William Gladden Foundation

Welcome to the William Gladden Foundation library of educational materials about Substance Abuse. These publications are FREE to read on-line or download to hardcopy and reproduce.

Studies of substance abuse among America's young people reveal that up to 70% of school-age children have experimented with substances. By their senior year, 93% of all teenagers will have tried alcohol and nearly 65% will have experimented with illicit drugs. The most abused substance in adolescence is alcohol, followed by cigarettes and marijuana. The average age of first alcohol use is 12, and the average age of first drug use is 13.

The Parent's Resource Institute for Drug Abuse reports that children who use drugs are significantly more likely to carry a gun to school, take part in gang activities, think of suicide, threaten harm to others and get into trouble with police than children who abstain.

These findings are "warning signs" to parents, educators and others who work with or care about young people. Not only do children put their physical and emotional health at risk when using and abusing substances, they also present a danger to other individuals and to society.

Alcohol & Alcoholism, by Waln K. Brown, Ph.D., 811 words, 3 pages. Alcohol is a drug classified as a depressant. It is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and goes directly to the brain. Alcohol is the most commonly abused drug in the United States. It can be addicting when consumed regularly or in large amounts. Alcohol is a physically addicting drug and produces psychological dependence. Alcoholism is a chronic, progressive, potentially fatal disease characterized by physical addiction, tolerance to the effects of alcohol and withdrawal symptoms when the user attempts to reduced or stop consuming alcohol. Alcoholism is the third leading cause of death in the United States and is responsible for about 20% of the population in mental hospitals and 35% of suicides.

Amphetamine, by Waln K. Brown, Ph.D., 698 words, 3pages. Amphetamine is a man made drug that stimulates the central nervous system. The effects of amphetamine are similar to cocaine, producing a temporary high that results from increased physical and mental energy. Street names such as “speed” and “uppers” best describe the effects of amphetamine. In pure form, amphetamine comes in tablets or capsules the user takes orally. Abusers and addicts may grind amphetamine into a powder and inhale it into their nostrils, or make a solution and inject the drug into their veins. When taken orally, amphetamine affects the central nervous system within 30 minutes, and continues to do so for up to 14 hours. When snorted or injected the effects occur in minutes and last one to two hours.

Anabolic Steroid Use Among High School Students, by J. Frederick Garman, Ph.D., 4,147 words, 15 pages. High school students use anabolic steroids for many reasons. Most use them to get stronger and grow more muscle so they can become better athletes. Others use them for cosmetic purposes, to develop their physiques further and to look strong and healthy. Although the reasons for using anabolic steroids may seem harmless, these drugs have a dangerous effect on the user's health. Steroid users are trading short-term gains in their physiques for long-term health problems, many of which are irreversible, including premature death. Anabolic steroids adversely affect more than the user's physical health; psychological and social problems also usually result. There is a heightened potential for aggressive behavior. Family relationships become strained. Friendships disintegrate. School performance suffers. As the user becomes more involved with the physical changes anabolic steroids promote, psychological dependency occurs. Anabolic steroids are dangerous drugs. Their use by humans for non-medical purposes presents moral, ethical, social, psychological and physical problems that users, parents, coaches, teachers, physicians and others must understand and resolve.

Barbiturates, by Waln K. Brown, Ph.D., 688 words, 3 pages. Barbiturates are man made drugs that affect the central nervous system by depressing the nerve signals in the brain (thus the term “depressant”). The classification of barbiturates is as a sedative-hypnotic; that is, a drug that causes relaxation, relief from anxiety, and sleep. Barbiturates come in the form of capsules, tablets or liquids. Brand names for barbiturates manufactured by United States drug companies tend to end in “al” (such as Amytal, Seconal and Phenobarbital). Most users take barbiturates orally. However, some abusers inject them intravenously for a quicker effect. Barbiturates are very addicting. How quickly the user becomes addicted depends on factors such as his or her tolerance to the drug, the frequency of use and the amount taken. However, even small doses taken for a few days can cause withdrawal symptoms when the user stops taking barbiturates.

Blood-Alcohol Concentration, by Waln K. Brown, Ph.D., 835 words, 3 pages. Blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) refers to the percentage of alcohol in the blood and determines your level of intoxication. "Proof" measures ethyl alcohol content expressed as a number twice the percentage of alcohol present. For example, 100-proof rum = 50% alcohol. The percentage of alcohol contained in alcohol products varies. For example, fortified wines have higher alcohol content than do table wines, and light beers have lower alcohol content than malt liquors do. How much beverage one consumes is just as important as percentage of alcohol in determining BAC. For example, 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine and 2.5 ounces of liquor contain the same amount of alcohol. This is determined by multiplying the volume times the percentage of alcohol. The resulting number is the "proportional weight."

Children Of Alcoholic Families, by Waln K. Brown, Ph.D., Thomas A. Newnam, B.A. and Robert M. Wilson, Ph.D., 4,013 words, 16 pages. Some experts estimate that 30 million American children live in alcoholic families. Many of these children will be so dramatically affected by growing up in an alcoholic household that they, too, will become tomorrow's alcoholics and their children, like themselves, will suffer the consequences of growing up in an alcoholic family, and so on, from one generation to the next. The early identification and treatment of children of alcoholic families is a crucial challenge for everybody who works with or cares about the future of children, the family and American society. The information contained in this publication attempts to meet this crucial challenge. The application of this information can make an important difference in determining the effects of alcoholism on children of alcoholic families.

Children of Alcoholic Parents, by Waln K. Brown, Ph.D., 770 words, 3 pages. Between 30 and 50 million American children live in families where at least one parent has a serious drinking problem. A term for these children is “Children of Alcoholics” (COAs). One of four COAs becomes an alcoholic, compared to one in 10 children in the general population. They also are more likely to marry alcoholics. Studies suggest that social, emotional and physical factors play a part in passing on alcohol problems from one family member to another.

Cocaine, Crack And Kids, by Waln K. Brown, Ph.D., and Wendy S. Snyder, M.A., 4,025 words, 16 pages. Coca was initially introducted to the scientific community. Early experiments with coca were disappointing and did not create much interest. By the mid-nineteenth century, however, scientists discovered that the coca plant was the source of a powerful drug. They called the drug "cocaine" and began to use it as an anesthetic and in other medical applications. Non-medical uses for cocaine increased after acceptance by the medical community. Perhaps the most famous non-medical use was in the soft drink, Coca-Cola. The non-medical use of cocaine became widespread in America between the late 1800s and early 1900s. The Harrison Narcotic Act of 1914 made the non-medical use of cocaine illegal. This law gave rise to the illicit sale and use of cocaine in America that continues today. For the past 35 years, the use of cocaine has grown dramatically and the quantity available for sale in the United States has reached an all-time high. Likewise, the sale and use of cocaine processed into "crack" has become epidemic. Cocaine and crack are HIGHLY ADDICTIVE and VERY DANGEROUS drugs. Their use can - and often does - result in psychological or physical problems, death or other human suffering. What is most disturbing is the use of cocaine and crack by children. Many of these young people are either unaware of or indifferent to the harm these drugs can cause them or others.

Co-dependency, by Waln K. Brown, Ph.D., and Robert M. Wilson, Ph.D., 831 words, 3 pages. Co-dependency is a behavior pattern in which the family members of individuals who abuse alcohol or other drugs “enable” them to continue their addictive behaviors. Co-dependents build their lives around the addicted family member and, in the process, become dependent on the addict’s chemical dependency. In other words, the addict may be addicted to alcohol or other drugs, but the co-dependent is addicted to the addict. Members of the addict’s family are most at risk to become co-dependent. This is especially true for the addict’s spouse and children. In fact, addiction tends to be a family affair. For example, most alcoholics come from families in which there is a history of alcoholism.

Creating a Drug-Free School, by Waln K. Brown, Ph.D., 688 words, 6 pages. A drug-free school is one in which school personnel, parents, students and the community unite to combat the use of alcohol and other drugs. School must be a safe place in which to live and learn. Students who use drugs do not learn as well as drug-free students, and schools where drugs are used are not as safe as drug-free schools. All schools should strive to have drug-free students. Drug education should start in kindergarten and run through the twelfth grade. All students should be educated about drugs and their dangers as part of their total academic experience.

Drinking, Drugs & Driving, by Waln K. Brown, Ph.D., 813 words, 3 pages. Drunk driving is the crime most often committed in the United States. About 50% of all automobile accidents result from alcohol abuse. Every 21 minutes, a drunk driver kills an American citizen. Drivers between the ages of 16 and 24 (about 20% of all licensed drivers) account for 40% of fatal alcohol-related accidents. With alcohol, performance impairment is generally associated with euphoria, resulting in speeding and reckless driving. Drivers high on marijuana cause about 12% of all highway crashes. The results of using alcohol in combination with other drugs can more than dounle the effect. For example, combining alcohol and barbiturates can cause a driver to become unconscious, go into a coma and even die while behind the wheel.

Drugs & Peer Pressure, by Waln K. Brown, 920 words, 3 pages. A leading cause of drug use and abuse is peer pressure. In fact, millions of teenagers give in to pressure from peers and first use drugs to gain acceptance of kids who already use drugs. Thus, teens whose friends or acquaintances use drugs are likely to experience pressure to do the same. Peer pressure affects most everyone at one time or another. For example, most businessmen wear ties because their peers or customers expect a certain type of dress. However, young people are the group most likely to give in to pressure by their peers. This is especially true of teenagers because they are in the process of learning how to make friends and gain acceptance from others. Because of this, many teens become followers and imitate the group in which they wish to be included.

Drugs & Pregnancy, by Waln K. Brown, Ph.D., 752 words, 3 pages. During pregnancy, a woman's body is the unborn baby's life support system. What she consumes can enter the baby's body and influence its development. When a pregnant woman puts drugs in her body, the baby may suffer the consequences. There is evidence that even some so-called "safe" drugs influence birth disorders. For example, aspirin can cause babies to be born with cleft palate, and caffeine is associated with an increased risk of low birth weight and premature labor. Because some drugs accumulate in the fatty tissues of the body, maternal drug use before and after conception can affect the fetus. Although the first three months are most crucial, taking drugs at any time during pregnancy or while nursing may harm the baby's health.

Drugs & Self-Esteem, by Waln K. Brown, Ph.D., 902 words, 3 pages. Self-esteem is our personal self-image, our self-respect, our self-worth. It is a measure of how we "see" and "feel about" ourselves. Some people have high self-esteem, meaning they are self-confident and feel good about them. Other people have low self-esteem, meaning they lack self-confidence and feel less than good about themselves. Much of how we handle life, what we do and become, depends upon our self-esteem. Low self-esteem is the character trait most often seen in alcoholics and drug abusers, and is a characteristic of children of parents who abuse alcohol or other drugs.

Drugs & Sex, by Waln K. Brown, Ph.D., 947 words, 3 pages. Drugs are not aphrodisiacs. They do not have a physical effect on increased sexual desire. In fact, many drugs have the reverse effect. What some drugs do, however, is affect the user’s mind is such a way as to reduce sexual inhibitions – thereby making sexual behaviors less stressful. An example of an inhibition is a girl refusing to kiss a boy on the first date – even though she really wants to. Her inner belief that “good girls” do not kiss on the first date inhibits her natural impulse to kiss him. The beliefs of the user also greatly determine what the effects of a substance on the sexual experience will be.

Drugs & School Performance, by Waln K. Brown, Ph.D., 688 words, 3 pages. School performance is the level of success that students achieve in school. One level of school performance involves academic achievement such as learning and grades. A second level relates to behaviors such as citizenship and attendance. Drugs change the way the brain normally works and interferes with the ability to learn. Some drugs are associated with impairment of cognitive functioning. This can result in drug users having trouble paying attention in class, undertaking the assigned work and remembering what the student learned or read in class.

Drugs & Sports, by Waln K. Brown, Ph.D., 898 words, 3 pages. Drugs have ruined the careers of many high school, college and professional athletes. For example, a track star lost his Olympic gold medal because he had used steroids prior to running a world-record time. Many athletes are arrested for the use of cocaine or driving while intoxicated. Some athletes have even died from overdose. Long-term use of drugs can harm the physical performance of athletes and their ability to have successful athletic careers. Drug-free athletes who train regularly and follow a healthy diet have better long-term results than athletes who use drugs. Drug-free athletes are also better off mentally because they are able to concentrated, focus and perform consistently. It takes a strong and confident person to refuse drugs. Student athletes can stay drug-free by learning refusal skills, focusing on their academic and athletic goals and getting support from their parents, coaches and teachers.

Drugs & The Brain, by Waln K. Brown, Ph.D., 758 words, 3 pages. All drugs affect how the brain functions. However, different drugs can affect different parts of the brain in different ways. For example, almost all drugs have an effect on Cerebral Blood Flow, sometimes reducing or increasing it dramatically. Alcohol inhibits neuron transmission, causing most areas of the brain to receive or process information incorrectly. The effects of alcohol to the cerebellum impair coordination and movement, and the cerebrum encounters problems with judgment. Marijuana affects the cerebral cortex, thereby distorting the senses. Long-term use of marijuana also affects the hippocampus, causing memory loss. Nicotine significantly reduces CBF, making it a risk factor for stroke. Cocaine mainly affects the hippocampus, ?turning on? the pleasure center of the brain and fooling it into thinking that the drug is as important as food or survival. Inhalants affect the cerebral cortex, causing dizziness, headaches, irritability, emotional outbursts and memory disturbances. Heroin and other opiates affect the hypothalamus immediately and cause the neurons in the brainstem to slow or stop completely.

Drugs & The Law, by Waln K. Brown, Ph.D., 798 words, 3 pages. Law enforcement agencies make over one million arrests for drug-law violations each year; and drugs are not only a crime to use or sell, they also can cause the user to commit other crimes. In fact, one of every 13 arrests in the United States is for a drug-related crime. Drug users sometimes commit crimes while under the influence of the drug. For example, addiction to heroin and cocaine causes some addicts to commit crimes against property so they can buy more of these drugs. Similarly, alcohol and PCP can cause users to commit crimes against persons because these drugs promote violence. Drug users who commit drug-related crimes can be prosecuted for both the crime and their drug use. This means they may get a more severe penalty than persons who committed the same crime but were not on drugs. The Federal Government has declared a War on Drugs, and the way they are trying to win it is to make the penalties for using or selling drugs so severe that people will be afraid to break the drug laws. In fact, most offenders of all ages in America's detention homes, reformatories, jails and prisons are there for drug-related crimes.

Facts About Marijuana, by Wendy S. Snyder, M.A., and Waln K. Brown, Ph.D., 3,856 words, 16 pages. Many users today are exposed to marijuana in childhood. Because they are still developing physically, emotionally and mentally, marijuana use is especially dangerous to them. One of its most significant effects is short-term memory loss. As a result, children who use marijuana may have learning difficulties. They may also lose their energy and desire to achieve. Marijuana can also interfere with the maturation process. Children who regularly use marijuana often have slowed emotional development and, as they grow older and continue its use, can have difficulty forming meaningful relationships. Despite all the information currently available about the potentially dangerous effects of marijuana, its widespread use continues. Marijuana has taken a back seat in the "war on drugs." Much of society continues to view this drug as "harmless." It is our hope that the information presented in this publication will help the reader more fully understand how using marijuana can affect the lives of children.

Gateway Drugs, by Waln K. Brown, Ph.D., 698 words, 3 pages. Nicotine, alcohol and marijuana are referred to as "gateway drugs" because they are the "gateway" or "point of entrance" that can lead to the use of other substances. In other words, people that use these drugs increase their risk of using other substances. Gateway drugs are the most commonly used, easiest to get and seemingly least harmful of all drugs. The pressure for young people to try them is great. You should be concerned about them precisely because they are so popular and seem so harmless. In reality, they have many hidden dangers including addiction, physical illness and mental problems. Once a person becomes addicted to a drug, quitting is harder. That is why the sooner a person stops using a drug the easier it is to beat the addiction.

Hallucinogenic Drugs, by J. Frederick Garman, Ph.D., 3,557 words, 16 pages. Naturally occurring hallucinogenic plants have been a part of mystical and religious ritual for thousands of years - and continue to be so even today. Modern interest in hallucinogens began in the 1960s with the popularization of the synthetic compound LSD. Along with other "mind expanding" drugs, that decade's counter-culture used LSD as a means of "turning on," "tuning in" and "dropping out." Hallucinogenic substances continue to be part of the drug scene. Hallucinogenic drugs are both naturally occurring and manufactured synthetically in laboratories. Plants possessing psychoactive substances include marijuana, peyote, nutmeg, belladonna, locoweed, jimson weed, mandrake and varieties of morning glory seeds. Illegally manufactured hallucinogenic drugs include ketamine, mescaline, psilocybin, DMT, MDA, TMA, PCP and LSD. These drugs alter the brain's ability to transmit nerve impulses. As a result, perception of time and space can be altered and vivid, and colorful images and illusions can be generated in the user's mind. While some users find these experiences "mind expanding," others become fearful of losing their mind and experience a "bad trip," with its potential for physical injury and prolonged emotional disturbances.

Heroin, by Waln K. Brown, Ph.D., 680 words, 3 pages. Heroin is one of the several drugs produced from the opium poppy, and is a man made by-product of morphine. In fact, the scientific name for heroin (diacetylmorphine) reflects the connection between these drugs. Heroin appears as a white, off-white or brown crystal powder. It is a central nervous system depressant and is the most powerful narcotic drug. Pure heroin is produced from morphine by treating it with acetic acid (the acid in vinegar). One of the most serious and unpredictable problems for heroin users is the purity of street heroin. Pure heroin is not sold directly to addicts. By the time it reaches them, it has been "cut" several times with additives such as talcum powder, Epsom salts, soap powder, milk sugar, baking soda, flour, cornstarch, quinine or strychnine (a poison). These substances end up in the user's bloodstream and can cause physical or mental problems, even death.

Inhalants: The Toxic High, by J. Frederick Garman, Ph.D., and Waln K. Brown, Ph.D., 3,110 words, 15 pages. Adolescents are the primary users of inhalants. This may be because they are easily accessible, often being readily available at home or a nearby store. Evidence suggests that nearly 20% of American high school students have tried "sniffing," with the majority being middle-school students. Additionally, both sexes in all social and economic classes and in all geographic regions of the United States use inhalants. Although figures on inhalant use are inexact, it appears that most users do so only once or twice, then either quit or move on to other drugs. Habitual use occurs in about 10% of inhalant users. Additionally, boys seem more involved than are girls, with males accounting for about 90% of the deaths associated with inhalant use. While there are many chemicals capable of intoxication, inhalants, in general, create a quickly developing, intense, short-lived "high." They are a depressant to the central nervous system, with effects similar to those of alcohol intoxication. Inhalants adversely affect the user's physical and mental health. They damage vital organs such as the heart and kidneys. Inhalants also serve as a "gateway drug" to other types of substance abuse.

Kids Who Use Inhalants, by Waln K. Brown, Ph.D., and Robert M. Wilson, Ph.D., 734 words, 3 pages. Inhalants are substances whose vapors cause an intoxicating effect when inhaled. They act as depressants to the central nervous system. Some inhalants are in household products (varnish, paint thinner, model airplane glue), flammable liquids (gasoline, kerosene, lighter fluid) and chemical gases (nitrous oxide, Freon, butane). Users take these substances by inhaling them through a paper or plastic bag, breathing them from a saturated rag or handkerchief or inhaling them directly from an aerosol can into the nose or mouth. When someone inhales these substances, the user quickly becomes high and behaves in a manner similar to being drunk. Because of the ease with which many of these substances enter the blood and travel to brain cells, however, intoxication occurs more quickly than with alcohol.

LSD, by Waln K. Brown, Ph.D., 739 words, 3 pages. Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is the most potent man made hallucinogenic drug. Just 1/250 millionth of a gram can cause altered perceptions of reality. Users generally take LSD orally, but they also can smoke, inject or inhale it through the nose. The normal dose is about one millionth of a gram. Because the dose size is so tiny, LSD is measured into or onto other substances (such as sugar cubes or pieces of paper) so that the user can find and ingest it. When taken orally, the initial effects begin within 30 minutes. The user experiences the maximum effects in about an hour. This state may last two to four hours. The psychological, perceptual and behavioral effects of LSD last eight to 12 hours, then slowly wear off. The body rids itself of LSD with 24 hours. LSD is not physically addictive. However, this powerful drug can be habit forming and may create psychological dependence when taken frequent in large doses.

Methamphetamine and "Ice," by J. Frederick Garman, Ph.D., 3,709 words, 16 pages. Methamphetamine was first synthesized in Japan during the late 1800s. During World War II, the Japanese used this drug as a means of reducing fatigue and enhancing productivity. However, the Japanese banned its use shortly thereafter, when its addictive qualities became evident. Re-emerging in the American drug counterculture of the 1960s, methamphetamines (then known as "speed") grew increasingly unpopular, as its devastating and life-threatening effects became known; and now again, its use appears to be increasing in popularity. It is also available in its re-crystallized form, known as "ice." "Ice" is a free-base form of methamphetamine, just as "crack" is a free-base form of cocaine. Methamphetamine acts as a stimulant to the central nervous system. The drug adversely affects the user's physical and mental health, being responsible for damage to the brain, heart and lungs. Methamphetamine in any form KILLS (it is as simple as that); a fact chronic users often fail to recognize. Used by all ages and both sexes, much of the illegal abuse of methamphetamine occurs in and around large population centers and cities. Users are mostly young adults, but high school students also are among the growing ranks of users. Use seems to peak in the early to mid-twenties and dwindle in the forties. While the exact extent of methamphetamine use in the United States is uncertain, the number of users seeking medical care continues to rise, supporting the position that the drug is increasing in popularity.

Methaqualone, by Waln K. Brown, Ph.D., 758 words, 3 pages. Methaqualone is a man made drug that depresses the central nervous system. It makes the user sleepy by reducing nerve transmission in the brain. Abusers get high by fighting sleep and staying awake to experience a state of impaired coordination, lowered inhibition and increased friendliness. This drug is classified a sedative-hypnotic and is prescribed by physicians for relief from anxiety and assistance in sleeping and relaxation. Methaqualone is a white, crystal powder, processed into tablets or capsules. Methaqualone is most often associated with the brand-name Quaalude, no longer manufactured legally. In fact, most abusers refer to any form of methaqualone as Quaalude or “Ludes.” Most users take methaqualone orally, but some abusers inject this drug intravenously for a quick effect. When taken orally, the effect occurs in about 30 minutes and lasts from five to eight hours.

Narcotics, by Waln K. Brown, Ph.D., 679 words, 3 pages. Narcotics are a group of drugs that numb, soothe or cause a dream-like state. They are depressants that act primarily on the central nervous system, respiratory system, gastro-intestinal tract and eyes. Sometimes referred to as “opiates,” narcotics are among the first drugs ever used by humans. The use of opium, for example, dates back to 4,000 B.C. Narcotics are drugs made from the opium poppy and include the following derivatives: opium, morphine, heroin and codeine.

Nicotine, by Waln K. Brown, Ph.D., 689 words, 3 pages. Nicotine is a poisonous substance contained in tobacco leaves. When products made from tobacco leaves are smoked, dipped or chewed, nicotine chemically attaches to receptors in the brain. This produces an effect that can be either relaxing or arousing. Continued use of nicotine causes addiction. That is, the user becomes dependent on nicotine and its effects on the mind and body. There are two main types of tobacco products: 1) smokable and 2) smokeless. Smokable tobacco products include cigarettes, cigars and pipe tobacco. Smokeless tobacco products include chewing tobacco, and moist and dry snuff. The use of smokable tobacco products is most common among the poor. Smoking is decreasing among males, but increasing among females. Males primarily use smokeless tobacco products. In some parts of the country (especially the south and west), between 30% and 40% of high school boys chew tobacco or dip snuff.

PCP, by Waln K. Brown, Ph.D., 765 words, 3 pages. Phencyclidine (PCP) is an illegal street drug produced by bootleg chemists for sale to drug users. Also called "angel dust," PCP is loosely classified as a hallucinogen. Bootleg chemists manufacture PCP as a tablet, capsule, liquid, flake or crystal-like powder. PCP can be swallowed, smoked, sniffed or injected. Sometimes it is sprinkled on crack, marijuana, tobacco or parsley and smoked. Some users snort or inject a fine powdered form of PCP. The use of PCP appears to be on the rise among teenagers. Regular and occasional users of PCP attend inner city and suburban high schools.

Raising Drug-Free Kids, by Waln K. Brown, Ph.D., 896 words, 3 pages. Drug-free kids are young people who understand the effects of drugs on the mind and body, and who know how to refuse drugs when offered. They are boys and girls who do not need to alter or escape reality because they suffer from problems with which they cannot cope. Drug-free kids are the result of your efforts to give them this critical message through your words and deed: "My love for you is stronger than any drug." Parents, grandparents and others who are committed can raise drug-free kids. Working parents, single parents, split-custody parents, welfare parents, parents with handicaps, all parents can raise drug-free kids if they make a personal commitment to set and follow basic rules of family conduct. The level of caring and commitment determines the level of success.

Recovery From Chemical Dependency, by Waln K. Brown, Ph.D., 853 words, 3 pages. Every time people use drugs, they build a "pattern of dependency." They become used to - and dependent upon - the drugs' effects on the mind and body. This psychological or physical "need" for drugs is addiction. Once addicted, quitting the use of drugs becomes difficult. Denial is refusing to recognize and admit the existence of an addiction. Addicts use this mind-game to rationalize their abuse of drugs. Breaking through denial is the first step in recovery. Recovery is the process of overcoming denial and ending addiction. Starting with a reason to end the addiction, the user makes a conscious decision to stop using drugs and develops a plan to cease this self-destructive behavior. Because recovery from chemical dependency can be difficult, the addict may need the help of a doctor, specialist in chemical dependency or self-help groups.

Reducing Your Child's Risk For Drug Abuse, by Waln K. Brown, Ph.D., 752 words, 3 pages. Although the sale, possession and use of non-prescription drugs are illegal, the availability of drugs is so widespread that ALL children are at-risk of using them. Even elementary school children have access to drugs and use them. Studies show that nearly 60% of all high school seniors have experimented with drugs; about 30% regularly use marijuana and over 5% use drugs on a daily basis (mostly alcohol and marijuana). Furthermore, there are many reasons why children use drugs. In the "experimental stage," some reasons are curiosity, a desire to experience a "high" or the need to take risks. However, motivation changes as the child becomes more involved with drugs. In the "social stage," the child reacts to pressure from peers and the need to feel part of the group. In the "dependent stage," the child may feel an emotional or physical need that is temporarily relieved through further drug usage. In the "chronic stage," the need grows so strong that the child's main interest is in getting and using more and more drugs.

Reducing Your Child's Risk For Underage Drinking, by Waln K. Brown, Ph.D., 745 words, 3 pages. A high percentage of children admit to "experimenting" with beer, wine or liquor. By their teens, many children have "tried" alcohol either with or without their parents' consent. Because alcohol is often easy to obtain at home or the home of a friend, preventing children from trying alcohol before they reach the legal drinking age can be difficult. Children often learn their behaviors and attitudes about alcohol by listening to, observing and copying their parents. Parents' behaviors and attitudes about alcohol can affect their children in the following ways. Children whose parents regularly or excessively consume alcohol are likely to copy their parents' behaviors and abuse alcohol themselves. Children whose parents have an "extreme" attitude toward alcohol (either for or against) are at increased risk to have alcohol-related problems. Children whose parents drink alcohol only occasionally and moderately tend to use alcohol in a similar manner when they become adults

Refusing Drugs, by Waln K. Brown, Ph.D., 1,127 words, 3 pages. Although most people are offered drugs at some point, not all will give in. They will refuse drugs because they understand what drugs can do to the mind and body. They will say "no" because they have the self-confidence to stand up for what they believe is the right choice, and they will use methods such as those outlined in this publication to refuse drugs.

Smokeless Tobacco, by Waln K. Brown, Ph.D., 736 words, 3 pages. There are two kinds of smokeless tobacco: snuff and chew. Smokeless tobacco gets its name because the user takes it into the body without smoking. Although the nicotine does not enter the lungs by smoking, it does enter the bloodstream by absorption through the lining of the mouth. Smokeless tobacco is as addictive as smokable tobacco. The amount of nicotine absorbed in one pinch of dip is about three times that in a regular size cigarette. Smokeless tobacco stays in the body longer than when smoked, which can do more harm to the cardiovascular system. The average use of smokeless tobacco is about six times per day. This produces about the same nicotine intake as two packs of cigarettes.

Smoking Cessation, by Waln K. Brown, Ph.D., and Robert M. Wilson, Ph.D., 916 words, 3 pages. Smoking is the greatest cause of preventable illness and early death in the US. Every day smoking claims the lives of 1,000 Americans. Smoking also causes over one million cases of chronic illness per year. Nicotine is an addictive substance contained in tobacco. When products made from tobacco are smoked, nicotine chemically attaches to receptors in the brain. This produces an effect that can be either relaxing or stimulating. Continued use of tobacco causes addiction. That is, the smoker becomes dependent on nicotine and its effects on the mind and body. As use of tobacco continues, the desire to avoid the discomfort of withdrawal leads to compulsive use and a high rate of relapse when smokers attempt to quit. Most smokers want to quit, and many have tried more than once. Quitting is not easy, but it is possible. Successfully stopping the use of tobacco may mean using one or more of the methods outlined in this publication.

Substance-Exposed Babies, Waln K. Brown, Ph.D., 786 words, 3 pages. Substance-exposed babies are babies subjected to drugs while still in the womb of a pregnant mother. Pregnant women who use cigarettes, alcohol or other drugs endanger the development of their unborn babies and put them at risk for physical, emotional and social problems. Pregnant mothers who use drugs pass them on to the fetus. The unborn baby's body cannot process the drugs, so they stay in the system a long time. Mothers who use drugs throughout their pregnancy continuously expose their unborn babies to the harmful effects of drugs. Even mothers who use drugs while breast-feeding are exposing their babies to the dangers of these substances.

Teen Alcoholism, by Waln K. Brown, Ph.D., and Robert M. Wilson, Ph.D., 756 words, 3 pages. Alcoholism is a chronic, progressive, potentially fatal disease characterized by physical addiction, tolerance to the effects of alcohol and withdrawal symptoms when the alcoholic reduces or stops using alcohol. Alcohol is a drug classified as a depressant. It is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and goes directly to the brain. Alcohol is the drug most commonly used by teenagers. Alcohol can be addicting when consumed regularly. Alcohol is physically addictive and produces psychological dependency. Between three and four million Americans age nineteen and under are alcoholics. The average age at which kids take their first drink is below age thirteen, and 40% have tasted alcohol by age ten. Furthermore, it can take from six to eighteen months for a teenager to develop the disease called “alcoholism.”

Underage Drinking, by Waln K. Brown, Ph.D., 4,245 words, 16 pages. Perhaps the greatest hazard of underage drinking involves the effects of alcohol on children. Alcohol is the drug most commonly used by children and is addictive. Its physical effects can damage body organs and even cause death from overdose. Alcohol abuse can cause emotional, behavioral and social problems that can seriously impair a child's abilities and potential. Family life can be devastated. This purpose of this publication is to help children, parents and professionals understand the causes and effects of underage drinking and discover ways to prevent and control alcohol abuse. Alcohol is a potentially dangerous drug that can affect many more people than just the drinker. Underage drinking can begin a pattern of behavior that may follow a person throughout her or his life.

Using Tobacco During Youth, by J. Frederick Garman, Ph.D., and Waln K. Brown, Ph.D., 3,928 words, 16 pages. Tobacco use is on the decline with adults. This is largely because of the growing scientific evidence that tobacco can lead to numerous health problems - including premature death. The costs related to health insurance and healthcare has provided an incentive to quit, and social pressures (such as "smoke free" workplaces, restaurants and airlines have had a powerful impact on users of smokable tobacco products. These, and other factors, have caused many adults to change their attitudes and habits related to tobacco. Unfortunately, however, a growing number of young people have failed to notice, or take seriously, the anti-tobacco messages communicated throughout American society. Each year, hundreds of thousands of young people begin smoking, chewing or dipping tobacco products. Some will only experiment for a short while, and then quit. Others will start a habit that may haunt them most or all of their lives. They will become addicted to nicotine and learn "the hard way" about the financial and health costs associated with using tobacco.

Valium & Librium, by Waln K. Brown, Ph.D., 669 words, 3 pages. Valium and Librium are sedatives, further classified as minor tranquilizers. These prescription drugs act as central nervous system depressants. By directly affecting the brain, Valium and Librium relax the large skeletal muscles, causing tranquility or sleepiness (depending on the amount taken). Valium and Librium are two of the most commonly prescribed and abused drugs. When taken as prescribed, these drugs are quite useful in controlling pain and anxiety. However, physical tolerance to these drugs can develop within a month, which means that users must take greater amounts of these drugs to achieve the same effect once experienced by smaller amounts. Continued use can cause both psychological and physical addiction.

When Children Use Drugs, by Waln K. Brown, Ph.D., 4,319 words, 18 pages. WHEN CHILDREN USE DRUGS raises a serious social issue we all must face. Drugs are available to nearly every child. Some children never try drugs, or only use them once. Other children use drugs sparingly; but a growing number of children regularly abuse drugs, "hooked" on potentially dangerous chemicals and substances. It is our duty as concerned parents, professionals and citizens to protect children from using drugs and to prevent drug abuse. WHEN CHILDREN USE DRUGS is an educational guide to understanding and identifying drug use and abuse. This publication includes information about why children use and abuse drugs. It describes the types of drugs and outlines the major stages of drug involvement. Lists display the possible behavioral, emotional and physical effects on children. A list of agencies and services to contact about drug use and abuse also is included. It is the purpose of this publication to make you more knowledgeable about what may happen WHEN CHILDREN USE DRUGS.

Why People Use Drugs, by Waln K. Brown, Ph.D., 915 words, 3 pages. The first time someone uses drugs, they usually do not think about the reasons they do so, or the possible results of their actions. Rather, the initial use of drugs is often an impulsive response to a given situation, such as the availability of drugs and the person's state-of-mind at that time. People seldom give much thought about the potential for drug abuse or addiction. The failure to think through first-time use of drugs is the main reason why people go on to drug abuse and addiction. Every time someone uses drugs, they are building a "pattern of dependency." That is, they become used to - and dependent upon - the drug's effects on their mind and body. This psychological or physical "need" for a drug is "addiction."

Youth At-Risk For Drug Abuse, by Waln K. Brown, Ph.D., 657 words, 3 pages. ALL youth are at risk to abuse drugs from birth through adolescence. However, there are specific factors (called "risk factors") that make some young people especially vulnerable to substance abuse. Scientists have identified factors that predict the potential for drug abuse. The higher the number of risk factors, the greater the risk of a child abusing drugs. The following factors put youth at risk for substance abuse: biological factors, individual factors, peer factors, family factors, school factors and community factors.