ALABAMANATIONAL GUARD

JOINT SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROGRAM (JSAP)UNIT BRIEFING

DRUG FREE – WAY TO BE!ALNG DRUG DEMAND REDUCTION

CAREER CRASHERS!

Testing positive for drugs is a sure way to wreck your military career. Ask

yourself“Is it worth jeopardizing my future?”

•Marijuana

•Methamphetamine

•Cocaine

•Prescription Drugs

The Adjutant General’s Substance Abuse Policy

• Substance abuse, to include alcohol and drugs, is considered serious misconduct and is not compatible with military service.

• The Adjutant General is firmly committed to eliminating substance abuse by soldiers and airmen.

• Substance abuse can seriously impact soldiers, airmen, and the units in which they serve.

• Random drug testing is an important tool for preventing substance abuse and determining readiness of soldiers and airmen.

Drug Testing

• Every unit will conduct no less than 2 drug tests per year.

• Each random list of members to be tested will be developed from a list of ALL personnel assigned.

• All General Officers, AGR personnel, MPs, Aviation personnel, counterdrug personnel, and members that routinely carry a weapon will be mandatorily drug tested once each year.

Prescription Drugs

• Taking a prescription drug that was prescribed for someone else is considered substance abuse.

• Only take medication that has been prescribed for you AND only take the medication in the dose prescribed.

• If you test positive for a drug that has been prescribed for you, you will be given the opportunity to provide the JSAP Office with the prescription and the positive will be cleared.

Would you want to be on a mission with someone who is

stoned?

MARIJUANA

BUT IT’S NATURAL!

Yes, so is poison ivy – but you wouldn’t want to smoke that!Marijuana’s “natural” smoke

contains 3-5 times as much of tobacco’s cancer-causing toxins.

WHAT IS MARIJUANA?

Marijuana is the most commonly abused the most commonly abused drug among soldiers and airmen.drug among soldiers and airmen.

Marijuana positives are the number one Marijuana positives are the number one cause of substance abuse discharges in cause of substance abuse discharges in

the military.the military.

MARIJUANA IN THE BRAIN

• Main active chemical is Delta-9-THC (tetra-hydro-cannabinol)

• THC affects learning and memory.

• Senses and motivations are also affected by THC.

• Reflexes are slowed.

SHORT-TERM EFFECTS OF USING MARIJUANA

Senses of sight, hearing, touch, time, and depth are distorted.

Physical performance is affected.

Trouble with memory, learning, and problem solving skills can occur after only a few uses.

LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF USING MARIJUANA

Permanent damage to thinking and reasoning ability.

Increased tolerance (takes more pot to get same result as before).

Chronic bronchitis, frequent chest colds, and pneumonia.

Most common long term effect is amotivational syndrome.

ONE OF THE GATEWAY DRUGS

• MJ, tobacco, alcohol, and now misused prescription drugs are known as “Gateway” drugs.

• Using these makes one more likely to go on to using other illegal drugs.

OTHER FACTS TO KNOW

• About 33% of arrested reckless drivers tested positive for marijuana in one study (it DOES affect your motor skills!).

• Possession of pot is illegal and charges carry high fines & jail time.

CRYSTAL, CRANK, SPEED, ICE – TROUBLE BY WHATEVER NAME

METHAMPHETAMINE

METHAMPHETAMINE

• Meth is “cooked up” by drug dealers in clandestine labs.

• These labs can be found just about anywhere and are highly volatile and toxic to humans and the environment.

• The chemical vapors produced during cooking permeate the walls and carpets of dwelling, making them uninhabitable.

• These labs are often guarded by attack dogs and booby traps.

WARNING SIGNS OF METH LABS

• Unusual, strong odors similar to the that of fingernail polish remover or cat urine

• Renters who pay cash

• Large amounts of products such as cold medicines, antifreeze, drain cleaner, lantern fuel, coffee filters, batteries, duct tape, clear glass beakers and containers

• Residences with windows blacked out and lots of nighttime traffic.

METH USE EFFECTS

• Meth is a powerfully addictive and violent drug.

• Its use can result in fatal kidney and lung disorders, brain damage, liver damage, chronic depression, and other physical and mental disorders.

• Recent studies have demonstrated that meth causes more damage to the brain than alcohol, heroin, or cocaine.

METH EFFECTS

• Meth causes mental confusion, severe anxiety, and paranoia.

• Methamphetamine users are very aggressive which often results in violent behavior. (Stay away from people you know are doing this drug.)

• There is a direct relationship between methamphetamine abuse and increased incidents of domestic violence and child abuse.

“Is meth use worth jeopardizing my future?”

• Using meth is illegal.• It hurts your loved ones.• It is detrimental to your health

and physical appearance.• It destroys the environment. • It is wildly addictive &• Leaves ruined lives in its path.• Do we want soldiers and airmen

on a mission?

Short-lived fantasy high,long lasting real-life

nightmare.

COCAINE AND CRACK

COCAINE/CRACK

What’s the difference?• Cocaine is the powdered

form of the drug, usually sniffed up the nose, but sometimes diluted & injected into a vein.

• Crack is the purest form of cocaine and is smoked.

COCAINE/CRACK

• Addicts empty bank accounts, sell possessions, commit crimes, sell bodies, and betray loved ones to get more of the drug.

• In any form it causes immense cravings – it is highly addictive in a very short time.

• Users develop a marked tolerance – more is needed to achieve the same effect as before.

Physical Effects ofCOCAINE

• Increased blood pressure, heart rate, breathing, and temperature.

•Irregular heart rhythm & altered blood pressure.

•Heart attack, strokes and respiratory failure.

•Hepatitis or AIDS from shared needles.

•Reduction of the body’s ability to resist or combat infection.

• Violent, erratic, or paranoid behavior.• Hallucinations and coke bugs – the

sensation of bugs crawling over skin.• Confusion, anxiety and depression, loss

of interest in food or sex.• “Cocaine psychosis” – losing touch with

reality, loss of interest in friends, family, sports, hobbies, and other activities.

Psychological Effects of COCAINE

COCAINE/CRACK

“It won’t happen to me,” you say? • In a recent year over 165,000 emergency

room visits were due to cocaine use.• In that year, over 4500 users died from

cocaine, not including those murdered for using or selling it.

• Up to 75% of people who try cocaine will become addicted to it. Only 1 out of 4 who try to quit will be able to without help.

“Is cocaine use worth jeopardizing my future?”

•Do a line and you may do some time!

Legal when used as PRESCRIBED by a physician.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

• The nonmedical use or abuse of prescription drugs is a serious and growing public health problem in the U.S.

• Prescription drugs are legal – but only if you have a prescription for them.

• Doctors write prescriptions based on health conditions, body size and other factors. Using them without a prescription (or letting someone else use them) is illegal and dangerous.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

The most commonly abused prescription drugs are:

• Stimulants may cause increased or irregular heart beat, paranoia, or seizures.

• Narcotics (Pain Relievers): Can easily lead to addiction or serious overdose.

• Depressants cause slow brain functioning, confusion and memory loss.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

Many depressants have warning labels like, “Do Not use when operating motor vehicles or heavy equipment.” They can impair your driving ability the same as alcohol.

DRUG TESTING FORPRESCRIPTION DRUGS

• Effective 1 OCT 05, all specimens will be tested for Oxycodone.

• Remember – The use of bodybuilding supplements containing steroids are prohibited and are illegal.

• THC consumed in any form is prohibited.

WHAT IS AT STAKE?

“It’s my body, it’s my life...” is a line that can be very costly to:

• Your Family• Your Career• Your Future• Your Reputation• Your Life!

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Several helpful resources and websites are available:

• www.intheknowzone.com• www.saying-no.com• www.streetdrugs.org• www.health.org • www.freevibe.com• www.theantidrug.com

QUESTIONS?

For more information on substance abuse, its effects or treatment, please

contact your National Guard Joint Substance Abuse Office at

(334) 394-7559

JOINT SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROGRAM

(JSAP)

UNIT DRUG EDUCATION BRIEFING

1 October 2005