NEWS YOU CAN USE

Substance Abuse Resources

If over the counter and prescription drug abuse is a concern in your county you may wish to utilize this letter to inform pharmacists, physicians, parents and others of your concerns. That is exactly what we did in Allegany County Maryland. Thirteen (13) middle school students were suspended for bringing prescription drugs to school. This was a helpful tool to inform parents, grandparents, and the entire community to be vigilant of this type of activity.

You Are Not Alone
There is no typical alcoholic or drug dependent person. You may be old or young; male or female; married, divorced, or living with someone; practice any religious observance or none; live in the country, city, or suburb; earn a lot or a little; come from any ethnic or racial background; and live any type of lifestyle. Many times individuals or loved ones find themselves lost in a sea of wory with no idea of what to do next. Worry can be useful, but you don't have to do it alone. There is help. More than 15 million Americans - 1 out of every 11 - suffer from a drinking problem. There also are many who use drugs the same way. If you are concerned that you or a loved one has a drug or alcohol problem, help is as close as your telephone.

National Toll Free Resources are listed below:

The National Drug & Alcohol Treatment Hotline: 1-800-662-HELP
The National Clearinghouse for Alcohol & Drug Information: 1-800-729-6686
Covenant House Nineline: 1-800-999-9999
Girls & Boys Town National Hotline: 1-800-448-3000
Parents' Resource Institute for Drug Education: 1-800-853-7867

Websites:

http://www.maryland-adaa.org
Maryland Alcohol and Drug Abuse Administration

http://www.nida.nih.gov
The National Institute on Drug Abuse

http://www.health.org
The National Clearinghouse for Alcohol & Drug Information

http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org
Alcoholics Anonymous

http://alateen.org
Alateen

http://al-anon.org
Al-Anon

http://www.na.org
Narcotics Anonymous

http://ncadd.org
The National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence

http://niaaa.hih.gov
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse & Alcoholism

Warning Signs:

Unexplainable behavior and mood swings
Secretiveness
Loss of interest in daily activities
General changes in overall attitude
Physical decline
Has unexplained money or constantly needs money
Receives phone calls (often short ones), at odd hours of the night
Lies about activities
Withdrawal from responsibility
Always keeps jacket on
Physical evidence of drugs such as: rolling papers, seeds, clips, etc.
Use of cover-ups like: mouth spray, eye drops, perfume, etc.

Alleghany County Board of Education Letter to Residents

NEW FREE YOUTH MARIJUANA PREVENTION RESOURCES AVAILABLE NOW !

The National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign offers free marijuana-prevention resources for community coalitions and other organizations to use in local outreach efforts.

Marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug among American youth. Research shows that youth marijuana use can lead to significant health, social, learning and behavioral problems at a crucial time in kids' lives, when their young bodies and minds are still developing.

We encourage you to take advantage of the tools below and share them with your communities. If you would like to discuss specific or tailored anti-drug information needs for your organization, please contact the Media Campaign at nyac@aed.org.

New Free Marijuana-Specific Youth Drug-Prevention Resources:

* "School's Out" fact sheet, tips for parents and feature articles for many teens, summer vacation means more free time and less responsibility. During the summer months, more teens use marijuana for the first time than at any other time of the year. These timely materials provide parents and other adult caregivers with facts and tips about simple things they can do to help prevent their teens from using marijuana this summer. Download at www.MediaCampaign.org/Marijuana/Index.html.

* Youth posters
Two new marijuana-prevention posters for youth audiences feature contemporary design and hard-hitting information about marijuana. Download at www.MediaCampaign.org/Publications/Prevention.html. Order copies through the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information at (800) 788-2800. Ask for document number AVD 170 ("Words") or AVD 171 ("Skater").

* Youth postcards
Two new colorful postcards debunk myths and provide facts about marijuana. Both include a link to the Campaign's Web site for youth, www.Freevibe.com, as a resource for young people who want to know more. Download at www.MediaCampaign.org/Publications/Prevention.html. Order copies through the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information at (800) 788-2800. Ask for document number AVD166 ("Pot Quiz") or AVD167 ("Fact or Fiction").

Additional Free Marijuana-Specific Youth Drug-Prevention Resources:

* "Wake Up to the Risks of Marijuana: A Guide for Parents" This brochure for parents helps dispel popular myths and misconceptions about marijuana and provides tips on how parents can keep their children from using the drug. Order free copies of the brochure and include your local information. Download at www.TheAntiDrug.com/pdfs/Risks_Marijuana_ParentGuide.pdf. Order copies through the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information at (800) 788-2800. Ask for document number PHD956.

* "What Parents Need to Know about Marijuana" Asian-language brochures Bilingual brochures for Asian American parents are available in English and Chinese, Korean or Vietnamese and focus on the dangers of marijuana use. A Cambodian-only version is also available. Additional in-language information and resources are available at www.TheAntiDrug.com. Order copies through the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information at (800) 788-2800. Ask for document number PHD846 (Cambodian), PHD844 (Chinese), PHD847 (Korean) or PHD845 (Vietnamese).

* "Debunking the Myths About Marijuana" video
This seven-minute video highlights the latest research and features commentary by leading experts about the effects of marijuana on youth. It also includes television ads for youth on the negative consequences of marijuana use, for parents on the importance of monitoring their kids and for the general audience on the importance of community coalitions. View or order at www.MediaCampaign.org/Marijuana/Index.html. Order copies via phone through the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information at (800) 788-2800. Ask for video VHS170.

* "Marijuana - Debunking the Myths" Strategizer
This resource from Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America provides scientific information about the harmful effects of marijuana, presents research-based information on the myths and misperceptions youth and adults hold about marijuana, and outlines strategies to reduce and prevent youth marijuana use. May be used as a companion to the video. Download at www.MediaCampaign.org/Marijuana/Strategizer.pdf. Order copies through the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information at (800) 788-2800. Ask for document number MS923.

* Youth posters (for American Indian and Alaskan Native audiences) Designed for American Indian and Alaskan Native youth, three color posters feature young people and their Anti-Drugs the things that stand between them and using marijuana. Download at www.MediaCampaign.org/mg/Print.html. Order copies through the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information at (800) 788-2800. Ask for document number AVD155 ("Drumming"), AVD156 ("Pottery") or AVD157 ("Dancing").

* Marijuana quizzes for youth and adults
There is a widespread misperception among teens today that smoking marijuana is a relatively harmless alternative to other drugs. But just how "harmless" is marijuana? Two marijuana quizzes one for youth and one for adults separate marijuana fiction from fact. Download at www.MediaCampaign.org/Marijuana/ActionKit.html (see items #10 and #11).

* Other easy-to-use materials and resources are available in the Campaign's online Marijuana Awareness Kit to use as-is or to customize for your community, including: the latest research and fact sheets about the risks of youth marijuana use, talking points on youth marijuana use, suggestions for local outreach and activities with template materials, including a news release, op-ed piece, letters to the editor, feature stories, a presentation for use with community organizations and more! Download components or the entire Kit at www.MediaCampaign.org/Marijuana/ActionKit.html.

Contact us at nyac@aed.org to discuss your organization's specific anti-drug information needs!

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MEDIA CAMPAIGN FLASH is your source of the latest news on the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign. Feel free to forward this information.

ABOUT THE MEDIA CAMPAIGN: The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy's National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign targets youth ages 9-18, with emphasis on middle adolescents (ages 11-16), their parents and other adults who influence choices young people make to lead drug-free lives.

To get the word out across every economic and cultural boundary, the Media Campaign uses a mix of modern communications techniques to educate and empower young people to reject illicit drugs. The Media Campaign also teams up with civic and non-profit organizations, faith-based groups and private corporations to enlist and engage people in prevention efforts at school, at work and at play. For more information on the Media Campaign, check out www.MediaCampaign.org.

2004 Maryland Adolescent Survey Shows Continued Successes, but Concerns and Remaining Challenges in Reducing Substance Abuse by Adolescents


Grasmick Says Let there be no doubt. We still have work to do,
We cannot afford to rest on our successes.


BALTIMORE (October, 2005) - The Maryland Adolescent Survey reports the overall trends for ascohol, tobacco, and other durg (ATOD) use by our adolescents have continued the decline that began in 1988. Local school systems continue to support programs to prevent violence in and around schools, prevent the illegal use of alcohol and other drugs by young people, and foster safe and drug-free learning environments that support academic achievement.

The Maryland Adolescent Survey is designed to look at the nature and extent of substance abuse, indicate trends in use by adolescents, point out safety issues, and to help state and local officials develop prevention program priorities.

"While the decline in drug use by Maryland's adolescents is consistent with trends in national reports, let there be no doubt that we know that we still have work to do," said State Superintendent of Schools Nancy S. Grasmick. "Schools play a powerful role in establishing and sustaining the 'no use' message for our children and consistent with several national reports, our data highlights the importance of the role that parents and families play in the lives of their children. Additionally, as other national surveys articulate linkages between substance use and lower reading and math scores, we cannot overemphasize the importance of our continued diligence in implementing and monitoring our alcohol, tobacco, and other drug prevention programs. The MSDE and our 24 LSS's will continue to do everything possible to create and maintain safe, disciplined, and drug-free schools for all students and staff. We cannot afford to rest on our successes."

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Trends in Usage


The MAS data show long-term successes and remaining challenges in reducing the use of ATOD by adolescents. Over the last decade, data indicate an almost 50% decline in the percentage of students using alcohol (Last 30 days), a 72% and 58% decline respectively in eighth and tenth grade smokers, and a 56% and 51% decline respectively in marijuana use among sixth and eighth graders. There are, however, concerns with the 2004 MAS results when compared with the 2002 MAS. Data on sixth graders show a slight increase in the use of alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, and inhalants and eighth graders report slight increases in the use of inhalants, methamphetamines, LSD, crack, and other lesser-used but extremely dangerous substances.

The Maryland Adolescent Survey is modeled after the national measure, Monitoring the Future, and shows that even among 12th-graders, Maryland adolescents use alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana less frequently than their peers. In 2004, 48.0% of 12th-graders nationally reported using alcohol in the last 30 days while 44.1 % of Maryland 12th-graders did. Similarly, in 2002, 25.0% of 12th-graders nationally reported using cigarettes while 19.8% of Maryland 12th-graders did. The gap narrows in terms of reported marijuana use, with 19.9% of 12th-graders nationally and 21.9% of Maryland 12th-graders reporting use.

Trends in Substance Use in Maryland: Successes, Concerns

Since 2002, alcohol use has declined substantially among tenth grade students,while among eighth grade students it is slightly down and the percentage of sixth grade students who reported unsing alcohol in the last 30 days is slightly up. In 2004 compare to 2002, sixth grade students report increased 30-day usage rates for alcohol (5.0% in 2002 vs. 5.4% in 2004) and inhalants (1.9% in 2002 vs. 2.2% in 2004). Eighth grade students report small increases in the use of 12 of the 18 substances with 5 of the 12 substances showing around a 0.3 percentage point increase. Tenth grade students in Maryland report a decline or remained the same in 30-day suage rates of all substances except smokless tobacco, which showed a small increase of 3 percentage points from 2002 to 2004. Twelfth grade substance users also report a decline for three substances. These substances include amphetamines, LSD, and estasy (3.1% in 2002 vs. 1.9% in 2004. Use of marijuana among twelfth graders increased slightly from 21% to 21.9%.

Parents and Peers Make a Difference

The 2004 data shows that the influence of parents and peers continues to be a crucial deterrent to alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use. When asked whether or not their parents would approve of their substance abuse, users were more than three times as likely to think that their parents would approve of their beer drinking than non-users; more than four times as likely to think that their parents would approve of their cigarette use than non-users; and almost seven times as likely to think that their parents would approve of their marijuana use than non-users.

The influence of friends follows a similar pattern. Adolescent users reported that their friends approve of substance use at much higher rates (nearly twice as much for beer, about twice as much for cigarettes, and 2.5 times as much for marijuana).

Many of the prevention models used around the state focus on peer involvement. The data underscores the effectiveness of such efforts as SHOP (Students Helping Other People), SHOUT (Students Helping Others and Understanding Themselves), and SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions).

A drug prevention curriculum is mandated for grades kindergarten through 12 with an emphasis on the importance of parents and communities in reinforcing messages and resistance skills necessary for true drug and violence prevention.

Setting Priorities

"We will use this data in conjunction with local school systems and partner organizations, such as local health departments, prevention professionals, local mental health care givers, PTAs, and law enforcement agencies, to analyze and refine current prevention curriculum, early identification strategies, peer leadership models, and parent and community involvement initiatives," said Lynn Linde, Branch Chief for Student Services and Alternative Programs at the Maryland State Department of Education. "Our goal is to provide school environments that are conducive to learning and optimal achievement. That cannot occur if alcohol, tobacco, or other drug use is getting in the way."

Background

The findings are part of the 2004 Maryland Adolescent Survey, conducted every two years to determine the nature, extent, and trend of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use among adolescents. The Maryland Adolescent Survey collects data on a variety of factors that research shows reduce the potential for drug abuse and violence, such as substance abuse knowledge, perceived risks of substance use, influence of parents and friends, and resistance to peer pressure to drugs. Maryland's safe and drug-free schools programs support education and prevention activities to reduce alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use, as well as violence in schools.

The survey was administered to a total of 34,529 sixth-, eighth-, 10th-, and 12th- grade students at 325 schools, representing all 24 local school systems during December 2004. The response rate was 84%.

Please be advised.
To access the complete report you will be leaving MSAPPA.com and have to use your web browser's back button to return to MSAPPA, log on to Maryland Public Schools and click on Data and Special Reports, then 2004 Maryland Adolescent Survey.

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