THE EFFECTS OF DRUGS ON YOUR

CHILDREN

SERGEANT JOSEPH HOEBEKE

HUDSON POLICE DEPARTMENT

Class Objectives

Types of Drugs – WHAT WE SEE AS THE MOST COMMON ABUSED DRUGS BY OUR YOUTH Cannabis Type Drugs

Prescription Drugs

Inhalants

Signs and Symptoms of Drug Use (specified categories)

Patterns of drug abuse

Parents Rights

Some Interesting Data

DID YOU KNOW: 7% of New Hampshire teenagers abuse drugs,

alcohol or both, landing New Hampshire among the seven states with the largest problem (The Annie E. Casey Foundation’s annual Kids Count Data Report). Information published in August 2, 2015 Eagle Tribune.

“Our substance abuse crisis is the most pressing public health and safety challenge facing our state, ESPECIALLY FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE” (Gov. Maggie Hassan, 2015).

What this presentation will not do… You will not be an expert in drug identification, nor will you

be an expert in detecting impairment caused by many of the substances discussed in this presentation.

This presentation is not intended to scare you, but make you aware of the challenges many of children face relative to the topics of drug use and drug abuse.

I say this as a police officer and a parent: YOU KNOW YOUR CHILDREN BETTER THAN ANYONE

ELSE. IF YOU FEEL AS THOUGH YOUR CHILD IS ABUSING DRUGS AND/OR ALCOHOL, SEEK HELP FROM TRAINED PROFESSIONALS.

IGNORING A PROBLEM WILL NOT MAKE IT GO AWAY!

CANNABIS

Marijuana

Common Street Names: Chronic, Ganja, Hydro, Mary Jane, Weed, Kindbud…etc.

Marijuana is a mind-altering drug / Active ingredient is THC or Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol

Marijuana is a Schedule I substance (high potential for abuse)

Hydroponic (method of growing plants using mineral rich solutions) marijuana street value = $5,000 to $8,000 a pound

Synthetic Drugs:A Cause for Concern

Synthetic marijuana (Spice or K2) Herbal mixtures laced with synthetic chemicals similar to THC. Like marijuana, synthetic cannabinoids stimulate receptors all

over the brain. But unlike marijuana, sometimes the body can’t deactivate spice. The liver breaks the drug down, but in some people those broken down bits keep circulating in the blood, stimulating the brain, making them high – or psychotic.

Sale has been illegal under federal law since 2011. Still perceived as a safe alternative to marijuana. In August 2014, there were 44 overdoses from synthetic

marijuana in a one week period!!! Spice makers try to get around current laws by changing

the chemical compounds, making it more difficult to test the products, and prove they are in violation of law.

SPICE

VAPORIZER PENSHIDING MARIJUANA USE

“If I am running a school or a house, and I have a nose, I can tell if my kids are smoking pot. But if they're using a vape pen, forget about it.”

Vaporizer Pens (continued)

Virtually indistinguishable from a high-end e-cigarette.

The latest versions of e-cigarettes contain a battery-powered heating element that vaporizes a liquid containing nicotine. Vape pens for pot use the same mechanism, but the devices are optimized to vaporize the active molecules in concentrated marijuana oils, not nicotine. And just as with e-cigs, there's no fire or smoke.

Most vape pens don't actually vaporize the marijuana plant. They're loaded with marijuana concentrates, or "hash oil": a viscous, yellow resin chemically extracted from the plant. In many places, that extraction often occurs in somebody's kitchen — which can be explosive and dangerous.

The concentrates can be strong. Really, really strong. Marijuana flowers can contain up to about 20 percent THC, the psychoactive chemical that makes you feel high. But the concentrates can contain up to 90 percent THC.

Many first time users say they almost fainted when they took their first hit.

Butane Honey Oil (BHO)A Hazardous New High

Super high potent type of hash.

The ‘dabs’ of oil can be vaporized and inhaled without the pungent smell of marijuana.

Produces a soaring high for even long time marijuana users with a high tolerance for the drug.

THE DANGERS

The synthesis of butane hash oil (BHO) is a particularly dangerous drug-related activity that can produce explosions and structure fires.

This high-potency product is made by extracting cannabinoids from marijuana plants with butane gas, then evaporating the butane to leave behind concentrated cannabinoids with up to 85% THC concentration.

https://youtu.be/4gFgvCi-JGw

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS:Be on the Lookout (BOLO) Cannabis Drugs

Marked reddening of the inside of the eyelids

Odor

Marijuana debris in the mouth

Body tremors

Eyelid tremors

Relaxed inhibitions

Increased appetite

Impaired perception of time and distance

Disorientation

Duration of EffectsUsual Methods of AdministrationOverdose Signs

DURATION OF EFFECTS: Will exhibit effects for 2-3 hours; although

impairment may last up to 24 hours without awareness of effects.

Can be smoked or taken orally

METHODS OF ADMINISTRATION: Smoked

Oral

OVERDOSE SIGNS **: Fatigue

Paranoia

THE EYES DO NOT LIE!!!

Marijuana may dilate pupils…

Prescription Drugs – Oxycodone (Dissociative Anesthetic)

OxyContin, Percocet, Percodan

High risk of abuse.

Abusers often dissolve or scrape away the time release coating.

Abusers subject to extreme withdrawal symptoms.

Prescription Drugs – Vicodin (Dissociative Anesthetic)

Hydrocodone and Acetaminophen (increases effects of hydrocodone)

Pain reliever

Withdrawal symptoms can be extreme.

Prescription Drugs – Klonopin (Depressant)

Used legally to treat panic disorders.

A depressant or mood stabilizer.

Commonly abused

Prescription Drugs – Ritaline (Stimulant)

Ritalin is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children.

The increased use of this substance for the treatment of ADHD has paralleled in its abuse among adolescents and young adults who crush these tablets and snort the powder to get high.

Youngsters have little difficulty obtaining methylphenidate from classmates or friends who have been prescribed it.

Greater efforts are needed to safeguard this medication at home and school.

Prescription & Over-the-Counter Medications Accessibility, Invincibility, Pill Taking

Society

Prescription and OTC drugs such as cold medicines, pain relievers, sleeping aids, and even ADHD medicines are commonly abused by young people.

They are readily available, and can be more dangerous than other drugs.

Some side effects include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, coma, and even death.

Abusing prescription drugs is a growing problem in the US, therefore, start talking to your child today about the dangers of drugs.

Prescription &Over-the-Counter Medications

Although the proper use of prescription drugs can serve a legitimate medical purpose, misuse can lead to overdose, addiction and even death.

Think about your household…I am sure many parents in this room are prescribed some form of medication.

Where do you keep those drugs? Are the readily accessible? Would you even notice if one or two missing?

The problem is that prescription drugs are easily accessible to our children.

Signs and Symptoms:Be On the Lookout (BOLO)Depressants Uncoordinated

Disoriented

Sluggish

Thick slurred speech

Drunk-like behavior

Drowsiness

Droopy eyes

Dissociative Anesthetics

Droopy eyelids

**On the nod**

Low, raspy, slow speech

Dry mouth

Facial itching

Euphoria

Fresh puncture wounds

Nausea

Track marks

StimulantsRestlessness

Body tremors

Excited

Euphoric

Talkative

Exaggerated reflexes

Anxiety

Grinding teeth

Redness to nasal area

Runny nose

Loss of appetite

Insomnia

Increased alertness

Disorientation

Flashbacks

Duration of EffectsMethods of AdministrationOverdose Signs

DepressantsCan range from 1-16 hours

Oral and injected (occasionally)

Shallow breathing, cold clammy skin, rapid, weak pulse, coma.

PUPILS WILL LIKELY BE NORMAL SIZE

Dissociative Anesthetics

Heroin is 4-6 hours

Methadone Up to 24 hours

May vary greatly

Smoked, oral, injected, snorted.

PUPIL SIZE WILL BE CONSTRICTED

StimulantsCocaine: 5-90 minutes

Amphetamines: 4-8 hours

Methamphetamine: 12 hours

Can be snorted, smoked, injected, or taken orally

PUPIL SIZE WILL BE DILATED

CONSTRICTED PUPILS:THIS IS WHAT THEY LOOKS LIKE

INHALANTS

Breathable chemical vapors that users intentionally inhale because of the chemicals' mind-altering effects.

The substances inhaled are often common household products that contain volatile solvents or aerosols.

Produce a high that resembles alcohol intoxication.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS:Be on the Lookout (BOLO) Residue of substance around the nose & mouth

Odor of substance

Possible nausea

Slurred speech

Disorientation

Confusion

Bloodshot, watery eyes

Lack of muscle control

Flushed face

Non-communicative

Intense headaches

Duration of EffectsUsual Methods of AdministrationOverdose Signs

DURATION OF EFFECTS: 6-8 hours for most volatile solvents

Aerosols have a very short duration

METHODS OF ADMINISTRATION: Insufflated

OVERDOSE SIGNS : Coma

Pupil size will most likely be normal, but in some case dilated.

https://youtu.be/-ydbSbMFLYM

OTHER TYPES OF DRUGS

Alcohol use among teens remains at historically low levels.

Reduced use of inhalants and less use of cocaine.

Fewer teens smoke cigarettes than smoke marijuana.

PATTERNS OF ABUSE

Changes in friends. Negative changes in school.

Missing school

Declining grades

Increased secrecy about possessions or activities. Use of incense, room deodorant, or perfume to

hide smoke or chemical odors. Subtle changes in conversations with friends.

More secretive (using coded language or text messages.

Change in clothing choices: new fascination with clothes that highlight drug abuse.

PATTERNS OF ABUSE (continued)

Increase in borrowing money. Evidence of drugs abuse: i.e. pipes, vapor pens,

rolling papers, small plastic baggies. Evidence of use of an inhalant: i.e. nail polish

remover, correction fluid, common household chemicals.

Bottles of eye drops, which might be used to mask dilated or bloodshot eyes.

New use of mouthwash or breath mints to cover the odor of alcohol.

Missing prescription drugs, especially narcotic and mood stimulators.

YOU KNOW YOUR CHILD BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE You can also look for signs of depression,

withdrawal, hostility, or carelessness with withdrawal, hostility, or carelessness with grooming.

Some of these signs also indicate there may be a deeper problem with depression, gang involvement, or suicidal thoughts.

Be on the watch for suicidal thoughts.

Be on the watch for these signs so that you can spot trouble before it goes further

Talking to your Children about Drugs

Brief screening/intervention

A conversation in the hallway, in the car ride home or on the field can make a difference.

Empathize with teens

Validate common stressors facing teens (pressure to excel academically/get into college, fit in with peers, find their place in the world).

Provide healthy alternatives for coping (exercise, picking up a sport, drug-free social activities).

Talk to your Children about Drugs

“Denormalize” the behavior While 1 in 5 teens are abusing drugs, 4 in 5 are not.

Debunk common myths All drugs are dangerous.

Addictive.

It’s not okay to use/misuse drugs, even “once and a while.”

If you are a parent Set limits and let teens know you will be

disappointed. Lead by example.

Talking to your Children about Drugs

Give teens an escape route Teach them how to get out of a bad situation. Suggest a response they can use so they

don’t feel “uncool.” “I don’t want to ruin my season/get in trouble with the

coach.”

“I have to do something with my parents really early tomorrow morning.”

“I’m the designated driver.”

“I’m not interested.”

“No, thanks.”

Parental Rights

Has your child’s grades dropped?

Do they appear withdrawn?

Change in friends associates?

Change in appearance?

Have they lost interest in their ‘normal’ involvement of things?

Are you missing things?

Can you search your child’s room?

YOU ARE NOT ALONE

There are people who can help in the event you suspect your child is abusing drugs and/or alcohol.

Contact your health care provider, mental health counselor, police department, and school guidance counselors.

WE ARE IN THIS FIGHT TOGETHER.

THIS IS NOT ONLY A FAMILY ISSUE, THIS IS A COMMUNITY ISSUE.

Questions?