RED RIBBON WEEK
2015
October 23 – October 31
The Red Ribbon
Campaign® is the
oldest and largest drug
prevention program in
the nation.
Sponsored by National
Family Partnership
www.redribbon.org
Source: www.redribbon.org
The Red Ribbon Campaign® was started
when drug traffickers in Mexico City
murdered DEA agent Kiki Camarena in
1985. This began the continuing tradition
of displaying Red Ribbons as a symbol of
intolerance towards the use of drugs.
The mission of the Red Ribbon Campaign®
is to present a unified and visible
commitment towards the creation of a
Drug-Free America.
www.redribbon.org
Source: www.redribbon.org
Porter Ridge High School is
celebrating its commitment to a
Drug-Free America with
Wear RED Day.
PRHS “Wear RED Day”
Wednesday, October 28th
Source: www.bladenonline.com
ALCOHOL
Drinking too much – on a single
occasion or over time – can take a
serious toll on your health.
Brain:
- Mood and behavior
changes
- Hard to think clearly and
move with coordination
Pancreas:
- Pancreatitis that prevents
proper digestion
Cancer:
- Increase risk of cancers
Heart:
of the mouth, esophagus,
- Cardiomyopathy, irregular throat, liver, and breast
heart beat, stroke, and high
blood pressure.
Immune System:
- Weaken the immune
Liver:
system, making your body
- Fatty liver, alcoholic
a much easier target for
hepatitis, fibrosis, cirrhosis
disease
Source: http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/
Source: egomagonline.com
MARIJUANA
During an annual survey of high school
seniors, students reported the following
problems due to daily marijuana use:
- Loss of energy (43%)
- Negative effects on relationships with
parents (39%)
- Interference with work ability and ability
to think clearly (37%)
- Less interest in other activities (37%)
- Inferior performance in school or on the
job (34%)
Source: powerfulparenting.com
Image source: readycoalition.org
When abused or used indiscriminately, marijuana use may
lead to side effects such as memory and learning problems,
loss of coordination, paranoia, panic attacks, problem
solving difficulties, and distorted perception.
Source: www.imarijuana.com
Source: http://headsup.scholastic.com/
E-CIGARETTES
Although they do not produce
tobacco smoke, e-cigarettes
still contain nicotine and
other potentially harmful
chemicals.
-
Nicotine is a highly addictive drug, and recent research suggests nicotine
exposure may also prime the brain to become addicted to other substances.
-
Also, testing of some e-cigarette products found the vapor to contain known
-
The health consequences of repeated exposure to these chemicals are not yet clear.
carcinogens and toxic chemicals (such as formaldehyde and acetaldehyde), as
well as potentially toxic metal nanoparticles from the vaporizing mechanism.
Source: www.drugabuse.gov
MDMA
Ecstasy or Molly
MDMA causes a surge of serotonin
This surge depletes the brain of this
important chemical, causing
negative after effects including:
-
Confusion
-
Depression
-
Sleep problems
-
Drug craving
-
Anxiety
Other uncomfortable and
sometimes dangerous side effects of
MDMA use include muscle tension,
involuntary teeth clenching, nausea,
blurred vision, faintness, and chills
or sweating.
Source: addictionblog.org
Source: www.drugabuse.gov
METHAMPHETAMINE
AKA: meth, crystal, chalk, and ice
Long term users may experience:
-
Anxiety
-
Confusion
-
Insomnia
-
Mood disturbances & violent behavior
Long term users may also exhibit
symptoms of psychosis, such as paranoia,
visual and auditory hallucinations, and
delusions (for example, the sensation of
insects crawling under the skin).
Physical health consequences:
Source: addictionblog.org
-
extreme weight loss
-
“meth mouth” severe dental problems
-
skin sores caused by scratching
Source: www.drugabuse.gov
PRESCRIPTION DRUG
ABUSE
The most commonly abused classes of prescription
drugs include:
-
Opioids (for pain)
-
Central nervous system (CNS)
-
Depressants (for anxiety and sleep disorders)
-
Stimulants (for ADHD and narcolepsy)
From 1999 to 2010, overdose deaths increased
400% for women and 265% for men.
There are 5 prescription drug deaths for
every 1 recreational drug use.
Since 2008, prescription
Source: ksrowell.com
drug deaths
outnumber traffic fatalities in the U. S.
Data source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention &
www.drugabuse.gov
Illicit drug use - which includes the abuse of illegal drugs and/or the misuse
of prescription medications or household substances - is something many
adolescents engage in occasionally, and a few do regularly.
By the twelfth grade, about half
of adolescents have abused an
illicit drug at least once.
Source: www.hhs.gov
If you or someone you know needs help…
Call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration’s substance abuse treatment helpline at
1-800-662-HELP
Confidential, free service, along with referrals to local
treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based
organizations, are available for individuals and family
members facing substance abuse and mental health issues.