Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.

1. What are some of the risks of alcohol?
2. Why do some young people use drugs?
3. What are some signs of drug use?
4. What are inhalants?
5. Is drug use a problem in schools?
6. What else can schools do to keep students drug-free?
7. What are ways that I can get accurate information about drugs?
8. Can my son/daugther's drug use just be their own problem?
9. Who can I talk to for help?
10. What is the prevalence of binge drinking?

What are some of the risks of alcohol?

       Drinking can lead to poor judgement and major regrets such as drinking 
and driving.  Drinking can cause health problems such as loss of memory and 
coordination, liver problems and some cancers.
In addition, there are very real and short term concerns with alcohol use 
such as:
Alcohol poisoning- a severe and potentially fatal physical reaction to an 
alcohol overdose is the most serious consequence of binge drinking.  When 
excessive amounts of alcohol are consumed, the brain is deprived of oxygen.  
        Symptoms of alcohol poisoning include: vomiting, unconsciousness, 
cold, clammy, pale or bluish skin, slow or irregular breathing.

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Why do some young people use drugs?

Curiousity 
    Peer Pressure
    Boredom

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What are some signs of drug use?

Sudden drop in grades'
    changes in physical activity/daily routinue
    Irritability
    Frequent absences from job or school
    Sudden disregard for family rules or schedules
    Stealing money or excessive cash
    Frequent highs and lows in mood
    Rebellion towards authority
    Trunancy
    Loss of interest in school
    Increase in discipline problems, lots of lates to school/class cuts

  * These are just some possible indicators of drug use, more evualuation 
would be needed with the student.

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What are inhalants?

 Some common inhalants are things around your household such as paint, 
gasoline, hair spray, nitrous oxide (Whip It), and amyl nitrite.  Inhalants 
are called "Huff", "Sniff", "Amies", "Poppers", "Rush", "Bolt".  Some people 
breath glue, paint or other household products to get high,  that is called 
inhaling.

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Is drug use a problem in schools?

  a) It is a national problem.  Nearly 1 in 3 students has been offered, sold 
or given an illegal drug on school property. 
  b) It affects many young people. As many as half of all student have used 
an illegal drug by the time they graduate from high school. 
  c) Prevention is the key. Drug prevention education, drug-testing programs, 
and parental and community involvement can all help combat drug use.

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What else can schools do to keep students drug-free?

Schools can help to teach students to stay away from drugs, help them resist 
peer pressure to use drugs and offer them counseling. 
    1) drug education is throughout the health curriculm as well as other 
appropriate subjects in the school.  
    2)  the student assistance program and school counselors can offer help 
to students who have used drugs or feel pressure to use drugs.  Schools may 
also provide access to specialist in drug prevention and treatment.  
    3) Schools and community organizations can sponsor mentoring programs.

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What are ways that I can get accurate information about drugs?

There are many websites that have excellent information and resources for 
parents.  

    Office of National Drug Control Policy
        www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov

    National Institute on Drug Abuse
        www.nida.nih.gov

    The Safe and Drug-Free Schools Program
        www.ed.gov/offices

    The Anti-drug
    www. TheAntiDrug.com

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Can my son/daugther's drug use just be their own problem?

While only one person may be using drugs, all family members are affected by 
it.  It is very difficult to accept that a child may be doing something 
illegal like using drugs.

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Who can I talk to for help?

 Student Asssistance Programs
    School Counselors
    Family doctors
    Employee Assistance Professionals
    Nurses
    Faith Leaders
    Community Health Leaders
    Adolescent prevention/treatment professionals\
    Local community anti-drug coalitions

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What is the prevalence of binge drinking?

 Binge Drinking, often beginning around age 13, tends to increase during 
adolescence, peak in young adulthood (ages 18 to 22), then gradually 
decrease. 
        Binge drinking during the past 30 days was reported by 8 percent of 
youth ages 12 to 17 and 30 percent of those ages 18 to 20.  
        Among persons under the legal drinking age (12 to 20), 15 percent 
were binge drinkers and 7 percent were heavy drinkers.
        About 10.4 million adolescents ages 12 to 20 reported using alcohol. 
Of those, 5.1 million were binge drinkers and included 2.3 million heavy 
drinkers who binged at lease five times a month.  
        White non-Hispanic youth ages 12 to 17 reported the highest frequency 
of binge drinking (9 percent) as compared to 6 percent of Hispanic and 3 
percent of black non-Hispanic youth.

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