Mid-South Substance Abuse Commission
General Information
Client Satisfaction Survey results are available for FY 2003/2004 for adult programs and 2004/2005 for adults and adolescent programs. Click on the links below to view those results.
Satisfaction Survey Results FY2006.2007 Adolescent Satisfaction Survey Results FY2005.2006 Adult Satisfaction Survey Results FY2005.2006 FY 2003/04 Adult Programs FY 2004/05 Adult Programs FY 2004/05 Adolescent Programs
For updated information on the "Child Protection Law", use the following: http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2005-2006/publicact/pdf/2006-PA-0583.pdf
Click on the links below for some past issues of "Mid-South News".
For Your Information
Some commonly used household (and food) items are popular to use to get high. These products include Glade Air Freshener; nail polish remover; and Nutmeg (the spice). Nutmeg is apparently quite popular and is a hallucinogen, with effects that can last as long as 5-12 hours, with after effects lasing from 1-2 days. Computer "dusters" are another popular way to get high among youth.
Alcohol: The Most Abused Drug in the United States
Alcohol is by far the most abused drug by today's youth. The latest surveys reflect that 60% of suburban parents see nothing wrong with alcohol use by minors, with adult supervision. The attitude is that it's just alcohol, not drugs. In addition, today's youth are growing up with a lax parental attitude setting an example. In addition, they are inundated with the outside exposure of the internet. Many web sites entice youth into mixing alcohol with GHB and other over-the-counter drugs, which results in misinformation that these mixtures will produce a bigger and better high.
How can parents know what signs or clues to look for to determine if their children are using drugs or alcohol? Below are some helpful tips.
- When your child goes to someone's home to spend the night, be sure to call to verify that they will indeed spend the entire night with adult supervision.
- Have an "open door" policy at home for your child's) bedroom. Look for signs of alcohol and/or drug abuse in the room.
- If they are receiving packages in the mail, have them open the package in front of you.
What are Rave Parties
There are two types of raves; Underground Rave and Invitation Only Party. The Underground Rave is advertised through word-of-mouth, internet, web sites, e-mail, or a plain flyer with a date and phone number to call. They advertise there are NO drugs, NO alcohol. When the phone number is called, there is a coded message that drugs will be allowed. Raves that are underground have heavy drug use. Even if someone says they are not taking drugs at the party, they are highly susceptible to having drugs placed in their drink or food. The availability of any type of drugs for comboing (using many drugs together) is done often, and is common due to the availability of large varieties of drugs. The chances of a female being sexually molested at these parties is high. Other dangers include fire code violations, overcrowding, sanitation, robbery, theft, and unsafe buildings. The age at an underground rave can be as early as 11 years old. Searches at the door are for the purpose of finding weapons, NOT drugs. An Invitation Only Party can consist of smaller, more controlled groups of people, and flyers are generally handed out at local clubs, schools, or chat rooms. They are a more select group of attendees with the specific intention to encourage the use of drugs and alcohol.
Some of the drugs used in clubs are as follows:
Ecstasy Slang includes XTC, X-Love Drug, Hug Drug, Energy, "E", "X". Used to magnify feelings during the rave culture experience. Medically known as a hallucinogen, but it rarely causes hallucinations. Is also known as a soft hallucinogen because of the effects it has on the body's senses, and it causes a major release of serotonin in the brain. Is most commonly found in pill form, stamped with a trendy symbol. It can also be found in powder form or capsule and is rarely found in liquid form.
Ketamine Slang includes "K", Special K, Super K, Vitamin K, Kitt Katt. This is an anesthetic used for small animals (90%) and humans (10%). it is a soft hallucinogen and is usually used at rave parties in combination with other party drugs. It takes one away from reality. Can be injected or snorted; snorting is the most common method of use. Causes several stages of intoxication, ranging from becoming immobile and having waves of emotion; to paranoia, having bizarre and impulsive behavior; to acting stoned and having flashbacks. Ketamine can be found in liquid form that appears slightly thicker than water, and also in a crystalline powder form that looks similar to cocaine.
GHB Slang includes Liquid X, Liquid Ecstasy, Water, and is also known as the Date Rape Drug. It is a clear, odorless and colorless liquid, slightly thicker than water, with a salty, plastic taste. Can be disguised in fruit juices, water, soda or mixed drinks. It can also be found in water bottles, mouthwash bottles or eye drop bottles and is normally diluted. It is commonly taken with other drugs, especially alcohol, and can intoxicate to a .10-.20 blood alcohol level. GHB is extremely dangerous when used with alcohol. It is also used as a sexual assault and knockout drug.
Nitrous Oxide Slang includes N20, Laughing Gas. Nitrous tanks are normally blue in color. A person dispensing Nitrous at a rave will use any tanks available, such as oxygen or acetylene tanks. Whipped cream cans can also be used. Nitrous Oxide is an oxidizer, meaning it displaces oxygen. Its use at parties is for the extreme anesthesia effect and sometimes for the effect of becoming unconscious. It is common at parties for people to do "runs" on the drug, which results in filling the lungs repeatedly, causing the person to pass out. This becomes a spectator sport.
Other drugs used at parties include LSD and Marijuana.
Warning Signs of Rave/Club Drug Culture
Warning signs include rave club flyers, internet rave/drug web sites, use of drug related terms, interest in supplements, interest in health products, a change in clothing style, neon colored hair, change in friends, sneaking in or out of the house, staying out all night, a change in sleep patterns.
Prescription Drugs
The non-medical use of prescription drugs is a serious health concern. Inappropriate use can lead to addiction. There are three classes of prescription drugs most commonly abused: Opiods, CNS Depressants, and Stimulants.
Opioids
Prescribed because of their effective pain relieving properties. Taken as prescribed, they can manage pain effectively. Drugs that fall within this class include Morphine, Codeine, OxyContin, Darvon, Vicodin, Dilaudid and Demerol. Besides relieving pain, these drugs affect regions of the brain that meditate what is perceived as pleasure, resulting in the initial euphoria Opioids produce. They also cause drowsiness and depress breathing. Taken in large single doses could cause respiratory depression or be fatal.
CNS Depressants are divided into two groups; Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines.
Barbiturates such as Meberal and Nembutal, are used to treat anxiety, tension and sleep disorders.
Benzodiazepines such as Valium, Librium and Xanax are prescribed to treat anxiety, acute stress reactions, and panic attacks. They also have a more sedating effect (Halcion and Prosom) and can be prescribed for short-term treatment of sleep disorders. CNS Depressants should not be combined with any medication or substance that causes sleepiness, including prescription pain medications, over-the-counter cold or allergy medications or alcohol. The effects of the drugs can combine to slow the heart rate and respiration, which can be fatal. Also, because these drugs work by slowing brain activity, a potential consequence of abuse is when the drug is discontinued, brain activity can rebound to the point of causing seizures.
Stimulants
Enhance brain activity, causing an increase on alertness, attention and energy, accompanied by increases in blood pressure, heart rate and respiration. Stimulants are prescribed to treat only a few health conditions, including narcolepsy, ADHD, and depression that has not responded to other treatments. Stimulants can also be used for short-term treatment of obesity and for those with Asthma. Some stimulants are Dexedrine and Ritalin. They increase blood pressure and heart rate, constrict blood vessels, and increase blood glucose. Consequences of use are extremely dangerous; taking high doses can result in irregular heartbeat, dangerously high body temperature, and/or the potential for cardiovascular failure or seizures. Stimulants should not be mixed with anti-depressants or over-the-counter cold medications containing decongestants.
Marijuana
The main active chemical in Marijuana is THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol). The membranes of certain nerve cells in the brain contain protein receptors that bind to THC, and once securely in place, kick off a series of cellular reactions that ultimately lead to the high that users experience when they smoke marijuana. Marijuana is usually smoked via cigarette (joint) or in a pipe (bong), or sometimes in blunts, which are cigars that are emptied of tobacco and refilled with Marijuana, sometimes in combination with another drug. Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States among students in 8th, 10th and 12th grades nationwide. Short term effects of Marijuana use can include problems with memory and learning, distorted perception; difficulty in thinking and problem solving, loss of coordination and increased heart rate. Research findings for long term use indicate some changes in the brain similar to those after long term use of other major drugs of abuse. Research also shows that a user's risk of a heart attach more than quadruples in the first hour after smoking Marijuana. Marijuana use also has potential to promote cancer of the lungs and other parts of the respiratory system because it contains irritants and carcinogens. Marijuana smoke contains 50-70% more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than tobacco smoke, and also produces high levels of an enzyme that converts certain hydrocarbons into carcinogenic form, levels that may accelerate changes that ultimately produce malignant cells. Also associated with Marijuana use are depression, anxiety and personality disturbances. Its impact on memory and learning can last for days or weeks after the acute effects of the drug weaken. Marijuana use also effect babies born to women who use during pregnancy, causing altered response to visual stimuli, increased tremulousness and a high-pitched cry which could indicate problems with neurological development in the baby. Marijuana exposed children also have more behavioral problems, language comprehension, and poorer attention skills.
LSD
LSD is popular for the hallucinations it causes and the increase in sensual sensitivity, exhibiting bizarre behavior. It is colorless, odorless, and tasteless and can be placed on anything. Can be found on candy bracelets, tootsie roll pops, blotter paper, gel squares or sugar cubes.
Crack and Cocaine
Cocaine is a powerfully addictive drug of abuse. Major routes of administration are sniffing or snorting, injecting and smoking. Snorting is the process of inhaling cocaine powder through the nose; injecting is the act of using a needle to release the drug directly into the bloodstream, and smoking involves inhaling cocaine vapor or smoke into the lungs. Crack is the street name given to Cocaine that has been processed from cocaine hydrochloride to a free base for smoking. Crack cocaine is processed with ammonia or sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and water and heated to remove the hydrochloride, thus producing a form of cocaine that can be smoked. The term "crack" refers to the crackling sound heard when the mixture is smoked (heated), presumably from the sodium bicarbonate. There is great risk whether cocaine is snorted, injected or smoked. Compulsive use may develop more rapidly if it is smoked rather than snorted. Smoking allows high doses to reach the brain quickly and brings an immediate and intense high. The duration of cocaine's euphoric effects depends on the route of administration. The high from snorting may last 15 to 30 minutes while that from smoking may last 5 to 10 minutes. Cocaine is a strong central nervous system stimulant that interferes with the reabsorption of dopamine, a chemical messenger associated with pleasure and movement. Dopamine is released as part of the brain's reward system and is involved in the high that characterizes cocaine consumption.
Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine is an addictive stimulate that strongly activates certain systems in the brain. It is made in illegal laboratories and has a high potential for abuse and dependence. Street methamphetamine is called "speed", "meth", and "chalk". Methamphetamine hydrochloride, clear chunky crystals resembling ice can be inhaled by smoking, is referred to as "ice", "crystal" and "glass". Methamphetamine releases high levels of dopamine which stimulates brain enhancing mood and body movement. Taken orally or intranasally (snorting the powder), by intravenous injection or smoking. The "rush" or "flash" that the user experiences immediately after smoking or injecting lasts only a few minutes and is extremely pleasurable. Users may become addicted quickly. Use causes increased heart rate and blood pressure and can cause irreversible damage to blood vessels in the brain, producing strokes. Other effects are respiratory problems and extreme anorexia.
Cigarettes and Nicotine Products
Nicotine is one of the most heavily used addictive drugs in the United States. It is both a stimulant and a sedative to the central nervous system. Cigarette smoking has been the most popular method of taking nicotine since the beginning of the century. Tobacco use remains the leading preventable cause of death in the United States, causing more than 440,000 deaths each year and resulting in an annual cost of more than $75 billion in direct medical costs. Nicotine is highly addictive. It stimulates the central nervous system and other endocrine glands and causes a sudden release of glucose. Stimulation is then followed by depression and fatigue, leading the user to seek more nicotine. Nicotine is readily absorbed from tobacco smoke, whether the smoke is from cigarettes, cigars or pipes. It is also absorbed when chewed. Stress and anxiety affect nicotine tolerance and dependence. The stress hormone corticosterone reduces the effects of nicotine, therefore, more nicotine must be consumed to achieve the same effect. This increases tolerance and leads to increased dependence. Women who smoke have earlier menopause; if they smoke and take contraceptives they are more prone to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and is especially true for women over 30. Pregnant women who smoke run an increased risk of having stillborn or premature infants with low birth weight. Children of women who smoked have an increased risk for developing conduct disorders. Adolescent smokeless tobacco users have been found to be more likely than non-users to become cigarette smokers.
Cigarette smoke is composed of a dozen gasses (mainly carbon monoxide) and tar. The tar, which varies from about 15 mg for a regular cigarette, exposes the user to a high expectancy rate of lung cancer, emphysema and bronchial disorders. The carbon monoxide is smoke increases the chance of cardiovascular diseases. Secondhand smoke causes lung cancer in adults and increases the risk of respiratory illnesses in children and sudden infant death.
Alcohol/Drug Abuse Among Older Adults
Abuse of alcohol and legal drugs, both prescribed and over-the-counter, affects up to 17% of adults age 60 and over. Health care providers report it is difficult to diagnose alcoholism in older patients because one-third of them had not abused alcohol in earlier years, nor did they have health , law or family problems associated with problem drinking. Older adults typically begin abusing alcohol and medications following a major life change, i.e., divorce, retirement or death or a spouse. Older adults drink for a variety of reasons; feeling lonely, boredom, being homebound, or to dull pain associated with illness or other conditions.
Alcohol presents a risk to older adults who take prescription medications. They use these drugs almost three times as often as the general population, and have the poorest rates of compliance with dosage directions. Even over-the-counter drugs such as aspirin can be dangerous to older adults who use alcohol. Aspirin alone can cause internal bleeding, and when combined with alcohol, that risk increases. Alcohol use can also cause prescription medications to be less effective.
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2875 Northwind Dr., Ste. 215 * East Lansing, Michigan * 48823 * (517) 337-4406