Parental Drug and Alcohol

Awareness Workshop

Vanessa RogersDRUG EDUCATION CONSULTANT

Workshop aims

• Increased awareness about alcohol, cannabis,

cocaine and Psychoactive Substances (formerly

known as ‘legal highs’)

• Information about the law and associated risks

of misusing drugs

• Informal advice on how to have a positive

conversation with children about drugs and

alcohol

• Where to go for additional information, support

and advice in Hertfordshire.

What is a drug?

A drug is any chemical you take that affects the way your body and / or mind works.

#myth-buster1

You have to be an expert to talk about

drugs.

FALSE

• You don’t need to be a drug expert to talk to your child about making sensible choices.

• Learning about alcohol units and basic drugs information will help.

• Go to www.talktofrank.com to find out more.

The basics

1. Not all drugs are ‘bad’.

2. Some drugs are controlled by age, some can be

bought ‘over-the-counter’ and others can only

prescribed.

3. Some drugs are illegal to make, buy, possess or

sell.

4. The legal status of Psychoactive Substances

has changed.

5. Drugs will react differently based on a wide

range of factors including mood, set and quality.

6. Any drug can be dangerous if misused.

Misuse of Drugs Act 1971

• Is the legislation that sets out illegal drugs

as Class A, B or C

• This is broadly based on harm to the user

and / or to society.

• The class affects the penalty for an

offence involving the drug.

• Drugs controlled under the Misuse of

Drugs Act are illegal to buy, possess,

produce, give away or sell.

Medicines Act 1968

• This covers prescription drugs and medicines

sold over-the-counter.

• Some drugs, e.g. prescription painkillers and

sleeping tablets, are illegal without a valid

prescription.

• Over-the-counter drugs include those you can

legally buy from a chemist or supermarket.

• Some of these can be misused so the quantity

you can buy is regulated.

#myth-buster2

All young people try drugs.

FALSE

• Myth is reinforced by stereotypes in the

media about the number of young people

trying drugs.

• This matters because perceptions of

‘social norms’ can shape behaviour.

Hertfordshire facts

• 25% of secondary aged pupils in

Hertfordshire said that they had an

alcoholic drink in the last week

• 11% of secondary aged pupils in

Hertfordshire said they had taken some

form of illegal drug

(Source: Hertfordshire Health Related Behaviour Survey)

National statistics

• 74% of 11 to 15 year olds say they have been

offered drugs.

• Most were offered drugs by an older peer or

sibling.

• 15% of 11-15 year olds have taken drugs.

• 38% have tried alcohol at least once and 8%

were drunk in the last week.

• Majority were first given alcohol by a family

member.

• 86% of those living with a non-drinker don’t

drink.

What should I say?

• Do remind your child that, despite media

stories, taking drugs is not the norm.

• Don’t echo messages in the media that

over-hype drug use and can reinforce the

idea that ‘everyone’s doing it’.

• Don’t glamorise alcohol and drinking.

• Do take the opportunity for everyday

conversations.

#myth-buster3

Only people with problems drink or

take drugs.

FALSE

• Anybody might choose to – regardless of gender, age, ethnicity and social background.

Exercise 1: Why?

100 adults were asked the question:

Why might someone choose to take drugs or drink alcohol, despite adverse health warnings?

Reasons for useto unwind after a stressful day …. to feel euphoric … for fun

… to feel nothing … to celebrate …to experiment …to rebel

to feel more confident … to work longer hours … why not?

… to enhance performance … to be sociable … to fit in …

to prevent / stop boredom … to alleviate emotional pain ...

other health problems … peer pressure ... experience …

to aid relaxation … to help creativity … because it is a habit

… to satisfy cravings … to avoid withdrawal symptoms …

to make it easier to express feelings … to help lose weight

… because it’s there … escapism … a hobby … it’s cheap .

. it helps concentration … to experience an altered state …

because it’s Friday … because it’s Saturday … just because ..

What can parents do?

Start talking about it early, e.g. at family meals.

Don’t scare children with exaggerated horror stories.

Use things like soap opera storylines as a prompt.

Explain your opinions and ask theirs.

Role-model healthy choices and ways to cope with

stress.

Be prepared to set clear boundaries.

Get to know their friends.

Encourage personal responsibility for choices made.

Trust them and let them know they have your support.

Ask for advice and support if you need it

Alcohol

Most common drug in the UK.

Widely available.

Socially acceptable.

Relatively cheap.

Factors that influence the effects of

alcohol

age

gender

experience

physical condition

how you feel

amount of food

eaten

other drugs or

medicines taken

Calculating the risksHEALTH

• Drinking any alcohol carries health risks.

• Safer drinking limits 2-3 units a day for women and 3-4 for men.

• No safer drinking limit for under 18’s.

• UK Chief Medical Officers’ Alcohol Review (2016) recommends men and women should not regularly drink more than 14 units of alcohol a week.

DRIVING

• Legal limit for driving is 35mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath.

• If you've drunk any alcohol, the safest bet is not drive at all.

#myth-buster4

Ways to sober up:

• Coffee

• Drinking water

• A cold shower

FALSE:

• Only time sobers you up.

• The liver processes alcohol at a rate of

about one unit per hour.

CannabisCannabis …Pot …Bud

…Marijuana … Skunk ...

Weed …Blow … Dope ..

Green …Ganja ... Hash

Cannabis Facts

• Cannabis is a depressant and

hallucinogenic drug.

• Looks like dried leaves, buds and flowers

or a black/brown block of resin.

• The mind-altering ingredient is THC.

• Levels of THC can vary from 2% to 20%.

• ‘Skunk’ contains higher levels of THC so is

stronger.

Cannabis use

• Often smoked with tobacco or inhaled in

other ways.

• Distinctive smell that clings to hair and

clothes.

• Effects: relaxation, increased senses,

slowing of thoughts, time seems to pass

more slowly, sometimes mild

hallucinogenic effects.

#myth-buster5

Cannabis is harmless

FALSE:

• Increased risk of mouth and lung cancer and other lung conditions.

• Can increase likelihood of psychosis.

• Risk of road traffic accidents whilst driving under the influence.

• Impaired judgement leading to increased risk of poor decision making.

Cannabis Quiztrue or false?

1. Cannabis is the widest used illegal drug in the

UK.

2. Most cannabis is imported into the UK.

3. Smoking cannabis will lead to mental health

problems.

4. If you are caught in possession of cannabis you

will only receive a caution.

5. The maximum for supplying cannabis is five

years in prison.

Cannabis & the Law

• Cannabis is an illegal substance under

class B of the Misuse of Drugs Act.

• Possession: up to 5 years in prison, an

unlimited fine or both.

• Supply and/or production: up to 14 years

in prison, an unlimited fine or both.

Cannabis & the Law

• Possession: up to

5 years in prison,

an unlimited fine or

both.

• Supply and/or

production: up to

14 years in prison,

an unlimited fine or

both.

Cannabis is a Class B

drug

Cocaine

• Erythroxylum coca is a high altitude South American shrub

• The leaves are the source of cocaine.

• The traditional method of coca use is to "chew" the leaves, producing a mild stimulation.

Cocaine Fact File

• Class A drug

• Coke; Crack;

White; Snow;

Charlie; Rocks,

Sniff, Gear.

• Euphoric Stimulant

• Powder form

usually snorted,

‘rocks’ are smoked.

Cocaine & CrackEFFECTS

• Feelings of well-being, increased focus and confidence.

• Loss of appetite.

• Can increase risk-taking behaviour.

• Some people become aggressive.

• Increased body temperature and heart rate.

CONCERNS

• Street cocaine is often impure.

• Anxiety, paranoia, dizziness, nausea/vomiting, kidney failure, seizure, stroke, and heart attack.

• Repeated snorting can cause severe damage to the nose.

• Smoking crack cocaine can cause breathing difficulties.

Psychoactive Substances

• Formerly known as

‘legal highs’.

• Mimic other illegal

drugs.

• Often used with other

drugs (alcohol).

• 6% of young people

say they have been

offered them.

• 2.2% say they have

tried them.

Legal Highs – information

1. Depressant: relaxant, sedating, mimic opiod-

like drugs (and alcohol)

2. Hallucinogen: mimic LSD-type drugs

3. Stimulant: mimic substances like cocaine,

ecstasy and amphetamines

4. Dissociative: feeling of detachment,

separation of mind and body, like ketamine.

5. Synthetic Cannabinoids: not derived from

cannabis plant, downer-type drug with

psychedelic properties.

Psychoactive Substances – Facts

• Substances that mimic the effects of other illegal

drugs, e.g. cocaine, cannabis, amphetamines

and ecstasy.

• Can range from herbal extracts that contain

caffeine to highly toxic synthetic chemicals.

• Few, if any, have been tested for toxicity and

can have serious adverse effects.

• Several deaths attributed to misuse. No long

term health research done yet.

• The law changed at the end of May 2016

Psychoactive Substances Act 2016

• Bans the production, distribution, sale and

supply of psychoactive substances (AKA legal

highs) which are intended for human

consumption.

• Shuts down ‘head shops’ and online dealers.

• Allows people, premises and cars to be

searched.

• Offenders face up to seven years in jail.

• However, possession by an individual not be a

criminal offence.

Nitrous oxide

• Laughing gas, NOS or ‘Whippits’

• Selling and distribution now an offence.

• Can no longer be sold on the high street or

festivals.

• Legal exemption for legitimate purposes

Nitrous oxide effects• Clear, sweet smelling gas that is produced

synthetically for sale

• Causes giddiness, a dreamy or floating

sensation, and a pain-free state.

• Inhaling it produces a short high.

• This can pose serious risks to the brain and

body when it’s used outside of a medical setting.

• Inhaling can result in a lack of oxygen to the

brain.

• Tolerance builds up, can be addictive.

#myth-buster6

You can tell if someone uses drugs.

FALSE

• It can be easy to miss potential indicators.

• You cannot know everything your child does when they aren’t with you.

• You cannot tell just by looking at someone.

• Secrecy and unexplained need for extra money

• Moody and uncommunicative

• Drugs paraphernalia

• Distinctive odour (skunk and cannabis)

• Change in appetite (‘munchies’)

• Impaired coordination, concentration, and memory

• Slowed speech, constant cough, chronic sore throat

• General disinterest and lack of motivation

• Red or bloodshot eyes (often masked by eye drops)

• Impaired tracking and visual distance

• Delayed decision making and distortions in time estimation.

Potential indicators

What can I do if I’m worried?

• If you are worried get help and support.

• Don’t make unfounded accusations.

• Especially if you think someone is under

the influence of alcohol or drugs.

• Don’t make threats or hasty decisions.

• Wait to talk it through.

• Make it clear it’s the behaviour you don’t

like, not the person.

Drugs paraphernalia

Information and support

1. FRANK

www.talktofrank.com

2. Al Anon

Confidential helpline on 020 7403 088

3. Adolescent Drug & Alcohol Service for

Hertfordshire (A-DASH)

A-DASH@nhs.net

4. �Family Lives

Confidential helpline on 0808 800 2222