Alcohol, Drug and Youth

1. Alcohol, Drug and Youth Abacus Counselling, Training and Supervision Ltd.

2. Introductions • Significant Mountain. • Significant body of water. • Marae/place that means a lot to you. • Family Connections – Whakapapa • Name • One life goal.

3. How much is too much? Are these signs of a problem? John has a couple of joints every night, but only after the kids are asleep, so they will never know. Possibly – Discuss Fred has 2 glasses of wine a night for health reasons No – Probably not depends on size of glass. Matthew has 2 wines a night and 10-15 more only on Friday nights to celebrate the end of the week Possibly – Discuss Troy smokes “P” once a week (but never has to pay) Yes

4. Why we Use • Biological - Brain development (pre frontal cortex), impulsivity, depression, anxiety other co existing dependency's, gender, ethnicity. • Psychological – Skewed Thoughts and feelings, poor coping strategies, classical and/or operant conditioning • Social/environmental – Family, community, school environment, peer and other social groups, technology.

5. Alcohol

6. Alcohol - number one drug in NZ • Alcohol-related harm costs are estimated at $1-4 billion per year in NZ • Lost productivity costs = $1.17 billion per year • Crime related costs = $240 million yearly • Social welfare costs = $200 million yearly • 70% of A&E admissions alcohol-related • 75-90% of weekend crimes are alcohol related • NZ adults: 12% non-drinkers; 62% are moderate drinkers; 25% are binge drinkers (all ALAC stats)

7. Alcohol • Ethanol in alcohol causes the intoxicating effects –it is water and fat soluble • CNS depressant; achieves peak level in 45 minutes and one standard drink can be processed (detoxed) by the liver per hour • Effects depend on: alcohol content, how quickly you drink, addition of food/drugs, your size, whether you are male or female, general health and “tolerance”

8. What is a standard drink?

10. Growing youth binge drinking • In NZ one in every three young people aged between 18-24 yrs typically drink more than 7 standard drinks of alcohol each week (1 in 6 drink 11+ units each time) • Recent research in UK found- 27% of 15 year olds surveyed had been intoxicated 20+ times • Growing binge drinking habits and favourite alcohol drink of young people is RTDs (ready to drink alcohol plus sugar flavouring and caffeine) • Cody's bourbon and cola 12%Kristov vodka and orange cask 9% Woodstock bourbon and cola 8% Cruiser Black vodka 7%

11. Marijuana or Cannabis

12. Effects on mind and body • Effects • relaxed, drowsy, euphoria • disinhibited, talkative • reduced memory, focus and concentration • mood incongruency (e.g laugh at a funeral) • paranoia • apathy/disinterest

13. The drug A psychoactive drug • Psychoactive ingredient – Delta-9 THC • Wide range of THC content e.g. 1%-30+% • Central nervous system depressant • Fat soluble– stays in the body weeks

14. Cannabis • Marijuana, dope, pot, hash, dak, grass, skunk • Fat soluble– stays in the body days/weeks • Psychoactive ingredient – Delta-9 THC • Central Nervous System depressant • Methods of use: smoking joints (leaves/heads); in water pipes (bongs); inhaling fumes of hash, resin, oil (more concentrated); eating/drinking (food/tea) • Effects: Relaxed, drowsy, euphoria, disinhibited, talkative, red eyes, reduced memory, focus and concentration; mood incongruency (eg laugh at a funeral), paranoia, apathy/disinterest

15. Cannabis Health Issues • Cannabis contains 3x more tars, 5x more carbon monoxide than cigarettes and is hotter in contact with throat/lungs. If you also smoke cigarettes– increased risk • Smoking bongs cooler, but forces smoke deeper into lungs – less THC, more tars/carcinogens- increased risk • Some people experience anxiety/panic attacks, depression, and flashbacks • People vulnerable to schizophrenia can have a first episode of the illness after cannabis use, or can relapse after using cannabis • Mixing cannabis with other drugs (eg alcohol) can create worse adverse effects or unpredictable reactions

16. Research • A study interviewed 50,000 members of the Swedish Army about their drug consumption and followed up with them later in life. Those who were heavy consumers of cannabis at age 18 were over 600% more likely to be diagnosed with schizophrenia over the next 15 years than those did not take it. • Experts estimate that between 8% and 13% of all schizophrenia cases are linked to cannabis use during teen years

17. The Swedish study of 50,000 military conscripts found heavy use of cannabis increased the risk of suicide by four times (400%). • A Victorian study of 2332 adolescents found • Weekly use increased the risk of suicide attempts among females by five times • Weekly use as a teenager doubled the risk of depression and anxiety • Daily use at the age of 20 boosted the risk of depression and anxiety by five times (500%)

18. Research A 15-year study of more than 750 NZ adolescents (2005) • Overall people were 4.5 times more likely to be schizophrenic at 26 if they were regular cannabis smokers at 15 (compared to 1.65 times for those who did not report regular use until age 18) • Possibly using cannabis while the brain is still developing boosts levels of the chemical dopamine in the brain, which can directly lead to schizophrenia

19. Summary • Cannabis can be a strong depressant with hallucinogenic effects • Although commonly used, most would be unaware of its negative affects • Has some positive effects for those with physical conditions (eg anti-nausea) • Can have risk for adolescents (schizophrenia, depression, anxiety) • Illegal and now tested for work, driving

20. Synthetic Weed Abacus Counselling, Training and Supervision Ltd

21. What Is it • Experimental compound to mimic THC • JWH-018, JWH-073, AM2201 and many others • Developed in 1960’s • Black-market usage began in late 2000’s • K2/Spice/kronic are brand names that stuck, all are types of synthetic cannabinoids • Hundreds of different names/brands

22. What is it • Structurally diverse class of compounds • Synthetic and bind to cannabinoid receptors in the body (stronger affinity than THC) • These compounds do not contain cannabis • Psychoactive compounds have a higher potency than THC (at least 4 times greater) • JWH-018: made for experimental purposes by Clemson University Researcher John W. Huffman, PhD in the 1990’s

23. Lots of types • Strengths vary • Unknown additives • No health Warnings

24. K2

25. Cost/benefits • Effects: excitement, euphoria, fast-talking, feel empathy- increased sensory, Relaxing calming effects, Intense rush. • Costs: anxiety, paranoia, short term memory loss, nausea, shake’s headaches ; changes in body temperature, heart palpitations. • General: Cheap, Easy access, available, limited information on ingredients.

26. Synthetic Cannabinoids • Synthetic Cannabinoids chemical is sprayed on plant materials. • Plant materials are medium for chemical. • Often does not include plant material declared on package, synthetic cannabinoids also vary. • Bought at R18 stores • Price is close to street marijuana cost, $20 per gram Piggee 2009

27. Synthetic Cannabinoids cont • increased respiration rate, elevated blood pressure (reported up to 200/100-medically dangerous) • elevated heart rate (reported up to rate of 150-medically dangerous) • increased level of anxiety/agitation leading to panic attacks (possible suicide attempts)

28. K2/Spice and Psychosis • K2/Spice and marijuana can cause individuals with previously existing psychotic disorders to experience new or worsening symptoms. • Psychosis symptoms • Hallucinations • Paranoid Delusions • K2/Spice and marijuana can trigger the onset of a psychotic disorder in at-risk individuals • Family history • Presence of other mental illness Pierre 2011

29. Not Much Known • So far nothing is known about metabolism of the chemical compounds in K2/Spice drugs-some may be toxic and/or pharmacologically active-differing from batch to batch in kind/amount of applied drugs (synthetic) thus resulting in higher risk of accidental overdosing which has already been seen & is on rise with these drugs with increase numbers of ER & hospital incidents reported.

30. Chemists • People order synthetic cannabinoid chemicals on-line • Buy plant matter “St John’s Wort or other plant materials” at nutrition store • Spray chemicals on plant matter • Sell for a great profit

31. Crystal Methamphetamine: Common methods of use Crystal meth appearance: Desoxyn tabs Snorted: injected: smoked:

32. Amphetamines, Speed, Methamphetamine and “P” • Class: group of CNS stimulant drugs producing wakefulness, hyperactivity, feelings of euphoria, increased energy and power • Methamphetamine is amphetamine with methyl added – more potent and quicker acting • Street names: speed, P, pure, burn, crank, goey, meth, crystal, ice, glass, yaba, tweak, chalk, go-fast, Tina

33. Effects of “P” • Tolerance develops rapidly • Some effects: over talkative, paranoia, psychosis and hallucinations; extreme mood swings, irritability, aggressive and anti-social behaviours • Puts body in “overdrive”: increased- respiration, temperature, pulse/BP, sleep disturbance, dilated pupils. Can lead to stroke, heart attack or kidney failure • “Tweaking” - used repeatedly for days with no sleep or food, causing steep crash (this is the most violent and unpredictable state)

34. Signs of “P” Use • Rapid speech/jaw movement- teeth grinding/decay, fidgeting, biting fingernails, picking at itchy dry skin/scabs, skin abscesses, dehydration, insomnia • Rapid weight loss, extreme fatigue, panic attacks, anxiety and extreme nervousness, dizziness, blank/dreamlike state, • Numbness, extreme sweating, runny nose/nose bleeds, excessive sniffing • High expenditure and drug associated crime. Withdrawal: Disorientation, confusion, apathy, irritability, itching, severe depression and suicidal thoughts/actions. After use, may have increased appetite and need long periods of sleep.

35. Signs of “P” use Examples of “meth mouth”

36. Before and After “P” Use (2)

37. Ecstasy (MDMA) • “Love drug”, “E”s, XTC, eccies, hug, adam • Class B stimulant and hallucinogenic – usual 1-2 tablets (75-100 mg) or powder/crystals - can be snorted or injected, eaten, or mixed in a drink • Known as a party/dance/rave drug, effect usually lasts 3-6 hours • Produces energising effects, distorted sense of time and perception, enhanced sensual awareness (visual, auditory and tactile), feeling of euphoria/well-being, empathy, love, mental clarity, and appreciation of music and movement

38. Mephedrone • 4 methylmethcathinone • Common names meow meow (mm-cat), white magic, bubbles, plant food • Effects: excitement, euphoria, fast-talking, feel empathy- similar to ecstasy (MDMA), reduced anxiety, increased sensory (auditory especially) – strong urge to re-use as fast tolerance; lasts about 2-3 hrs, awake several more hrs • Costs: anxiety, paranoia, short term memory loss, rashes, pain/swelling in nose and throat; changes in body temperature, jaw muscles tighten, teeth grinding associated with several deaths in Europe • General: cheaper to make than ecstasy; often mixed with ecstasy

39. The problem-severity continuum At-risk behaviour Moderate problems Severe problems No problems People can move up and down the continuum A small group A minority Most people