DID YOU KNOW?DID YOU KNOW?

FACTSFACTS

Approximately 2/3 of teenagers who Approximately 2/3 of teenagers who drink, report that they can purchase drink, report that they can purchase their own alcoholtheir own alcohol

One third of six and ninth graders One third of six and ninth graders obtain alcohol from their own homesobtain alcohol from their own homes

More than 40% of individuals who start More than 40% of individuals who start drinking before the age of 15 will drinking before the age of 15 will develop alcohol abuse or alcohol develop alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence at some point in their livesdependence at some point in their lives

Every 33 minutes throughout the Every 33 minutes throughout the day, one person is killed by an day, one person is killed by an impaired driver.impaired driver.

Every 2 minutes someone is injured Every 2 minutes someone is injured in an accident involving an impaired in an accident involving an impaired driver.driver.

On Friday and Saturday between 9 On Friday and Saturday between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m., one of every seven p.m. and 2 a.m., one of every seven drivers is legally intoxicated.drivers is legally intoxicated.

Are Parents Interacting Are Parents Interacting With Their Kids?With Their Kids?

Parental Involvement is Key to Drug Prevention

Kids who learn a lot about

the risk of drugs from their

parents

are up to half as likely to use.Source: Partnership Attitude Tracking Study

2004 PATS Findings2004 PATS Findings

Today’s parents see less risk in drugsToday’s parents see less risk in drugs

Fewer of today’s parents are talking to Fewer of today’s parents are talking to their kids about drugstheir kids about drugs

Today’s parents underestimate their Today’s parents underestimate their kids exposure to drugskids exposure to drugs

Source: 2004 PATS Parents

Underestimate UseUnderestimate Use(“Not My Kid”)(“Not My Kid”)

Parents

My teen hastried marijuana

Teens

I have tried marijuana

18%

39%

Source: 2004 PATS Parents

Underestimate UseUnderestimate Use(“Not My Kid”)(“Not My Kid”)

Parents

My teen hastried inhalants

Teens

I have triedinhalants

3%

18%

Parental Involvement is Key to Drug Prevention

Kids who learn a lot about

the risk of drugs from their parents

are up to half as likely to use.

Need to Increase Parental Involvement

Only 32% of teens

“learn a lot about the risk of drugs”

from their parents.

Recipe for Trouble

Parents see “less risk in drugs”

+

“less communication with their teens”

+

changing drug threats facing teens

=

Dangerous Convergence

Why Should Parents Interact Why Should Parents Interact With Their Kids?With Their Kids?

Adolescence is a period of profound brain Adolescence is a period of profound brain maturation.maturation.

We We thoughtthought brain development was brain development was

complete by adolescencecomplete by adolescence

We now know… maturation is not complete We now know… maturation is not complete

until about until about age 24!!!age 24!!!

Alcohol Dependence/Abuse Among Alcohol Dependence/Abuse Among Adults: Adults:

by Age of First Use by Age of First Use (SAMHSA, 2004)(SAMHSA, 2004)

1615

9

4.22.6

0

5

10

15

20

<12 yrs 12-14 yrs 15-17 yrs 18-20 yrs 21+ yrs

Fewer Problems in ThoseWho Start Later

INDIRECTINDIRECT EFFECTS OF EFFECTS OF ALCOHOLALCOHOL

Neurodevelopment likely contributes Neurodevelopment likely contributes to…. to….

Risky, Impulsive Behavior Risky, Impulsive Behavior

Particularly in groups!Particularly in groups!

Planning and Judgment Planning and Judgment

Ability to Weigh ConsequencesAbility to Weigh Consequences

SUMMARY

… and alcohol effects are GREATER during periods of rapid neurodevelopment -

Adolescence

DIRECTDIRECT EFFECTS OF EFFECTS OF ALCOHOLALCOHOL

1.1. Reduced sensitivity to Reduced sensitivity to

intoxicationintoxication

2.2. Increased social disinhibitionIncreased social disinhibition

3.3. Increased cognitive disruptionIncreased cognitive disruption

SUMMARY

Are there dangers/pressures on Are there dangers/pressures on kids that weren’t present when kids that weren’t present when

their parents were young?their parents were young?

Top ranked site in Google on 1/5/03

ImplicationsImplications

• Little knownLittle known• Increased access Increased access • Can it be stopped?Can it be stopped?• IncreasedIncreased

- Use- Use- Addiction- Addiction- Overdose- Overdose

• Computer literate Computer literate at riskat risk

Recreational Use of Medication AdvocacyRecreational Use of Medication Advocacy

Point-Click-DrinkPoint-Click-DrinkOnline Alcohol? No ID? Online Alcohol? No ID? No Problem!No Problem!

Already 1 out of 10 kids is getting Already 1 out of 10 kids is getting alcohol illegally online or by home alcohol illegally online or by home deliverydelivery

No effective way of identifying the No effective way of identifying the age of online customersage of online customers

Package delivery companies rarely Package delivery companies rarely check ID’s when delivering alcoholcheck ID’s when delivering alcohol

Signs and Symptoms of Drug Abuse

Negative changes in schoolwork, missing school, or declining grades

Use of incense, room deodorant, or perfumes to hide smoke or chemical odors

New friends Evidence of drug paraphernalia Excessive inhalant products such as nail polish,

hairspray, as well as other household products Missing prescription drugs—especially

narcotics and mood stabilizers

WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN PARENTS DON’T EXERCISE

THEIR INFLUENCE?

Make A DifferenceMake A Difference

Don’t be naïve. Watch for signs of Don’t be naïve. Watch for signs of abuse and if you sense a problem abuse and if you sense a problem seek help, and talk…..It could save seek help, and talk…..It could save their lives.their lives.