Drugs

Drugs - A chemical substance, such as a narcotic or hallucinogen, that affects the central nervous system, causing changes in behavior and addiction.

There are many different kinds of drugs. Marijuana, cocaine, prescription, LSD and heroine are just a few.

These drugs fall into different catagories, depressants, stimulants and hallucinogenics. For more information click here: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/36682/three_categories_of_drugs_depressants.html

They can be smoked, ingested, insufflated, snorted or injected.

Effects

Drugs effect everyone that come into contact with them. Whether you are using them or living every day in fear that a loved one that is will overdose the effect they have is debilitating.

Drugs effects on the brain can be seen here: http://brainsource.com/brain_on_drugs.htm


Physical effects can be seen here: http://www.allaboutcounseling.com/drugeffects.htm

To see a story of this girl that went from cheerleader to crack addict that is now fighting to keep her baby click here: http://www.projo.com/extra/2006/tania/

Statistics

New Jersey Drug Facts & Statistics

New Jersey is located in a prime location which makes it a useful corridor for transportation of drug contraband and illicit currency. In NJ we have a marine terminal where imports come into the country. There are multiple airports, and access to buses, trains and cars.

2010 New Jersey Federal Drug Seizures
Cocaine: 900.78 kg
Heroin: 140.21 kg
Methamphetamine: 47.94 kg/26DU
Marijuana: 2,887.80kg
Hashish: 57.55 kgs.
MDMA: 3,790 DU
Meth Lab Incidents: 3 (DEA, state, and local)

State Facts
Population: 8,717,925
State Prison Population: 26,757
Probation Population: 143,315
Violent Crime Rate
National Ranking: 26

-New Jersey has the highest concentration of pharmaceutical and chemical firms in the country. Oxycontin, Percocet, and Vicodin (hydrocodone) are the most widely diverted licit controlled substances in the northern part of New Jersey.

-There have been recent shortages of cocaine in NJ due to state seizures, therefore the distribution of heroin has become more popular

-The Newark Task Force makes constant seizures of marijuana coming into New Jersey

- Methamphetamine: Methamphetamine is the most available and widely used clandestinely manufactured drug in the southern New Jersey area, and seizures within New Jersey reflect the seriousness of the threat it poses to the State of New Jersey.

For State Substance Abuse Statistics click here: http://nationalsubstanceabuseindex.org/new-jersey/stats.php

Prevention

Prevention: To hinder or stop from doing something; to keep from occurring; to act ahead of. The act of preventing or impeding.

"Prevention is better than cure" [Desiderius Erasmus Adagia]

Elementary School

K-5
by Lisa Tursini

Parents, it is your job to get involved in your child's life. Talking to your children is the key to prevention. You need to know what your child is doing and who their friends are. If you have a gut feeling that one of your child's friends is a bad influence, then you are probably right and you need to put an end to it. It is important that as a parent you enforce rules and consequences.

Parents know best and only want the best for their children. For elementary school children, there should be at least two days out of the school year devoted to educating the children about alcohol and drugs. These lessons will be held at the beginning of the school year and at the end. Parents will be invited to come in and sit with their child. The children will complete different activities teaching them about alcohol and drugs and even act out skits on how to just say NO.

Remember:
Preventer
Affectionate
Role Model
Educator
Nurturing
Trustworthy
Strong

Here is a good site for parents: http://www.theantidrug.com/

Middle & High School

Grades 6-12
by Michele Lloyd

It is stupid to think that every student will stay drug free. We know that many of teens will experiment with some kinds of drugs, but before you pick up that drug of choice you need to know what it is really doing to the body. This program plans to show and explain exactly how drugs affect the body for short and long-term periods. It is important that they understand exactly what they are doing to the brain. This program will explain to students how the brain works normally and then when on drugs. It will also include personal testimonies from real drug addicts who would like to help stop others from starting drugs. Teens need to be scared to pick up a drug, and not feel confident that addiction will not happen to them. This program plans to not sugarcoat being addicted and starting drugs. It needs to be real for teens to understand what they are dealing with.

Along with this lesson, we plan on taking advantage of having our guidance counselors at school. There is usually one in the school to specifically talk about addiction and abuse. There needs to be more of these in the school, and each student must see them once a week to discuss issues and stresses that are in their everyday life. Sometimes students do not reach out or help when needed. If you can catch the reason why one feels like they should start taking a drug, then it may eliminate more teens from taking drugs.

Along with a weekly talk, there should be more afterschool activities. There should be an intramural program for students who are not interested in being on a team sport, but likes athletics. There should also be afterschool clubs for art, poetry, and music (other than band, theater, and chorus). Keeping more students involved and busy will eliminate time that they have to take drugs. Doing these things should help teens from starting an addiction.

Teachers should encourage parents to play an active role in drug prevention. Let parents know about drug take back programs to get prescription drugs out of homes in your district.

The College Years

Prevention & Personal Experience
College Years
by Brianne Mahoney

-Entering college can be a new and exciting time in a young adults life and they will be faced with many new challenges. One of these challenges is how to say no to drugs and alcohol. In many cases this will be their first time out on their own without their parents to answer to. This is why a drug and alcohol class should be given to incoming freshman to prevent them from making risky decisions.

In my own personal experience I was caught underage drinking several times in my first two years of college. My freshman year I was caught once in the dorm rooms with my friends playing beer pong which only resulted in me having to go talk to the Dean and receiving a "warning." The second time I was caught was on my birthday my sophomore year in which my friends and I were drinking in a dorm room celebrating. This time the Dean sent my friends and I to an alcohol abuse class. The last time I was caught in the dorms was a Thursday night when my friends and I were drinking boxed wine before going out to a party. This resulted in a $500/per person, another alcohol abuse class, being put on social probation, and probation from our sorority.

If I could give advice to any incoming college freshman I would tell them to be smart and try to stay away from alcohol as much as possible. It is unrealistic to say never drink in college, but it has serious consequences. I lost a whole semester in my sorority, the sorority that I was Vice President of. I set a bad example for all of my sisters that looked up to me and most of all I let myself and family down. Underage drinking can have serious consequences and I wish I was informed of them before I entered college.