A.W.A.R.E.

The facts: First some good news!
• Current marijuana use decreased from 27% in 1999 to 20% in 2007.
• Current cocaine use increased from 2% in 1991 to 4% in 2001 and then remained steady from 2001 (4%) to 2007 (3%).
• Lifetime inhalant use decreased from 20% in 1995 to 12% in 2003 and then remained steady from 2003 (12%) to 2007 (13%).
• Lifetime use of ecstasy among high school students decreased from 11% in 2003 to 6% in 2007.
• Lifetime use of methamphetamines decreased from 9% in 1999 to 4% in 2007.
• Lifetime heroin use did not change from 1999 (2%) to 2007 (2%).
• Hallucinogenic drug use decreased from 13% in 2001 to 8% in 2007.
(Source: CDC, 2007)

The Facts:  The bad news!
• While illicit drug use has declined among youth, rates of nonmedical use of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medication remain high.
• Prescription medications most commonly abused by youth include pain relievers, tranquilizers, stimulants, and depressants.
• In 2006, 2.1 million teens abused prescription drugs.
• Teens also misuse OTC cough and cold medications, containing the cough suppressant dextromethorphan (DXM), to get high.
• Prescription and OTC medications are widely available, free or inexpensive, and falsely believed to be safer than illicit drugs.
• Misuse of prescription and OTC medications can cause serious health effects, addiction, and death
(Source: CDC, 2007)

What do the facts mean?
• Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug among youth in the United States.
• Prescription and OTC medications are widely available, free or inexpensive, and falsely believed to be safer than illicit drugs.
• Misuse of prescription and OTC medications can cause serious health effects, addiction, and death
• The youth of our society are discovering new and different mood and mind altering substances.
• The misconception is, “if it is a prescription or comes from the pharmacy, it is safe.”
• The real problem is not going away, it is adjusting to the changing of the times.
(Source: CDC, 2007)

Why does the youth of our society become involved in substances abuse?
It is a Rite of Passage. A rite of passage is a ritual, experience and/or practice that marks a change in a person’s social status.
In our society there is little to no mark of person’s change from childhood to early adulthood.
Adolescence is a transitional point with no clear beginning and no clear end.

Why do the youth of our society abuse substances?
What is the reward?
1. Belonging
2. Acceptance
3. Uniqueness
4. Finding “my niche”
5. To be heard/validated

The Sad News…
• Society does not often prepare our youth for the time of moving from childhood into adulthood
• Subculture form with our youth that have no specific means of reaching out
• Coping skills are often neglected to deal with emotional, mental, and physical changes
• Our youth are exposed to mixed messages:
- “Just say no” vs. I got caught using cocaine, but I make millions of dollars a year playing sports.
- There are no jobs so you have to deal in drugs to survive.
- I am an adult so I can do whatever I want no matter how it makes me look, but you’re just a kid and have to do what I say.

The Real Mixed Message
• Alcohol/Drug Related Values: “You can drink or use drugs, just don’t screw up” vs. Healthy Values: Self empowerment and self responsibility.
• Alcohol/Drug Related Beliefs: “Only weak people have alcohol and drug problems” vs. Healthy Beliefs: Strength is using what I know and knowing what I do.
• Alcohol/Drug Related Ideas: “I am an adult when I say so, I drink therefore I’m an adult” vs. Healthy Ideas: Being an adult is not when I can drink or use drugs, it is when I am responsible for myself.
• Alcohol/Drug Related Choices: “Everyone I know drinks or uses drugs” vs. Healthy Choices: If I do not follow blindly, I do not have to fail.
• Alcohol/Drug Related Expectations: “Fit in no matter what” vs. Healthy Expectations: I can be unique and still be okay with me.