suffocation
Choking
Injuries
Suicides
Cardiac arrest
Why do children use inhalants?
They are legal
Easy to obtain
Possessing these chemicals in the home
is not unusual
Peer Pressure
TIPS FOR TEACHERS
• Define and discuss the term "toxic"; students can
practice reading labels and following instructions
• Teach about oxygen's importance to life and
functioning, with emphasis on body systems and
brain functions.
• Discuss the need for parental supervision, following
directions and adequate room ventilation.
• Be a good role model; let students see you reading
labels and following instructions.
TIPS FOR TEACHERS
• Discuss and discourage "body pollution" and
introducing poisons into the body.
• Discuss negative effects of oxygen deprivation.
• Teach/reinforce peer resistance skills.
• Discuss environmental toxins and personal
safety issues.
DO
 Review school policy regarding drug use and referral
service
 Provide training for all school staff as well as parents
 Start prevention efforts, by age 5, minimum
 Link inhalants to safety or environmental issues
 Ascertain current level of knowledge
 Teach and reinforce appropriate skills
DON’T
Glamorize or promote usage
Rely on scare tactics
Tell too much, too soon
Give details on "how to use" or trendy
products being abused
Limit prevention to secondary grade levels
Link inhalants with drugs or a drug unit