SATUCI Youth Partners e-Newsletter
June 2014

Keep teens alcohol and drug free this summer

Summertime is here - and so is the season when many teens with time on their hands turn to experimenting with alcohol and drugs. Rather than throw up your hands and say there's nothing you can do, take a minute to reflect on just how important and influential parents' roles are to their children. Read more.

What's your summer plan of action?

The school year is action-packed and quite frankly exhausting for many students and parents alike. So by the time June hits, most of us look forward to slowing things down and enjoying a laid-back, commitment-free summer.While this sounds like a good plan, it is actually in our children's best interest to keep up the pace a bit this summer. Researchers have found that June and July are the riskiest months of the year for first-time alcohol and other drug use among youth. Read more.

Parents of teens' friends can influence substance use

The parents of teenagers' friends can have as much effect on teens' decisions about substance use as their own parents, a new study suggests. If the parents of a teenager's friends are not aware of their own child's alcohol or drug use, or condone it, then it is more likely the teen will drink or smoke, the study found. Read more.

Can teens become addicted to marijuana?

Yes. Contrary to common belief, marijuana is addictive. Estimates from research suggest that about 9 percent of users become addicted to marijuana; this number increases among those who start young. Read more.

Some commonly asked questions about alcohol use

Here are some frequently asked questions you may be interested in knowing about alcohol use. Read more.

Trends in adolescent tobacco use

More than 700,000 middle school students and three million high school students have smoked. Although tobacco use by adolescents has declined substantially in the last forty years, nearly one in 10 high school seniors were daily smokers in 2013. Read more.

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Marshalltown Parks and Recreation
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Teens' first-time substance use rises in summer months

School's out and the living is easy for teens come summertime, but a new government study suggests it's also dangerous, as the rates of first-time substance use among 12- to 17-year-olds peak in June and July.
 

On an average day in these two summer months, approximately 11,000 adolescents use alcohol for the first time, 5,000 try their first cigarette, and 4,500  begin using marijuana, according to a report released by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The report is based on interviews with 231,500 adolescents in the 

National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) during 2002-2010.

The daily average rates for first-time alcohol, cigarette, and marijuana use during the rest of the year are 5,000-8,000 for first-time alcohol use and 3,000-4,000 each for first-time cigarette and marijuana use, according to the report, titled "Monthly Variation in Substance Use Initiation among Adolescents."

First-time hallucinogen use also peaked in June and July, with a daily average rate of 1,500 new users per day, compared with 1,100-1,400 in other months. Inhalant initiation peaked in July specifically, with a daily average rate of 1,800 new users in that month, compared with 1,100-1,700 during the rest of the year, according to the report. No similar summer-month increases were observed in the use of cocaine or nonmedical prescription drugs.

The summer peaks of first-time use of many of the substances are likely associated with the increased idle time and decreased responsibilities and adult supervision during breaks from school, "although initiation of substance use can occur at any time," the authors wrote, noting that multiple implications can be drawn from the findings. For example, intensifying public service announcements and media campaigns targeting adolescents during the summer months may amplify their impact. "Messages focusing on preventing initiation may be particularly important during these months," they wrote.

Additionally, "the findings may point toward critical opportunities during the summer to implement activities and events that are attractive alternatives to drug use initiation or continued use," particularly in communities with limited prevention resources, according to the authors. From a law-enforcement perspective, targeted efforts toward preventing tobacco and alcohol sales to minors may be more effective during the peak initiation months.

SATUCI teaches students skills to reduce risky behaviors

SATUCI's prevention staff teaches a curriculum called LifeSkills to students in grades 5-8 at Lenihan and Miller schools. It is an evidence based program that addresses preventions and reducing risk with alcohol, drugs, tobacco, and other risky behaviors.

LifeSkills also teaches skills needed to successfully handle challenging situations. They learn these skills through various activities done with each lesson that help address: assertiveness, peer pressure, self-esteem, ways to cope with anxiety and awareness of the effects that may occur due to drug use and consequences of risky behavior.

Everyone that facilitates the program has received training. We help teach the lessons out of this curriculum in the science and health classes at the schools.

The three components of the LifeSkills curriculum are:  

* Drug Resistance Skills
Enables young people to recognize and challenge common misconceptions about tobacco, alcohol and other drug use. Through coaching and practice, they learn information and practical ATOD (Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug use) resistance skills for dealing with peers and media pressure to engage in ATOD use.

* Personal Self-Management Skills
Students learn how to examine their self-image and its effects on behavior; set goals and keep track of personal progress; identify everyday decisions and how they may be influenced by others; analyze problem situations, and consider the consequences of each alternative solution before making decisions; reduce stress and anxiety, and look at personal challenges in a positive light.

* General Social Skills
Students develop the necessary skills to overcome shyness, communicate effectively and avoid misunderstandings, initiate and carry out conversations, handle social requests, utilize both verbal and nonverbal assertiveness skills to make or refuse requests, and recognize that they have choices other than aggression or passivity when faced with tough situations.

For more information, go to the LifeSkills website or the SATUCI Lifeskills web page.

Binge drinking: common with teens

Binge drinking is the most common pattern of excessive alcohol use in the United States. Binge drinking as a pattern of drinking that brings a person's blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08 grams percent or above.

This typically happens when men consume 5 or more drinks, and when women consume 4 or more drinks, in about 2 hours.

Most people who binge drink are not alcohol dependent.

According to national surveys:

  • One in six U.S. adults binge drinks about four times a month, consuming about eight drinks per binge.
  • While binge drinking is more common among young adults aged 18-34 years, binge drinkers aged 65 years and older report binge drinking more often-an average of five to six times a month.
  • Binge drinking is more common among those with household incomes of $75,000 or more than among those with lower incomes.
  • Approximately 92% of U.S. adults who drink excessively report binge drinking in the past 30 days.
  • Although college students commonly binge drink, 70% of binge drinking episodes involve adults age 26 years and older.
  • The prevalence of binge drinking among men is twice the prevalence among women.
  • Binge drinkers are 14 times more likely to report alcohol-impaired driving than non-binge drinkers.
  • About 90% of the alcohol consumed by youth under the age of 21 in the United States is in the form of binge drinks.
  • More than half of the alcohol consumed by adults in the United States is in the form of binge drinks.

 
 
 
 
 
Parent tip for the month

If you discover that your teenager has been experimenting with alcohol, your response can be a major factor in determining the likelihood that your teen will engage in underage drinking again. A parent's attitude plays an important role in deterring underage drinking. Respond to a teenager's drinking by showing your disapproval in a loving, yet firm manner to discourage further experimentation with alcohol.

 

  • Educate Your Teen about Alcohol - Sometimes parents avoid talking to teenagers about alcohol out of embarrassment or uncertainty about what to say. Although your child might try to dodge the conversation, have an open and direct discussion about the dangers of drinking. Parents should avoid scare tactics when discussing alcohol. A conversation that appeals to your teenager's self-respect is likely to be most effective. If you drink alcohol, model appropriate behavior and discuss the reasons why underage drinking is problematic.

  • Establish Rules - Set clear rules about drinking and attending parties. Discuss your expectations about what your child should do if alcohol is served at a party or if another teenager wants to drive after consuming alcohol. Explain the consequences for breaking the rules. Keep close tabs on your teenager's activities. Become familiar with your child's friends and communicate with other parents to ensure your child will be supervised and that alcohol will not be served at parties.

  • Remove Privileges - Teenagers may need a consequence to deter them from drinking again. Take away privileges for a specific period of time. For a first offense, remove a major privilege or two, such as driving privileges or activities with friends. If it is a second offense, take away other privileges, such as cell phone privileges and computer privileges. Develop a contract that states how your teenager can earn the privileges back by showing responsibility with chores, homework and telling the truth.

  • Seek Professional Help - Despite appropriate attempts to prevent and respond to underage drinking, sometimes teenagers will still choose to use alcohol. Parents should be on the lookout for warning signs of serious substance abuse problems. Warning signs can include declining grades, truancy, mood changes, isolation or social problems. Consult your child's physician or a mental health professional if you have concerns that your teenager might have a problem with alcohol.