Drug TrendsAlicia Ozenberger

ACT Missouriwww.actmissouri.org

(Special thanks to Tri-County Mental Health for the original presentation.)

What Drives Experimentation/Use

Perceptions of Risk/HarmPerceptions of

AvailabilityPerceptions of Acceptability

Over the Counter Products

Energy/Downer DrinksInhalantsOver the Counter (OTC) Medications

ENERGY DRINKS

Regulation of Energy/Downer Drinks

Energy/downer drinks are unregulated by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and have not been ‘recognized as safe’.

The FDA does regulate the caffeine level of soft drinks to .02% or 71 mg per 12 ounces; however, because EDs contain herbal ingredients they are classified as “dietary supplements,” which are not subject to the same guidelines (FDA, 2007)

Caffeine Intoxication

• Symptoms:• Nervousness/Anxiety • Restlessness/Insomnia • Gastrointestinal upset • Tremors/Tics • Arrhythmias and

Tachycardia• Psychomotor agitation

(restlessness and pacing) • Death (in rare cases)

Do Energy Drinks Give You Energy?• Energy drinks work by causing an artificial

“stress response” by causing the release of stored hormones and neurotransmitters in the body.

• Reductions in immune and endocrine system functioning.

• Energy Drinks work in the short term, but regular use will result in decreased energy levels and mood.

• Athletes need to be aware that for every high there comes an inevitable low or “CRASH”

Downer Drinks

“Downer” DrinksCalm in a Bottle

Drank (the original)– a sweet purplish potion touted to deliver “extreme relaxation”

Ichill – laced with melatonin and valerian root

Sold as 2 oz shotsRelaxZen - Vacation in a Bottle and Blue

Cow (opposite of Red Bull) – at least 20 brands can be purchased on-line

Dietary SupplementsLazy Cakes

Lazy Cakes – The relaxation brownie

Drug filled brownies containing melatonin, valerian root, passion flower and rose hips.

Has enough melatonin to put the average adults into a deep sleep – recommended dosage is .2 mg., but each cake has 7.8 mg.

Melatonin can cause impairment to the central nervous system, trouble breathing, and nausea.

Valerian Root is comparable to valium or tranquilizers.

Lazy Cakes - Cont.Appealing to children since it looks

like candySold in colorful, psychedelic

wrappers and features a cartoon character – Larry Lazycakes.

Its slogan is “Peace, Love and Lazy Cakes”

According to the 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), there were 729,000

persons aged 12 or older who had used inhalants for the first time within the past 12 months; 70 percent were under the age of 18.

How are inhalants used?“Sniffing" or "snorting" fumes from

containersSpraying aerosols directly into the nose or

mouth “Bagging"—sniffing or inhaling fumes from

substances sprayed or deposited inside a plastic or paper bag

“Huffing" from an inhalant-soaked rag stuffed in the mouth

Inhaling from balloons filled with nitrous oxide

DEADLY CONSEQUENCESAsphyxiation—from repeated inhalations, which lead to

high concentrations of inhaled fumes displacing the available oxygen in the lungs

Suffocation—from blocking air from entering the lungs when inhaling fumes from a plastic bag placed over the head

Convulsions or seizures—from abnormal electrical discharges in the brain

Coma—from the brain shutting down all but the most vital functions

Choking—from inhalation of vomit after inhalant use Fatal injury—from accidents, including motor vehicle

fatalities, suffered while intoxicated.

Over The Counter Medications (OTC)and Dietary Supplements

-Cough and Cold Medicines

-Diet Pills and Laxatives

(DXM (Dextromethorphan)

Cough-suppressing ingredient in a variety of OTC cold and cough

medications Produces feelings of

euphoriaCreates both depressant and

mild hallucinogenic effectsAKA-Robo, Skittles, Triple C’s,

Dex, Vitamin D, and Tussin

Over The Counter Cough/Cold Medications

Short-term effectsImpaired judgment, nausea, loss of

coordination, headache, vomiting, loss of consciousness, numbness of fingers and

toes, abdominal pain, irregular heartbeat, aches, seizures, panic attacks, psychosis,

euphoria, cold flashes, dizziness, and diarrhea.5

Long-term effectsAddiction, restlessness, insomnia, high-

blood pressure, coma, or even death

AlcoholNicotinePrescription Drugs

REGULATED PRODUCTS

Dangers of teen drinkingTeens don't just drink. They drink to excess.

Age of first use Binge Drinking New products – alcopops, whipping cream, ice cream and hand sanitizer Boozy Bears

Delivery methods: Bongs Tampons Enema Eyeballing

ALCOHOL + ENERGY DRINKS =DANGEROUS MIX!

Mixes a strong stimulant with a depressant. You may feel more alert but actually the alcohol is having the same effect on you. So you might perceive that you are less impaired than you are.

One study indicates that those who drink energy drinks are twice as likely to abuse other substances (including alcohol, tobacco and marijuana)

WHICH IS WHICH?

Healthy Alcohol?

NICOTINE TRENDS

Targeting Products To YouthNew flavors and new products

CigarettesSmokeless TobaccoLittle Cigars

Many flavors Candy- bubble gum Fruit- sour apple Alcohol- scotch

HOOKAH Consists of Flavored Tobacco (fruit)

PeachGrapeMangoStrawberryCherryMint

Smokeless tobacco comes in a variety of candy flavors

Begin new product slides

Misuse of Rx drugs has recently surpassed marijuana use

1 in 5 teens has abused a prescription (Rx) pain medication 1 in 5 report abusing prescription stimulants and tranquilizers

Many teens think these drugs are safe because they have legitimate uses, but taking them without a prescription to get high or “self-medicate” can be as dangerous – and addictive – as using street narcotics and other illicit drugs.

 

Prescription Drugs