DRUGSGET THE FACTS.

FACT

In Hunterdon County, a survey of 9th & 11th grade students

found that...

• 3 out of 43 out of 4 have had at least ONE drink.

• 1 in 6 were 10 years or younger10 years or younger when they had their first drink!

• 1 in 4 have had five or more drinks in a row in the past monthpast month!

• 1 in 3 have tried marijuana, cocaine, or other illegalillegal substances.

• 1 in 6 have sniffed glue to get high.sniffed glue to get high.

CLEARLY,

THIS IS A PROBLEMPROBLEM THAT IS HAPPENING

RIGHT IN OUR OWN HOMES…

FACT

Young people who use alcohol and drugs are more likely to...

• Be victims or perpetrators of VIOLENCEVIOLENCE.

• Engage in unplanned and unprotected SEXSEX.

• Experience school FAILUREFAILURE.

• Experience serious INJURY or DEATHINJURY or DEATH from driving.

• Engage in behaviors with serious RISKRISK.

FACT

Youth who smoke are more likely

than others to drink heavily or use

illicit drugs later on in life.

FACT

In Hunterdon County...

• 1 in 4 high school juniors smoke cigarettes smoke cigarettes regularlyregularly. (That’s a lot of carcinogens!)

• Half of the freshmen report having tried cigarettes, some when even younger than 9 younger than 9 years old.years old.

THESE FACTS ARE ALARMING…

BUT THERE IS ALSO SOME

GOOD NEWSGOOD NEWS...

FACT

In Hunterdon County...

• 4 out of 5 high school Juniors and Freshmen DO DO NOT SMOKENOT SMOKE regularly!!!

• 2 out of 3 have NEVER NEVER used marijuana cocaine, or other illegal drugs!

• 1 in 2 report having NO ALCOHOLNO ALCOHOL in the last 30 days!

IT IS IMPORTANT FOR STUDENTS

WHO DON’T WHO DON’T USEUSE

TO KNOW THAT THEY ARE NOT ALONE!

FACT

Most youth who do not use alcohol, tobacco, or illicit drugs

credit their parents for their decision…

TALK TO YOUR PARENTS!

Do you suspect drug use?

Drugs…

See The Signs

Recognition of substance abuse Recognition of substance abuse symptoms is not always clear symptoms is not always clear

cut.cut.

While other variables may be While other variables may be the cause of symptoms or the cause of symptoms or

behaviors, there are certain behaviors, there are certain signs that occur often with signs that occur often with

alcohol/drug abusers. alcohol/drug abusers.

If you notice any of these signs, If you notice any of these signs, take the time to check it out!take the time to check it out!

PHYSICAL SIGNS

THE EYES

• Watery• Bloodshot• Extremely wide or extremely small

pupils• Overuse of eyedrops

THE FACE

• Marks like paint or ink near the nose• Spots or sores around the mouth

ODOR

• Odor of a particular substance• Body & breath odor unusual

NEEDLE TRACKS

• Skin boils & sores• Injection points and scars, which can get

infected

PHYSICAL HEALTH

• Sudden or rapid loss of weight• Deterioration in skin tone and color

APPETITE EXTREMES

• None or very little• Huge, especially for sweets or liquids• “Munchies”

IMPAIRED COORDINATION

• Clumsy• Loss of balance• Problems with eye-hand coordination

STOMACHACHES

• Complaints of abdominal pain (may be related to withdrawal symptoms)

• Also look for tremors or shakes

PSYCHOLOGICAL SIGNS

UNUSUAL EMOTIONAL EXTREMES

Hysterical crying or hysterical laughter

PARANOIA or FEAR

Convinced someone “is after them;” very suspicious

CHANGE IN PERSONALITY & ATTITUDE

Sudden or dramatic changes in character, demeanor,

manners, and/or behaviors.

LACK OF INTEREST

Loss of interest in former goals; Loss of interest in classes, sports,

or hobbies (as compared to prior interest)

SLEEP PATTERNS

Constantly sleepy; Unusual patterns of sleep; Sleep during

unusual times of the day

ZZZZZZZZ’s

ALERTNESS

Overly stimulated or, lack of alertness;

Difficulty concentrating

CHANGE IN TEMPERAMENT

Unusual flare-ups of temper; Extreme anger;

Angry all the time.

PERCEPTUAL DISTORTIONS

Sees or hears things incorrectly or bizarrely; Hallucinations or delusions

(seeing things that aren’t there; hearing voices in their head;

unusual/odd beliefs)

MEMORY PROBLEMS

Difficulty with day to day memories, and/or long-term

memory

X

DECISION-MAKING

Difficulty making simple decisions; Poor

judgement

SOCIAL CHANGES

CHANGES IN FRIENDS

Rejection of former friends; New friends who seem to “get

into more trouble.”

SOCIAL WITHDRAWAL

Isolated from old friends and family; hides in room or away

from others.

ALIENATION OF FAMILY

Turning away from family members; Avoids contact.

X

BEHAVIORAL CHANGES

UNUSUAL BEHAVIORS

AT HOME

Suddenly locking doors; burning incense; etc.

MONEY ISSUES

Borrowing money; sudden excess of money; money missing from the

home

EXCUSES AND RATIONALIZATIONS

Unbelievable reasons given for behaviors,

needs, etc.

CHANGES IN APPEARANCE

Sudden changes in hair, clothing, accessories.

CARRYING UNUSUAL PARAPHERNALIA

Unusual items such as rags, socks, toilet paper rolls, etc; More typical tems such as

candy containers, white-out, etc. If it seems odd, check it out!

MISSING MEDICATIONS

FROM THE HOME

Keep an eye out for missing over the counter and prescription

drugs.

SCHOOL-RELATED CHANGES

SKIPPING CLASSES

Missing classes or tardiness

SUDDEN TRUANCY

Occassional or prolonged

LOWER GRADES

May be a drop in one grade (from B’s to C’s)…

not necessarily a dramatic drop.

DRUGS…Get the help

Do you suspect, or know, that someone close to you is using drugs?

Would you like to find out more information on how you can talk to your children about substance abuse?

Do you know someone who needs help right away?

If you suspect that someone is using substances, or if you have any

questions about substance use and abuse and what you can do, call:

HUNTERDON HELPLINE

at 2-1-1 or 1-800-272-4630

for CONFIDENTIAL Information and Referral

(www.helplinehc.org)

Or you can call directly to these

Hunterdon County Agencies:

ALCOHOL/DRUG COUNSELINGALCOHOL/DRUG COUNSELING

1) Hunterdon Behavioral Health

Outpatient Services - Alcohol & Substance Abuse

2100 Wescott Drive, Flemington, NJ 08822 (908) 788-6401

2) Hunterdon Drug Awareness Program

8 Main Street, Flemington, NJ 08822 (908) 788-1900

3) Hunterdon Prevention Resources

89 Park Avenue, Flemington, NJ 08822 (908) 782-3909

4) Catholic Charities

6 Park Avenue, Flemington, NJ 08822 (908) 782-7905

SUICIDE PREVENTIONSUICIDE PREVENTION

1) Hunterdon Medical Center - Emergency Services

* 24 Hour Emergency Counseling

(908) 788-6400

2) Hunterdon Helpline 2-1-1

(800) 272-4630

COUNSELING SERVICESCOUNSELING SERVICES1) Hunterdon Medical Center

* Provides therapeutic services for all ages

2100 Wescott Drive, Flemington, NJ 08822 (908) 788-6401

2) Family Crisis Intervention Unit

* 24 Hour Crises Counseling (908) 788-6401

3) School Based Youth Services

Services to all Hunterdon County High Schools and many Elementary Districts; Offers counseling, support, health, recreation & general information (908) 788-6401

4) Catholic Charities: Individual, family, & group therapy

6 Park Avenue, Flemington, NJ 08822 (908) 782-7905

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASESDISEASES

HIV/AIDS - Testing & Counseling

(908) 806 - 4893