SATUCI Youth Partners e-Newsletter
 August 2015

U.S. heroin deaths triple in four years

Heroin use more than doubled in the United States between 2007 and 2013, according to a report by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. In an even shorter time span, between 2010 and 2013, deaths from heroin overdose almost tripled. Read more.

Drug trends in Iowa

The Governor's Office of Drug Control Policy issued a report, "Drug Trends in Iowa: Progress, Peril and Perseverance." Among the findings is that youth substance abuse has declined steadily over the past decade. Read more. 

Report: Boredom leads to marijuana use

A study of why teens use marijuana finds almost one-third say they use the drug to alleviate boredom. The Heath Day report said teens who use marijuana because they are bored are more likely to also use cocaine. The researchers found marijuana use itself was not a risk factor for using other drugs. While people do generally use marijuana before other drugs, it does not mean marijuana is a cause of using those other drugs. Read more. 

Top 10 states where alcohol, drugs kill the most motorists

Information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows how states rank in all substance-related accidents leading to fatalities. Bottom line is that drugs, alcohol and a steering wheel don't mix. See more.

Secondhand smoke increases stroke risk

A new study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that secondhand smoke increases the risk of stroke by about 30 percent for non-smokers. Read more.

Tips for those tough questions

Talking about marijuana with your kids can be difficult - especially these days, with the drug becoming legalized in some states and the increasingly casual presence of weed in the media and pop culture. But with the right tools and skills, you can have easier, more productive conversations with your teen about marijuana, despite these unique challenges. Here's a You Tube video from the Partnership for Drug Free Kids that helps parents set the stage to have respectful, open conversations. See more.

A little bit about inhalant use

They're all over your house. They're in your child's school. In fact, you probably picked some up the last time you went to the grocery store. Educate yourself. Find out about inhalants before your children do. Read more.

Overview of alcohol consumption

People drink to socialize, celebrate, and relax. Alcohol often has a strong effect on people - and throughout history, we've struggled to understand and manage alcohol's power.  Why does alcohol cause us to act and feel differently?  How much is too much? Why do some people become addicted while others do not? The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism website has a good overview of alcohol consumption. Read more.

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Marshalltown Police Department

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Marshalltown results in Iowa Youth Survey

Results from the 2014 Iowa Youth Survey reveal students' behaviors, attitudes and beliefs, as well as their perceptions of peer, family, school, neighborhood and community environments.

The survey is designed to help local and state level planners, community agencies and school personnel identify youth development needs, implement relevant and targeted interventions and assess outcomes. The data also is used to obtain funding for a variety of programs and services.

Here's a snapshot of what Marshalltown teens said about alcohol and marijuana:

How old were you, if ever, when you first drank more than a few sips of alcohol?

6th grade - 86% never drank alcohol

8th grade - 78% never drank alcohol

11th grade - 41% never drank alcohol; 21%  age 13 or 14; 20% age 15 or 16

In the past 30 days, have you had at least one drink of alcohol?

6th grade - 98% no

8th grade - 95% no
11th grade - 71% no

In the past 30 days how did you get alcohol?

11th grade responses:

I bought it - 3%

I gave money to someone to buy it - 14%

I got it from a parent - 5%

I got it at a party - 20%

A friend who is under 21 gave it to me - 12%

A friend who is over 21 gave it to me - 13%

Have you ever driven a car or other motor vehicle after using any amount of alcohol or other drugs?

11th grade responses:

85%  - 0 times

5%  - 1 time

4% - 2 times

7% - 3 or more times

Have you ever used marijuana?

6th grade - 99% no

8th grade - 94% no

11th grade - 63% no

How old were you when you first tried marijuana?

6th grade - of the 1% who said they used marijuana, age 9 or 10

8th grade - of the 6%, 4% were age 13 or 14

11th grade - of the 37%, 17% were age 15 or 16, 11% were 13 or 14 and 5% were age 11 or 12.

See more results at www.youthsurvey.iowa.org

SATUCI awarded Youth Development Grant

SATUCI received notice in July that it was awarded a Youth Development Grant. The grant will support the continuation of Life Skills in grades 5-8 in the Marshalltown School District and add Life Skills for 30 selected ninth grade students.

The grant will also support the implementation of a youth-led effort at the high school to improve school connectedness.

"The research has been very clear that how connected students are at school has a big impact on substance abuse as well as violence," said Vickie Lewis, director of professional services at SATUCI.

The grant will include working with Iowa State University Extension to build the Youth Leadership Institute to increase skills for those working with youth as well as share data about student needs.

"Our work plan was a collaborative effort with our partners and we are very excited about working together with ISU to implement the plan," Lewis said.

SATUCI's grant was one of seven awarded statewide.

The link between bullying and substance abuse 

On the surface, bullying and youth substance use may seem like separate problems. However, from research, we know that kids who use drugs or alcohol are at risk for other problem behaviors during their teen years. Recent findings confirm previous studies that found links between bullying and substance use. Researchers found that middle and high school students who bully their peers or are bully-victims (bully others and are also bullied) are more likely than students who aren't involved in bullying to use alcohol, cigarettes, and marijuana.

Bullying and substance use among kids have shared risk and protective factors. Prevention efforts can lessen these risk factors and strengthen protective factors in a child's life. Learn to recognize the warning signs of bullying and being bullied, underage alcohol use, and drug use to intervene before the problem becomes worse.

But let's rewind: how do you know which risk and protective factors to focus on? Read on!

Family

Close parent-child relationships are vital for a child's well-being. When families can talk openly, kids can talk about their problems more easily. Additionally, clear, consistent discipline-without being too extreme or physical-helps kids understand that certain behaviors, like bullying and substance use, are unacceptable and that there are consequences for those actions. Finally, showing empathy and helping kids form positive values helps keep them from bullying others and using drugs or alcohol. 

Peers

Peers and friends are important for social and personal growth. However, kids who spend time with other kids who bully or use alcohol and drugs are more likely to engage in those activities. The same goes for children who have trouble interacting with their peers. Parent supervision and involvement, such as getting to know your child's friends, can help a young person avoid behavioral problems by making wise decisions about the company he or she keeps.

Academic performance

Doing well in school and being enthusiastic about learning are protective factors for youth substance use and bullying. Poor grades and disinterest in school are just the opposite-they put a child at risk for those behaviors.

Individual characteristics

Parents and teachers should be on the lookout for aggressive behavior, especially if they see it at an early age, because it's an indicator that a child could become involved in drugs, alcohol, and/or bullying. Teachers and families should also seek opportunities to recognize and reinforce children's abilities and accomplishments-self-esteem, competencies, and skills are characteristics that "protect" a child.

Environmental characteristics

Our environments play an important part in shaping who we become. Young people who are surrounded by substance use, crime, poverty, and violence at home or in their neighborhoods are more likely to turn to bullying and drug or alcohol use. Community and policy initiatives are essential to remove and prevent environmental risk factors that affect youth. Explore prevention resources and tools, and take the first step toward tackling these issues in your community.

 
 



Parent tip for the month

 

The most effective step in preventing teen prescription drug misuse is a talk from a parent or another key influencer, such as a grandparent, guardian or trusted adult. Here are some tips to make the talk easier and more effective.

Pointers for a proactive medicine talk:

  • Don't worry about having all the facts, but know the truth. It's more important to express how you would feel if your child used drugs and the impact it could have on your family.
  • Use "teachable moments" to start a dialogue. Take advantage of everyday events, such as listening to a radio ad about an OTC medicine, or viewing a TV show or movie where a character uses a drug. Using natural conversation starters will make it easier to have an ongoing conversation.
  • Dispel the myth. Many teens believe prescription and OTC drugs are safer than street drugs. Make sure they know medicines are still drugs, and they can be just as harmful as illegal drugs when taken inappropriately.
  • Talk about the risk. Be specific and tell your teens that taking prescriptions without a doctor's approval or using OTC drugs without supervision can be dangerous - even deadly. Support your claim with facts:
    • Prescription medications are powerful substances that have a very different impact on a healthy person.
    • Painkillers are made from opioids, the same substance found in heroin.
    • Many pills look the same, but depending on the drug and the dosage, the effects can vary from mild to lethal.
    • Pharmaceuticals taken without a prescription or a doctor's supervision are just as dangerous as illicit drugs or alcohol.
  • Cover the consequences. Tell your children about the distasteful consequences of misusing prescription and OTC drugs, such as vomiting, unwanted sexual behavior, blackouts-not remembering what they did-or even a fatal overdose.
  • Set clear rules about drug use. Talk to your child or teen in advance about the consequences of violating the established rules. Make it clear that teens should never take prescription or OTC drugs with illicit drugs or alcohol.
  • Set the stage for more discussion. Remember, you will have ongoing discussions with your teen about prescription and OTC drugs. Talking about drugs is not a one-time event.