MARIJUANA INTERVENTION COMMITTEE

Can the Coalition respond as a community to what is happening to youth in Holmes

County

Mixed messages about medical marijuana and marijuana legalization is blamed for the increased use among teens.

Past year marijuana use among eighth-graders jumped from 14.5% to 16%

Daily marijuana use for eighth-graders was 1.2%

Daily marijuana use for tenth-graders was 3.3% Daily marijuana use for twelfth-graders was

6.1% (2010 Monitoring the Future Survey)

Marijuana Use On the Rise(Federally-funded survey of 46,482 students)

Marijuana Use (Holmes County Students)

Holmes County Data

Marijuana, Youth, and Keeping a Positive Outlook

Marijuana Youth and Keeping a Positive Outlook

Community Involvement Including Parents

Need for Community Intervention

Effects of MarijuanaThe Brain

The brain and its activity functions.

Parts of the brain that are affected by THC (marijuana).

The main active chemical in marijuana is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol or THC

THC acts upon specific sites in the brain, called cannabinoid receptors, kicking off a cellular reaction that leads to the “high”

The highest density of these receptors influence pleasure, memory, thinking, concentrating, sensory and time perception, and coordinated movement

(NIDA)

Effects of MarijuanaThe Brain (cont.)

Marijuana increases heart rate by 20-100 percent shortly after smoking and may last up to 3 hours.

In one study, it was estimated that marijuana users have a 4.8-fold increase in the risk of heart attack in the first hour after smoking the drug.

This may be due to increased heart rate as well as the effects of marijuana on heart rhythms, causing palpitation and arrhythmias.

(NIDA)

Effects of MarijuanaThe Heart

Marijuana smoke contains carcinogens and is an irritant to the lungs.

Marijuana smoke contains 50-70 percent more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than tobacco smoke.

Marijuana users usually inhale deeper and hold the smoke longer, which increases the exposure to the carcinogens.

Marijuana smokers show dysregulated growth of epithelial cells in their lung tissue, which could lead to cancer.

(NIDA)

Effects of Marijuana The Lungs

A number of studies have shown an association between chronic marijuana use and increased rates of anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia.

Some of these studies have shown age at first use to be an important risk factor, where early use is a marker of increased vulnerability to later problems.

At this time, it is not clear whether marijuana use causes mental problems, exacerbates them, or reflects an attempt to self-medicate symptoms already in existence.

(NIDA)

Effects of MarijuanaMental Health

Research clearly demonstrates that marijuana has the potential to cause problems in daily life or make existing problems worse.

Studies have shown marijuana impaired several important measures of life achievement, including physical and mental health, cognitive abilities, social life, and career status.

Workers who smoke marijuana have increased absences, tardiness, accidents, and job turnovers.

(NIDA)

Effects of MarijuanaDaily Life

To raise awareness in a positive atmosphere through community interaction.

To focus and give credit to the youth who are “Saying No” and are following the “Above the Influence” model.

To provide a source of positive community interaction by pursuing the possibility of a youth center.

Focus of the Marijuana Intervention Committee

Created for the National Youth Anti Drug Media Campaign

A program of the Office of National Drug Control Policy

Their goal is to help teens stand up to negative pressures or influence. The more aware you are of the influences around you, the better prepared you will be to face them, including the pressure to use drugs, pills, and alcohol.

“Above the Influence”

YES !Holmes County Youth are

worth the effortTHE FUTURE OF OUR

COMMUNITY LIES IN THEIR HANDS

Can the Coalition Respond as a Community to What is Happening to Youth in Holmes County?