FOCUS questions
Impact of COVID-19 on substance abuse
1. How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted patterns of substance abuse among both teens and adults?
2. What are the ways to reduce substance abuse behavior during very difficult and stressful times such as the current pandemic?
3. What have you and your friends done to cope with the pandemic?
The Abuse of Prescription Medications
1. What is prescription drug abuse?
2.(a) Is prescription drug abuse a big problem for teens?
2.(b) How many teens abuse prescription drugs?
3.(a) What prescription drugs are most commonly abused by teens?
3.(b) How do they usually obtain these medications?
4. What are the major reasons that teens abuse prescription medications?
5. What are some signs that teens are abusing prescription drugs?
6. What are the short term and long term impacts of abusing prescription medications?
7. What are the common misconceptions about prescription drug abuse?
8. What types of resources and services are available for teens who abuse prescription medications?
9 (a). How prevalent is prescription drug abuse in your school?
9 (b). Do you know anyone who has ever abused prescription medications?
10. How can you help prevent prescription drug abuse?
11. What is being done to try to combat prescription drug abuse?
Narcotics Drug Abuse
1. What is drug abuse?
2.(a) Is drug abuse a big problem for teens?
2.(b) How many teens abuse drugs?
3. What drugs are most commonly abused by teens?
4. What are the major reasons that teens abuse drugs?
5. What are some signs that teens are abusing drugs?
6. What are the short term and long term impacts of drug abuse ?
7. What are the common misconceptions about drug abuse?
8. What types of resources and services are available for teens who abuse drugs?
9. How prevalent is drug abuse in your school?
10. How can you help prevent drug abuse?
LINKS
THE ABUSE OF PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS
1. What is prescription drug abuse?
National Institute on Drug Abuse:
http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/prescription-drugs/what-prescription-drug-abuse
http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/prescription-over-counter-medications
Medline Plus:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/prescriptiondrugabuse.html
NCADD (National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc.):
http://www.ncadd.org/index.php/learn-about-drugs/prescription-drugs
The Mayo Clinic:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/prescription-drug-abuse/DS01079
Troubled Teen 101:
http://www.troubledteen101.com/articles29.html
Above the Influence:
http://www.abovetheinfluence.com/facts/drugspresciptionrx
CRC Health Group:
http://www.prescription-drug-abuse.org
2. (a) Is prescription drug abuse a big problem for teens?
The Partnership at Drugfree.org:
https://www.drugfree.org/newsroom/pats-2012
EDC (Education Development Center):
http://www.edc.org/newsroom/articles/teen_prescription_drug_abuse_rise
Prescription for Disaster – How Teens Abuse Medicine:
http://www.justice.gov/dea/pr/multimedia-library/publications/ prescription_for_disaster_english.pdf
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db42.htm
Foundation for a Drug-Free World:
http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/drugs/prescription-drugs.html
Health Policy Solutions:
http://www.healthpolicysolutions.org/2012/11/14/prescription-painkillers-like-loaded-guns-for-teens/
2. (b) How many teens abuse prescription drugs?
National Institute on Drug Abuse:
http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/prescription-drugs/trends-in-prescription-drug-abuse/adolescents-young-adults
Rx Safety Matters:
http://www.rxsafetymatters.org/families-and-communities/facts-and-figures/
KPBS Public Broadcasting:
http://www.kpbs.org/news/2012/sep/24/national-campaign-against-teen-prescription-drug-a/
Preventing Prescription Drug Abuse:
http://www.prescriptiondrugmisuse.org/index.php?page=usage_amoung_youth
3. (a) What types of prescription drugs are most commonly used by teens?
Foundation for a Drug-Free World:
http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/prescription/prescription-drugs-what-you-don-t-know.html
Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Association:
http://www.iadda.org/docs/CommForum2012/Prescription_drugs_FS_2012.pdf
National Institute on Drug Abuse Research Report:
http://www.chce.research.va.gov/docs/pdfs/RRPrescription.pdf
http://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/commonly-abused-drugs/commonly-abused-prescription-drugs-chart
Public Broadcasting Station:
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2013/04/which-prescription-drugs-do-americans-abuse-most.html
Teen Challenge of Southern California:
http://www.teenchallenge.org/site/c.inKLKROuHqE/b.5610351/k.113/Chart_of_Commonly_Abused_Prescription_Drugs.htm
Prescription Drug Abuse:
http://www.prescriptiondrugabuse.org/Commonly-Abused-Prescription-Drugs.htm
Next Avenue:
http://www.nextavenue.org/article/2012-10/prescription-drug-abuse-commonly-abused-meds
Smart Moves, Smart Choices:
http://www.smartmovessmartchoices.org/commonly-abused-drugs
The Recovery Zone:
http://www.recoveryzone.org/docs/articles/commonly-abused-prescription-drugs.html
3. (b) How do they usually obtain these prescription drugs?
Casco Bay Can Create Awareness Now:
http://www.cascobaycan.org/mentor_parents_5.htm
CBS Sacramento Local:
http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/video/7972025-prescription-drugs-on-the-black-market/
Where Do Teens Get Prescription Drugs?:
http://radar.boisestate.edu/pdfs/WhereDoTeensGetPrescriptionDrugs.pdf
Save A Star Drug Awareness Foundation:
http://www.saveastar.org/pages/drug_awareness_where.html
Family Guide – Keeping Youth Mentally Healthy & Drug Free:
http://www.southingtonschools.org/uploaded/faculty/mbordonaro/drug_toolkit_parents_discussion.pdf
Aware Rx:
http://www.awarerx.org
4. What are the major reasons that teens abuse prescription medications?
Foundation for a Drug-Free World:
http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/drugs/why-do-people-take-drugs.html
National Drug Treatment Centre, Addiction Ireland:
http://www.addictionireland.ie/faq/article.php?FID=33
National Institute on Drug Abuse:
http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/addiction-science/why-do-people-abuse-drugs http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/science-addiction/drug-abuse-addiction
St. Thomas Police Department:
http://www.stps.on.ca/index.php/AParentsGuideToDrugs/WhyYoungPeopleUseDrugs
Strong Bonds:
http://www.strongbonds.jss.org.au/problem/why.html
The Parent Toolkit:
http://theparenttoolkit.org/article/top-8-reasons-why-teens-try-alcohol-and-drugs
Medline Plus:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001522.htm
Live Strong:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/110594-reasons-people-abuse-drugs/
Teens Health:
http://kidshealth.org/teen/drug_alcohol/drugs/prescription_drug_abuse.html
5. What are some signs that teens are abusing prescription drugs?
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/public/dohmhnews8-02.pdf
Narconon International:
http://www.narconon.org/drug-abuse/signs-symptoms-pain-relievers.html
Prescription Monitoring Program (Connecticut Government Department of Consumer Protection):
http://www.ct.gov/dcp/lib/dcp/drug_control/pmp/pdf/teenprescription.pdf
Gateway Foundation:
http://recovergateway.org/resources/signs-symptoms/
The Mayo Clinic:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/prescription-drug-abuse/DS01079/DSECTION=symptoms
Sober Living by the Sea:
http://www.soberliving.com/resources/signs-of-teen-prescription-drug-abuse
Educate Before You Medicate:
http://www.talkaboutrx.org/documents/TAP2009_WarningSigns.pdf
Foundation for a Drug-Free World:
http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/painkillers/warning-signs-of-prescription-painkiller-dependency.html
NCADD (National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc.):
http://www.ncadd.org/index.php/learn-about-drugs/signs-and-symptoms
6. What are the short term and long term impacts of abusing prescription drugs?
Foundation for a Drug-Free World:
http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/prescription/depressants.html
http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/prescription/antidepressants.html
http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/prescription/opioids-and-morphine-derivatives-effects.html
Preventing Prescription Drug Abuse:
http://www.prescriptiondrugmisuse.org/index.php?page=consequences_long_term
http://www.prescriptiondrugmisuse.org/index.php?page=consequences_short_term
Narconon International:
http://www.narconon.org/drug-abuse/effects-of-prescription-drugs.html
Prescription Drug Abuse: A Growing Problem Among Teens: (Galesburg High School):
http://www.streaks.org/athletics/pdf/prescription.drug.%20handout.pdf
U Lifeline:
http://www.ulifeline.org/articles/390-the-dangers-of-misused-prescription-drugs
Only the Strong Survive:
http://www2.courtinfo.ca.gov/stopteendui/teens/resources/substances/pharming/short-and-long-term-effects.cfm
Stepping Stone Center for Recovery:
http://www.steppingstonecenter.org/prescription-drugs/
National Institute on Drug Abuse:
http://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/commonly-abused-drugs/health-effects
7. What are the common misconceptions about prescription drug abuse?
Rx Safety Matters:
http://www.rxsafetymatters.org/recent-news/many-parents-underestimate-dangers-of-teen-use-of-prescription-drugs/
Phoenix House:
http://www.phoenixhouse.org/news-and-views/our-perspectives/ten-popular-myths-drugs-addiction-recovery/
Teen Drug Abuse:
http://www.teen-drug-abuse.org/teenoverthecounterdrugabuse/myths-otc-drug-use.htm
Greater/Grand Sudbury Police:
http://www.gspsyouth.ca/en/alcoholanddrugs/prescriptiondrugmisuse.php
Smart Moves, Smart Choices:
http://www.smartmovessmartchoices.org/facts
Educate Before You Medicate:
http://www.talkaboutrx.org/documents/TAP2009_MythBusters.pdf
Test Country:
http://www.testcountry.org/myths-and-facts-about-prescription-drug-abuse-in-the-u-s.htm
Stepping Stone Center for Recovery:
http://www.steppingstonecenter.org/debunking-the-myths-of-prescription-drug-abuse/
Alliance for Safe Kids:
http://allianceforsafekids.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Myth-Busting-Facts-1.pdf
8. What types of resources and services are available for teens who abuse prescription medications?
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/GetHelp/Yourself
SAMHSA (Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration):
http://findtreatment.samhsa.gov
MedicineNet.com:
http://www.medicinenet.com/teen_drug_abuse/page8.htm#where_can_a_person_get_help_for_teen_drug_abuse
Educate Before You Medicate:
http://www.talkaboutrx.org/documents/HelpfulResources.pdf
Phoenix House:
http://www.phoenixhouse.org/get-help/for-a-teen/
Teens Rehab Info:
http://teensrehab.org/teen-drug-rehab-how-teenagers-benefit.php
New York Center For Living:
http://www.centerforliving.org/teen-and-adolescent-drug-addiction-treatment-program.phpx
Teenage Substance Abuse:
http://teenagesubstanceabuse.org
Teen Challenge USA:
http://teenchallengeusa.com
9. How prevalent is prescription drug abuse in your school? Do you know anyone who has ever abused prescriptions drugs?
Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence:
http://www.licadd.com/info/about-drug-alcohol-treatment/tips-for-teens/prescription-drug-misuse/
Smart Moves, Smart Choices:
http://www.smartmovessmartchoices.org/pdfs/SmartMoves_SchoolToolKit_Web.pdf
Reuters:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/08/us-drugs-highschool-idUSTRE75771U20110608
NBC News 4 New York:
http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Plan-To-Open-Drug-Clinic-At-High-School-108801169.html
CBS News:
http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-204_162-3173660.html
Sachem Central School District at Holbrook:
http://www.sachem.edu/admin/Public_Announcements/sachem_friends/Newsday-%20Canine%20Unit.pdf
FiOS1 Long Island:
http://fios1news.com/longisland/node/23493
U.S. News and World Report:
http://health.usnews.com/health-news/managing-your-healthcare/articles/2010/06/03/20-of-us-high-schoolers-abuse-prescription-drugs
10. How can you help prevent prescription drug abuse?
Smart Moves, Smart Choices:
http://www.smartmovessmartchoices.org/pdfs/SmartMoves_SchoolToolKit_Web.pdf
Seminole Prevention Coalition:
http://seminolepreventioncoalition.org/pitchyourpills/prescription-drug-abuse-prevention.html#.UbzrjxYf94M
NCAPDA (National Coalition Against Prescription Drug Abuse):
http://ncapda.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=33&Itemid=7 http://ncapda.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=28&Itemid=6
Above the Influence:
http://www.abovetheinfluence.com/help/resources
National Institute on Drug Abuse for Teens:
http://teens.drugabuse.gov/blog/tag/prescription-drug-abuse
http://teens.drugabuse.gov/our-projects/peerx/get-involved
11. What is being done to try to combat prescription drug abuse?
NGA Center for Best Practices:
http://www.nga.org/cms/Rx
National Institutes of Health:
http://www.nih.gov/news/health/feb2013/nida-14.htm
New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo:
http://www.governor.ny.gov/press/08272012prescription-drug-abuse
National Conference of State Legislatures:
http://www.ncsl.org/issues-research/health/prevention-of-prescription-drug-overdose-and-abuse.phpx
U.S. Department of Justice – Drug Enforcement Administration:
http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/
MAPDA (Mothers Against Prescription Drug Abuse):
http://mapdaonline.org
Capitol Region BOCES (Board of Cooperative Education Services):
http://www.capregboces.org/BOCESInsider/InsidePages/2012-13/05_02_Schumer.cfm
National Rx Drug Abuse Summit:
http://nationalrxdrugabusesummit.org
FDA – U.S. Food and Drug Administration:
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Testimony/ucm356674.htm
Narcotics Drug Abuse
1. What is drug abuse?
National Institute of Drug Abuse:
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/understanding-drug-use-addiction
Medicine.net:
http://www.medicinenet.com/drug_abuse/page2.htm
Teens Health:
http://kidshealth.org/en/teens/addictions.html#
2.(a) Is drug abuse a big problem for teens?
Medcine.net:
http://www.medicinenet.com/teen_drug_abuse/article.htm
Addiction Center:
https://www.addictioncenter.com/teenage-drug-abuse/
Project Know:
http://www.projectknow.com/research/drugs-and-alcohol/
National Institute on Drug Abuse:
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/high-school-youth-trends
2.(b) How many teens abuse drugs?
Teen Drug Rehabs:
http://www.teendrugrehabs.com/facts-and-stats/
Teen Help:
https://www.teenhelp.com/teen-drug-abuse/teen-drug-abuse-statistics/
Drug War Facts:
http://www.drugwarfacts.org/cms/Adolescents#sthash.HQ6jrEQ9.dpbs
National Institute on Drug Abuse:
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/high-school-youth-trends
3. What drugs are most commonly abused by teens?
National Institute on Drug Abuse:
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/media-guide/most-commonly-used-addictive-drugs
Better Health:
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/drugs-teenagers
4. What are the major reasons that teens abuse drugs?
Drug Facts for Young People:
http://drugfacts4youngpeople.com/why-some-teens-use-drugs
Get Smart about Drugs:
https://www.getsmartaboutdrugs.com/family/why-do-teens-use-drugs
National Institute on Drug Abuse for Teens:
https://easyread.drugabuse.gov/content/drugs-people-abuse
5. What are some signs that teens are abusing drugs?
Drug Abuse.com:
http://drugabuse.com/library/teen-drug-abuse/
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence:
https://www.ncadd.org/about-addiction/signs-and-symptoms/what-to-look-for-signs-and-symptoms
Help Guide.org:
http://www.helpguide.org/articles/addiction/drug-abuse-and-addiction.htm
6. What are the short term and long term impacts of drug abuse?
California Government Only the Strong Survive:
http://www2.courtinfo.ca.gov/stopteendui/teens/resources/substances/hallucinogens/short-and-long-term-effects.cfm
Drug Abuse.com:
http://drugabuse.com/library/get-the-facts-on-substance-abuse/
Project Know:
http://www.projectknow.com/research/effects-of-drug-abuse/
7. What are the common misconceptions about drug abuse?
Drug Abuse.com:
http://drugabuse.com/library/drug-addiction-facts-myths/
National Institute on Drug Abuse:
http://archives.drugabuse.gov/Published_Articles/Myths.html
8. What types of resources and services are available for teens who abuse drugs?
National Institute on Drug Abuse:
https://www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/treatment/what-to-do-if-you-have-problem-drugs-teens-young-adults
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/seeking-drug-abuse-treatment-know-what-to-ask/introduction
NIDA for Teens:
https://teens.drugabuse.gov/have-a-drug-problem-need-help
9. How prevalent is drug abuse in your school?
Project Know:
http://www.projectknow.com/research/drugs-and-alcohol/
Pediatrics AA Publications:
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/120/6/1379