New Studies About ADHD Medicine Use and Abuse

   Getting caught up on some of my blogs this summer and came across several articles and studies about the amazing increase of students with ADHD diagnoses and prescriptions and the many other students using the drugs to give them an edge in school despite not even having the diagnosis. I was alerted to these studies through the Partnership for a DrugFree America blog. I like that the one study mentions the increase in students and adults with ADHD is not necessarily a bad thing as some of the increase is simply due to more information being learned by the doctors and parents about this disorder. In the past, parents may have thought they were bad parents or possibly even abused their child to correct their behavior. Now, parents are more likely to understand that their child may have an ADHD disorder that could be treated with medicine and different parenting and teaching strategies. And the social stigma against these kids by other kids, parents, and teachers is also disappearing. But these articles also show that with the increase of these drugs in the school every day, they are getting abused by both the kids with the disorder and by kids without the disorder. Please click on the links below to read the short article about these studies and this new information. Kind of an eye-opener....

Use of ADHD Drugs Increase this last decade click here

More HS students using ADHD drugs for better grades click here

Long article from NY Times, but LOTS of great information and actual interviews from kids and parents click here

April is "Child Abuse Prevention Month"

   Just a quick blog post letting everyone know that April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. There has been a lot of national media coverage on recent high profile child abuse, especially cases that are sexual in nature. But that is only one type of child abuse. Child abuse could be neglect, physical abuse, emotional abuse, or even verbal abuse. As a counselor, I think psychological and verbal abuse seems to sometimes be the most damaging and is the type of abuse I see the most often. No matter what type of abuse we are talking about, as adults and even as kids, we must all work together to stop this abuse and help the kids. We must also help educate and communicate with the abuser so that future abuse does not occur and the abuser can learn to cope with their anger, hurt, sadness, and any other issues using safer and healthier methods. For more information on National Child Abuse Month, please visit the National Child Abuse Prevention Month website by clicking here!

Here are some other links you can click:

Wide variety of "Tip Sheets" for Parents, Educators, Caregivers

Wide variety of information about Child Abuse and Neglect

Some powerful and eye-opening stats when it comes to Child Abuse

Some Alarming Marijuana Facts

Michael Wenger, who heads up Warren County's STOP (Warren County Standing Together on Prevention) coalition that tries to combat drug use and abuse in Warren County just sent out some pretty alarming facts about marijuana use in Iowa and around our country. I have copy and pasted it below. If you want to follow this great group made up of Warren County residents, they have a facebook page: CLICK HERE!

Marijuana Facts:

Iowa Facts

Marijuana is the most used illicit drug by Iowa teens. 26% of Iowa 11th graders say they’ve used marijuana. [Iowa Youth Survey, 2010]

Marijuana is the most common form of substance abuse among Iowa youth and adults. Over two-thirds (65%) of Iowa juveniles and nearly one-fourth (22%) of Iowa adults in treatment say marijuana is their primary substance of abuse. [Iowa Department of Public Health, 2011]

Marijuana is already perceived as accessible to many young Iowans. 50% of 11th graders say it would be easy or very easy for kids their age to get marijuana in their neighborhood or community. [Iowa Youth Survey, 2010]

Marijuana is, by far, the most common illicit substance detected in workplace drug tests. During the most recent seven year period for which reports are available, 7,391 Iowa employees tested positive for marijuana, or 59.6% of all positive workplace drug test results. [Iowa Department of Public Health, 2008]

Marijuana is often used by methamphetamine users in Iowa. Many of the same criminal groups that smuggle meth into the State also bring and sell marijuana, and when conducting meth investigations Iowa law enforcement officers frequently find marijuana present too. [Iowa Department of Public Safety, 2010]

Marijuana does have the potential for abuse…It is a valid risk…There is a physiological dependence…When dealing with the raw marijuana, you can’t control the dose…It needs to stay a Schedule I because the product can’t be delivered in exactly the same way every time…If I had small children, I wouldn’t want them exposed to someone who is smoking it…There are abuses of marijuana in the states that have “medical marijuana” programs…Over 30% of the written comments we received were just people wanting to smoke pot. [Sampling of concerns voiced by Iowa Board of Pharmacy members on February 17, 2010]

U.S. Facts

The Institute of Medicine concluded that smoking marijuana is not recommended for any long-term medical use, and a subsequent IOM report declared, “marijuana is not modern medicine.”

The federal agency responsible for approving drugs as safe and effective issued an advisory stating it has NOT approved smoked marijuana for any medical condition or disease indication. It noted “there is currently sound evidence that smoked marijuana is harmful.”

According to the Food and Drug Administration, voter measures on “medical marijuana” are inconsistent with efforts to ensure medications undergo the rigorous scientific scrutiny of the FDA approval process and are proven safe and effective under standards of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.

A synthetic version of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, already is approved by the FDA and legally available in pill form as Marinol, for use in amounts as prescribed by physicians whose patients suffer from pain and chronic illness.

Clinical trials on a mouth spray—called Sativex—containing THC and cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, have been completed and results are under review by the FDA. This formulation and delivery system may enhance pain relief, minimize unwanted side effects and regulate how THC enters the bloodstream.

The 2009 National Survey on Drug Use & Health (NSDUH) shows past-month marijuana use among 12-17 year olds rose 9% vs. 2008, coinciding with a softening of youth attitudes about marijuana risks. The 2006-2007 NSDUH State Estimates of Substance Use show perception of risk for smoking marijuana once a month among 12-17 year olds is lowest in 13 states with “medical marijuana” laws. Similarly, 10 of the 15 states with the highest percentage of past month teen marijuana users are states with “medical marijuana” laws. [White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, 2010/Partnership for a Drug-Free America, 2009]

The 2010 Partnership Attitude Tracking Study shows past year marijuana use rose 22% from the year before. This coincides with negative shifts in teen attitudes, particularly a growing belief in the acceptability of drug use. The study shows more teens—52%—agree “being high feels good,” more—71%—say “kids use alcohol because it is fun,” and fewer teens—30%—agree strongly they “don’t want to hang around drug users.” [The Partnership at Drugfree.org, 2011]

Marijuana smokers can have many of the same respiratory problems as tobacco smokers. Workplace studies associate workers’ marijuana smoking with 55% more industrial accidents, 85% more injuries, a 75% increase in absenteeism, more tardiness, more workers comp claims, and higher job turnover compared to non-smokers. [National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2009]

Long-term marijuana abuse can lead to addiction. When trying to quit, long-term marijuana abusers report irritability, sleeplessness, decreased appetite, anxiety, and drug craving, all of which make quitting difficult. [National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2009]

Marijuana legalization, for any purpose, remains a non-starter in the Obama Administration. [White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, 2009]

Marijuana seized now is more potent than marijuana of the 1960s and 1970s. THC levels of tested marijuana samples increased 103% from 1998 to 2008. This increase in potency makes marijuana a much more dangerous drug that can cause a host of physical and psychological problems, including addiction. [White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, 2010]

HOPE Drama Troupe is Looking for Teens to be in their Performances

I have personally seen this group perform and the performance is very powerful. They performed for a conference/workshop I attended last summer and I can still remember the material they presented. At times, it was almost tough to hear or watch, but it was needed information and good for us to hear it. Children everywhere are being abused in a variety of ways and counselors, adults, peers....anyone, need to help stop the abuse. If any students from Carlisle are interested in acting, performing, or getting involved, they can speak to Mr. Barry or call the number listed below. Their is definitely a time commitment involved and a student has to be dedicated to learning their role in the performance. I would also advise both the student and the parents to review the material because it is very powerful, but is graphic in nature at times. It is pretty real when listening and watching, so I assume the performers are also very affected by the material they are presenting. This is a good opportunity any interested students, but it is not for everyone. If interested, let Mr. Barry know!

AUDITIONS

FOR

HOPE! DRAMA TROUPE

Tuesday May 10, 2011

4:00 p.m.

Central Campus

1800 Grand, Des Moines

PERFORMERS WANTED

Des Moines Area Teens (Grades 8-12) who like to perform and who care about social issues for the 10/11 season.

HOPE! Troupe is looking for members to perform a 30-minute play about child abuse prevention for middle and high schools in Polk County. The script deals with the prevention of child abuse, neglect, and other forms of violence. The troupe is under the guidance of professional directors, therapists and the Child Abuse Prevention Council. Troupe members will be expected to attend weekly rehearsals and a summer retreat scheduled for August. Troupe members will also help to write the play as well as perform. HOPE! Drama Troupe performs one day each month from November through May with a few after school performances.

Questions? Call the Child Abuse Prevention Council at 725-2682