Pubdate: Thu, 30 Dec 2004
Source: Hernando Today (FL)
Copyright: 2004, Media General Inc
Contact:  http://www.hernandotoday.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3406
Author: Henry N. Blansfield
Note: Henry N. Blansfield, MD is a member of the Drug Policy Alliance, the 
Advisory Board of the National Association of Methadone Advocates (NAMA) 
and is a retired member of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM).

TEACHING THE FACTS OF DRUGS AND BOOZE

There has been a steady increase in drug and alcohol use among our young 
people nationwide. Fatalities arise from binge drinking followed by 
alcoholic coma and respiratory failure not to mention motor vehicle 
accidents because of driving while impaired. Drug use, including oxycontin 
and snorted heroin, is also up.

There is a desperate need for society to focus on rational preventive 
measures that can reduce these morbid consequences. The most powerful 
antidote to using such chemicals is knowing what their risks are.

The deaths of novice binge drinkers can be reduced if those individuals 
know that consumption of alcohol by someone, without tolerance to it, will 
produce nausea and vomiting, alcoholic coma, shallow respiration, lack of 
oxygen to the brain, the heart and, finally, death. Fatal alcoholic coma 
can be misinterpreted simply as deep sleep by companions, thus delaying 
emergency treatment.

For those frequently consuming alcohol or drugs, such as Seconal, 
Phenobarbital, Zanax, Valium, or Ativan, the major risk is dependence that 
can occur as quickly as thirty to ninety days. Using these chemicals may 
result in impaired motor ability which cause accidents while driving. But 
stopping their use may result in withdrawal. For those habitually using 
alcohol, the symptoms may include anxiety, tremor, sweating, nausea and 
vomiting, seizures and craving. Seizures can occur in those withdrawing 
from some drugs as long as four to six weeks after stopping them.

Stimulant drugs include nicotine, cocaine and amphetamines. Ecstasy is 
currently the most popular "Rave" drug of the amphetamine class. Deaths 
occur due to an increase in body temperature, hypertension and swelling of 
the brain. Long term effects include depression, memory loss, anxiety and 
inability to concentrate. Deaths from cocaine use are usually secondary to 
heart attacks or strokes. Mental illness in the form of feelings of 
suspicion and hostility towards others, mental depression and persistent 
drug craving are not uncommon. Nicotine and tobacco tar absorbed by the 
lungs from tobacco smoking are responsible for over 400,000 deaths a year. 
The common causes of early mortality stem from heart disease plus oral, 
throat and lung cancer.

Opioid drugs include illicit heroin, and commonly prescribed pain-killers 
like Percocet, Percodan, Vicodin and Oxy-Contin. Oxy-Contin has recently 
been noted for its illegal use, theft from pharmacies, unwarranted 
prescription and adulteration enabling it to be injected. Continued 
enjoyment requires increasing dose amounts to obtain the same effect. 
Withdrawal can be a devastating experience. Relapse following abstinence 
treatment for heroin use is 85 to 90 percent due to persistent craving. 
Methadone or Suboxone are effective in normalizing the lives of reforming 
addicts. Methadone is dispensed in licensed clinics. Suboxone is available 
in certified doctors' offices.

Clearly our young people must be provided with a pragmatic, structured, 
realistic, nonjudgmental educational approach to these issues. This should 
be a regular and mandatory component of the science curriculum in grades 6 
through 12. Passing examinations should be required. In this way, our young 
people would have to make an informed decision -- well aware of potential 
adverse consequences -- whether or not to use drugs/alcohol/tobacco when 
the opportunity arises. This part of the science curriculum can be 
standardized and those teaching it prepared by using instructional modules 
made available on the Internet by Duke University and the Drug Policy 
Alliance at safety1st.org. The Boards of Education in our school systems 
are urged to consider this approach.

In short, it is better to "KNOW" than to "JUST SAY NO!"
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MAP posted-by: Beth