Current Drug Trends

Heather Wombough, M.S., L.A.C., N.C.C.

What is Currently “Popular”

• Heroin• “Molly”• LSD• DXM• Prescription Drugs• Salvia• Marijuana• Alcohol

Heroin• In 2011 and 2012 combined, the [Bergen

County] Prosecutor’s Office counted 130 heroin-related overdoses, 38 of which were fatal. 1

• On the rise in suburban towns• Injected or snorted• Connected to pain medicine• Withdrawal

1http://www.northjersey.com/news/Suburbia_s_deadly_secret_A_rising_death_toll_offers_tragic_proof_of_heroin_s_reach_across_North_Jersey.html

“Molly”• MDMA/Ecstasy• Re-branding success story• Parties/Concerts• Suicide Tuesdays – serotonin• Teeth grinding, anxiety,

insomnia, loss of appetite, seizures

• Danger of over hydration, dehydration, or hyperthermia

LSD• Hallucinogen• Generally ingested through

tablets, on blotting paper or a sugar cube

• Myth to cause a “good trip”• Babysitting

DXM• Hallucinogen• Dextromethorphan• Mild disassociative state• As of 2008 – 10% of American

teenagers• A.K.A. dex, red devils,

robo, skittles, tussin, syrup, velvet

drugabuse.gov

Prescription Drugs• Opiates

o Morphine, Codeine, OxyContin, Percocet, Vicodino Dreamy pleasant state of drowsiness

• Depressantso Xanax, Valium, Ambieno Mellow feeling, reduction of anxiety

• Stimulantso Ritalin, Adderall, Focalino Performance enhancement, weight loss, euphoric high

Salvia• Mint-Like Herb• Short, but intense, high• < 1 minute until effect• <30 minute high• Hallucinogenic• Salviadragon.com,

salviasupply.com, salviacult.com

• “Smoke Shops”

Marijuana• Legalization• Can be laced• THC• Addiction• Increased Potency• Bongs, Joints, Blunts• Brownies• Baggies

Alcohol• Binge Drinking• Drug combinations• Dangers include:

o Blacking outo Passing outo Vomiting

• Drinking & Driving

Aboutdrugs.us

Signs of Depressant Influence

• Includes Alcohol, and Prescription Depressantso reduced social inhibitions o divided attention impairment o slowed reflexes o impaired judgment and concentration o impaired vision and coordination o slurred, mumbled or incoherent speech o a wide variety of emotional effects, such as

euphoria, depression, suicidal tendencies, laughing or crying for no apparent reason, etc.

aboutdrugs.us

Signs of Stimulant Influence

• Includes Prescription Stimulants and “Molly”o Increased alertnesso Hyperactivityo Increased bodily functions (heart rate, blood

pressure, and breathing)o Enlarged pupilso Anxietyo Irritabilityo Increased energyo Changes in eating and sleeping patternso Hot and cold flasheso Respiratory problemso Hallucinations

Signs of Hallucinogen Influence

• Mood swings• Hallucinations• Jitteriness• Changes in heartbeat• Nausea• Chills• Numbness• Lack of coordination

Signs of Marijuana Influence

• Slow thinking• Slow reflexes• Reduced coordination• Problems concentrating• Reduced motivation• Dilated pupils• Bloodshot or glassy eyes• Dryness of the mouth• Increased appetite• Mood swings• Panic attacks• Anxiety and paranoia• Psychosis• Hallucinations• Delusions

Signs of Opiate Influence

• Includes Heroin and Prescription Painkillerso Slow breathingo Flushed skino Pinpoint pupilso Drowsinesso Nausea and vomitingo “Nodding Off”

http://www.mayoclinic.org/teen-drug-abuse/art-20045921

Why Teens Use Drugs?• Common risk factors for teen drug abuse

include: o A family history of substance abuse o A mental or behavioral health condition, such as depression,

anxiety or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) o Early aggressive or impulsive behavior o A history of traumatic events, such as experiencing a car

accident or being a victim of abuseo Low self-esteem or poor social coping skillso Feelings of social rejection o Lack of nurturing by parents or caregivers o Academic failure o Relationships with peers who abuse drugso Drug availability or belief that drug abuse is OK

What Parents Should Look For

• Smell like cologne or spray• Eye drops• Coming home in different clothes• Basement• Child goes straight to bathroom/takes a

shower• Large sums of money• Always asking for money – not seeing any

return• Bartering

What Should Parents Do?

• Ask your teen's views. Avoid long, boring lectures. Instead, listen to your teen's opinions and questions about drug use. Observe your teen's nonverbal responses to see how he or she feels about the topic. Encourage your teen to talk by making statements instead of asking questions. For example, saying, "I'm curious about your point of view" might work better than "What do you think?"

• Discuss reasons not to abuse drugs. Avoid scare tactics. Emphasize how drug use can affect things important to your teen — such as sports, driving, health and appearance. Explain that even a teen can develop a drug problem.

• Consider media messages. Some television programs, movies, websites or songs glamorize or trivialize drug use. Talk about what your teen has seen or heard.

• Discuss ways to resist peer pressure. Brainstorm with your teen about how to turn down offers of drugs.

• Be ready to discuss your own drug use. Think ahead about how you'll respond if your teen asks about your own drug use. If you chose not to use drugs, explain why. If you did use drugs, share what the experience taught you.

Summary• Potential for addiction• Interactions with other substances• Remember: Communicate and Set Limits• Utilize Resources to Help Your Teen

Heather Wombough, M.S., L.A.C., N.C.C.

Student Assistance Counselor(201) 445-7700 x. 6239

womboughh@glenrocknj.org