Teens and Alcohol

and Other Drug Use

AIS/Dhaka Middle School Parent Night

Objectives
To develop an awareness of teen

use of alcohol and other drugs in

the AIS/D community.

To present and share ideas and

strategies to help your child make

intelligent decisions about alcohol
and drug use.

Agenda
Self Reflection
Personal Experience Panel
Middle School Health Program/Data
Common Language
Signs to look out for
Developing and sharing strategies
Workshop Debrief

Self Reflection

When do you first remember

being exposed to mind altering

substances?

Personal Experience
Panel: Purpose
Purpose:
To hear the stories and

experiences related to a particular

issue(s).

To increase the listeners

understanding of an issue(s).

To help us attach personal

significance and commitment to a

particular issue

Personal Experience
Panel: Guidelines
Guidelines:
Each person is given equal time to
talk.

The listener does not interpret,

paraphrase, analyze, give advice

or break in with a personal story.

Confidentiality is maintained.

Introducing
Personal Experience Panel
Julia Koczot- gr. 11
Michino Hisabayashi- gr. 12
Zaraif Hossain- gr. 11
Ishaba Haque- gr. 11

Middle School Health

Program/Units
Tobacco
Alcohol
OTC`s
Prescription Drugs
Illicit Drugs

MS [Gr 7/8]
Use, misuse and abuse of drugs.
Effects drugs have on our bodies,
minds and on society.

Alternatives to drug use, treatment

programs available for those
addicted to drugs.

Refusal skills, situations to avoid

wise decision making

US Public School Data

Tobacco use. . .
There is a link between smoking and
drug/alcohol use among students

Alcohol and other drugs . . .

Alcohol is the #1 drug problem among
young people

50% of automobile accidents, violence,

suicide, and sexual involvement are the

result of alcohol use

Alcohol
78% of U.S. high school students

have consumed alcohol (more than

just a few sips) by the end of high
school

Source: National Institute on Drug

Abuse

Marijuana
38% of all U.S. high school seniors

have used marijuana in the last 12

months.

89% say marijuana is fairly easy

or very easy to get.

Source: National Institute on Drug

Abuse

Illicit Drugs
53 % of American young people

have tried an illicit drug by the time

they finish high school.

Source: National Institute on Drug

Abuse

Ecstasy
Club drugs such as ecstasy can lead
to depression, drug cravings,
paranoia (and in some cases
psychotic episodes), blurred vision
and dangerous increases in heart
rate and blood pressure.

Source: National Youth Anti-Drug

Media Campaign

DRUG SITUATION IN
BANGLADESH
Bangladesh is not a major producer

of narcotics, but is a trans-shipment

point.

Use and addiction rates among the

local population have increased.

Illegal substances are easily

available at a very low cost.

WHAT IS READILY
AVAILABLE?
low grade heroin (brown sugar)
(smoked)

Marijuana
Hashish
phensidyl (codeine-based cough
syrup)

PCP (angel dust)

Where are drugs sold?

Drugs can be bought anywhere at drug

houses in Mohammadpur, tea stalls,

Banga Bazaar, from rickshaw drivers,
restaurant back doors, Nuton Bazaar,
Kalachanpur and Badha behind Baridhara.

The cough syrup, imported from India, can

be bought at most pharmacies.

Common Language- A
Continuum of Use
Abstinence
Experimental Use
Social Use
Regular Use
Problem Use
Chemical Dependency

Common Language- A
Continuum of Use
Abstinence: No use
Experimental Use: I heard about it. I want to find out how
it feels. I want to try it out

Social Use: Strictly for social use with friends. Will drink or use
other drugs with friends.

Regular Use: Continual access to supply. Ritualized. Routine.

Every night at dinner or almost every time hanging out with
friends.

Problem Use: Begin having problems with school, work,

and/or family resulting from use. Problems with competence or

with meeting challenges.

Chemical Dependency: See next slide

Continuum of Use
Chemical Dependency
Creates problems for an individual, and he or she continues to
use anyway.

Afraid to talk about his/her chemical use, is hiding it, or is

defensive when others bring up the subject.

When a person uses alcohol or other drugs to achieve a feeling

of normal well-being.

Chemical controls the person rather than the person controlling

the chemical.

When a person craves alcohol or drugs for no good reason.

When a person is in love with a chemical and their primary
relationship is with his/her drug of choice.

Signs to look for

Mood Swings & Attitude
New Friends
Bad Performance in school
Physical Health
Evidence
Increased Secrecy
Little Things - fashion, hairstyle, breath mints, untidy room
Overt Signals

Parenting Strategies
Set appropriate limits: based on your childs needs,
capabilities, age, and trust.

Enforce limits: establish clear, specific limits and follow

through with consequences.

Continue relationship building: approach your children with

a sense of love and trust. Expect the best not the worst.

Team parenting: be predictable and work as a team.

Modeling: demonstrate healthy and appropriate behaviors at
home and in social settings.

Communicate/Face it head on: talk openly to your teens

about drugs and alcohol. Teach refusal skills.

Resources/Websites
http://www.theantidrug.com
http://www.drugfree.org
http:// www.factsontap.org
http:// www.zeenteen.org
http:// www.girlsanddrinking.org
http:// www.cdc.gov
http:// www.toosmarttostart.com
http:// www.pubs.niaaa.nih.gov

Resources/Books
Parenting for Prevention by David J. Wilmes
Choices and Consequences: What to Do When a
Teenager Uses Alcohol/Drugsby Dick Schaefer

Teens Under the Influence: The Truth About Kids,

Alcohol, and Other Drugs- How to Recognize the Problem

and What to Do About Itby Katherine Ketcham

Marijuana - What's a Parent to Believe? (Informed

Parent)by MD Timmen L. Cermak

The Big Deal About Alcohol: What Teens Need to Know

About Drinking (Issues in Focus) by Marilyn McClellan

Debrief- Exit Cards

I learned
I wish
In the future, I would like to learn
about