media literacy rx drug abuse
TRANSCRIPT
By
Taos Alive
Every day, we are bombarded with information and images from a wide variety of media, including:
Age of Information & Misinformation
Media and Us
When faulty information motivates a decision that affects our health, the consequences can be far more serious
1. Who paid for this media message? Why? 2. Who is the “target audience”? What
words, images or sounds suggest this? 3. What is the text (story) of the message? 4. What is the subtext (hidden message)? 5. What lifestyles, values and points of
view are represented? 6. What part of the story is not being told?
Deconstructing Media
Deconstruct This!
Disclaimers in TV commercials : Why? Do you think disclaimers tell you all the side effects? Does the doctor?
TV commercials
Superfluous
Know Somebody Like This?
Teen Marketing
Rx drugs advertised to teens on the web :
Insomnia ED
Acne
What I heard about prescription drugs (pills)
About RX (prescription drugs)
What I know first-‐hand
About RX (prescription drugs)
America constitutes 5% of the worlds population and we use 80% of the opioid supply
Manchikanti L, Singh A. Therapeutic Opioids: A Ten-Year Perspective on the Complexities and Complications of the Escalating Use, Abuse, and Nonmedical Use of Opioids. Pain Physician. 2008; 11. S63-S88.
Why is this so?
A Community In Pain
What is prescription (Rx) Drug Abuse?
Prescription drug abuse is when someone takes a medication inappropriately, such as: • Without a prescription • In a way other than as prescribed • For the “high” elicited
Commonly Abused Rx Drugs
Opioids—Usually prescribed to treat pain
Stimulants—Most often prescribed to treat ADHD
Central nervous system (CNS) depressants—Prescribed to treat anxiety and sleep disorders
For more facts, visit PEERx at http://teens.drugabuse.gov/peerx
The Problem
Every day in the United States, 2,000 teenagers abuse Rx drugs for the first time.
Rx drugs are the most abused drug by teens after alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco.
Physical
Psychological
Emotional
Consequences to RX drug use/abuse
Painkillers
• Overdose-‐ Slow, shallow breathing, clammy skin, convulsions, respiratory depression and arrest (stop breathing), coma, death.
• Longer Term Effects-‐ Addiction, physical dependence, paranoia, hallucinations, dementia, severe withdrawal symptoms when teen stops taking the drug, including deep depression and suicidal thoughts, need to take more of the drug or a combination of drugs to produce the same high, possibly leading to overdose, higher risk of graduating to heroin
• Psychological side effects: anxiety, impaired judgment, inability to concentrate and learn, apathy, agitation, depression
effects of RX Abuse
Heroin
Common Painkiller Common Painkiller
Our brain can’t tell the difference
Depressants
• Overdose-‐Shallow respiration, clammy skin, dilated pupils, weak and rapid pulse, respiratory depression and arrest (stop breathing), coma and death
• Long term effects-‐Addiction, dependence, severe withdrawal symptoms, need to take larger doses to achieve the same effects
• Psychological side effects: poor concentration, feelings of confusion, disorientation, impaired judgment and memory, lowered inhibitions, rage, hostility, depression, amnesia, paranoia
Effects of RX Abuse
Stimulants
• Overdose-‐ Agitation, increase in body temperature, hallucinations, heart failure, nervousness, convulsions and death
• Long term effects-‐ Addiction, high fever, convulsions, heart failure, overdose, paranoia, aggressiveness, extreme anorexia, thinking problems, visual and auditory hallucinations, delusions, panic, suicidal tendencies, severe dental problems
• Psychological side effects: restlessness, delusions, hostility, irritability, insomnia, anxiety, agitation, nightmares
effect of Rx Abuse
Over the Counter Drugs
• Long term effects-‐ Addiction, insomnia, panic attacks, psychosis, high-‐blood pressure, damage to nerves, muscles and tissues in large intestine, coma
• Psychological side effects: impaired judgment, restlessness, euphoria, cold flashes, dizziness, diarrhea
Effects of RX Use
Time release medications are designed to release the medication slowly in the system over a period of time. If a pill is crushed then all of the medication will be released all at one time and can cause an overdose and even death.
Time Release Meds
Do you know of anyone who has overdosed on prescription drugs?
• Drug overdose was the leading cause of injury death in 2012. Among people 25 to 64 years old drug overdose caused more deaths than motor vehicle traffic crashes.
• Teen admissions to treatment facilities for addiction to prescription pain relievers increased by 300% since the mid-‐1990s. Average age for first time users is now 13 to 14.
• A 2013 survey in NM found that 12.3% of high school students and 7.8% of middle school students had used prescription drugs not prescribed to them.
• Today, New Mexico leads the nation as the #3 state of deaths due to drug overdose.
Why should you care?
Taos Co. High School Students 2013
Drug Overdose Deaths Rates 2013
Call 911
Call the 24/7 poison control line 1-‐800-‐222-‐1222
Narcan/Naloxone
What to do in case of an overdose
• Only take medications that are prescribed to you
• Follow your doctors instructions when taking medication
• Dispose of any unused medication
• Keep your medication in it’s original container
• Read and follow warning signs on all prescriptions
• Do not mix prescription drugs or OTC drugs with alcohol or other illegal drugs
• Avoid driving when taking medications that indicate so
What can you do to protect yourself
Local Drop Box
Questa & Taos Police Dept.
Taos Alive
575-‐779-‐6853
www.taosalive.com
Holy Cross Hospital Outreach Tri County Community Services
737-‐3373 24 hour line at 758-‐1125
Taos/Picuris Indian Health Services Taos Pueblo Police Department
Pharmacy 758-‐4224 758-‐8645
For Further Information