Health Concern Over Synthetic Cannabinoids

There is another dangerous drug trend causing concern amongst public health officials. Synthetic cannabinoids have been linked to impaired driving crashes, attempted suicides and a rise in Emergency Department visits. According to the American Association of Poison Control Center’s National Poison Data System (NPDS) the emergency calls doubled between 2010 and 2011 due to synthetic drug use.

Synthetic marijuana is a mixture of herbs and spices applied with a synthetic chemical compound (psychotropic drug JWH- 018 and JWH-073) similar to THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. Spice is sold in smoke shops and head shops in a variety of colors/flavors-usually sold in foil packaging or in small glass containers. It is sold as incense and marked “not for human consumption” and is dangerous and addictive.  Nicknames for synthetic marijuana include: Fake weed, spice, K-2 spice, K-2 summit, Black Mamba, Genie, Zohai, Serenity Now, Zombie Zilla.

According to A Parternship for a Drug Free America symptoms of use are  hallucinations (can be intense), severe agitation, vomiting , elevated heart rate (tachycardia—in the range of 110-150 beats/minute), elevated blood pressure (in the 140-160/100-110 range), tremors and seizures (central nervous system), anxiety, numbness and tingling, agitation, and/or pale appearance. All effects of K2/Spice drugs may not be known for a very long time because of long time period that body stores them.

Spice/K2 was developed by Dr. John W.Huffman, a Clemson University professor, as part of research for the National Institute for Drug Abuse (NIDA) on endogenous cannabinoid receptors-but never tested on humans nor approved by the FDA. Dr. Huffman said in an interview to WebMD, “It is like Russian roulette to use these drugs. We don’t know a thing about them for real. It shouldn’t be out there.”

K2 has been banned in many countries and 38 states. New York State is considering legislation. The Drug Enforcement Agency published a final order in the Federal Register temporarily placing five synthetic cannabinoids  into Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act.

What if I have concerns about someone smoking “Spice” or other similar products?

Take individual to the emergency room or the nearest hospital. The Upstate New York Poison Control Center can be reached at 1-800-222-1222. If you are someone you know is struggling with alcohol and addiction, please call the National Council on Alcoholism and Other Drug Dependencies/Putnam for information and referral services at (845) 225-4646.

Members of the Putnam CTC Coalition are available if you have any questions or would like for us to do a presentation to your organization on this or any other substance abuse trends that affect our children.  Please visit and join us on Facebook by searching “Putnam County Communities That Care – NY” or on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/PutnamCTCNY or call 845-225-4646.                   

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Know! Addiction Doesn't Play Favorites

 Whitney Houston’s sudden and tragic death will continue to be speculated and talked about by news media, and individuals, for weeks to come. Once the toxicology report is released, the subject is sure to reignite. More than likely, at one point or another, a conversation about Ms. Houston will emerge in your home. But parents beware; depending on how you discuss the issue of drug and alcohol addiction, you may be reinforcing attitudes and beliefs in your children, based on stereotypes, not facts.

Question: How do you think most people would describe a typical addict?

Common answers include: Emotionally Weak - Can’t Handle Stress - No Willpower - Uncaring - Immoral - Selfish.

Would you agree that most people do in fact think it is “that kind of person” who is more likely to develop an alcohol or other drug addiction? If this is true, it should simply be a matter of adjusting who they are, right? If only they become stronger, display greater willpower, start caring more about the people in their lives than their drug of choice; then they should be able to beat their addiction, right? If only it were so easy.

Perhaps Whitney Houston was under that same misperception when, in reference to her personal struggles with alcohol, marijuana, cocaine and pills, she said, “The biggest devil is me.” In that same interview she went on to say that in the past she chose to use these substances and that now she is simply choosing not to use. She claimed she was done with drugs. That was ten years ago. We know that prescription pills and alcohol were found in her hotel room where she recently died.

In reality, for a person addicted to alcohol or other drugs, the biggest devil is the drug itself. While “choices” absolutely lay the groundwork toward the path to addiction, recovery is about much more than willpower or the love of family. It is not a matter of strength versus weakness. Substance addiction is a disease resulting from changes in brain chemistry, which is powerful and consuming. Professional help is usually required to treat the disease and make permanent lifestyle changes.

Reality also reveals that addiction does not play favorites. There is no one person who can be defined as the stereotypical addict. A loving parent raising his/her children or a teenager with a seemingly bright future is at-risk, just like this Grammy award-winning celebrity.

The take-away message for parents: When the subject comes up, especially in the presence of young, impressionable children, be mindful of what you say and how you say it. Dispel the myth that addiction only happens to, “that kind of person.” Youth need to know that it can happen to anyone, including them. Reinforce the importance of making good decisions and remind your child that one high-risk choice can change the course of everything. Speaking with empathy, not judgment, resonates more with young people and promotes open conversation, increasing your child’s comfort level in talking with you about sensitive subjects like this and other drug-related topics.

Sources : Diane Sawyer/Whitney Houston Interview, ABC, 2002. Prime For Life, Prevention Research Institute.

CTC Coalition Prevention Observance: National Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week – March 18-24

The culprit is legal, poisonous, cheap, accessible, and right in your home. Children and teens are using household products to get high. In an effort to raise awareness to parents, students and community members regarding this somewhat overlooked substance use, the National Inhalants and Poison Awareness Week (NIPAW) will be observed March 18-24, 2012. This prevention week will focus on providing education, resources, and information on risks of inhalant use.

The problem has a presence in Putnam County. According to the 2011 Prevention Needs Assessment Survey, 7.4% of student’s grades 8-12 have used inhalants to get high in their lifetime. 2.4% of student’s grades 8-12 have used inhalants to get high one or more times in the past 30 days.

According to The Partnership for a Drug Free America, “Inhalants are ordinary household products that are inhaled or sniffed by children to get high.”  Examples of products intentionally used to get high are computer keyboard cleaner, cleaning fluids, nail polish remover, paint thinners, and even model airplane glue. The slang for inhalant use includes glue, kick, sniff, huff, Texas Shoe Shine, etc.

What are the side effects to inhalant use? Due to the oxygen deprivation that goes along with this particular substance use, the effects can be fatal. “The user can experience slight stimulation, feeling of less inhibition or loss of consciousness. The user can also suffer from Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome. This means the user can die the 1st, 10th or 100th time he or she uses an inhalant. Other effects include damage to the heart, kidney, brain, liver, bone marrow and other organs” (National Inhalant Prevention Coalition).

What are signs that parents and guardians can look for if they suspect their child is abusing household products? According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, here are a few signs:

·         Slurred speech

·         Drunk, dizzy, or dazed appearance

·         Unusual breath odor   

·         Chemical smell on clothing

·         Paint stains on body or face

·         Red eyes

·         Runny nose

“Prevention is the key. Parents are encouraged to keep an inventory of potentially harmful chemicals in their household and talk to their children, no matter how young, about the dangers or sniffing or ingesting harmful substances. Let your children know that inhalants can not only severely damage their bodies, but can cause violent behavior that can hurt those around them.” stated Joseph DeMarzo, Director of the Putnam County Mental Health/Youth Bureau.

“If you are a student and know someone who uses inhalants, encourage them to stop and get help. Let them know the dangers of their use. If you are using inhalants, it’s never too late to talk to an adult you trust and make the necessary steps to recovery.” stated Kristin McConnell, Executive Director of the National Council on Alcoholism and Other Drug Dependencies/Putnam.

Members of the Putnam CTC Coalition are available if you have any questions or would like for us to do a presentation to your organization on this or any other substance abuse trends that affect our children. Please call the Putnam County Communities That Care Coalition at 845-225-4646, Ext. 13 for information and referrals. Please visit and join us on Facebook by searching “Putnam County Communities That Care – NY” or on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/PutnamCTCNY or call 845-225-4646.

The Allergy- A Quirky Video on Tobacco Prevention

Check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUSWXzHi0GE

Another young soul, same old story

While Whitney Houston's cause of death is unknown at this time, it is well known that she struggled with addiction for many, many years. Her erratic behavior had been well documented during the last week of her life, and it appears she may have drowned due to drug inducement. She was a powerhouse of talent with enormous potential, will stories like these help convince young people that drugs simply aren't worth it? Rest in Peace.


The following is the story of her death from the Huffington Post.

Whitney Houston, who reigned as pop music's queen until her majestic voice and regal image were ravaged by drug use, has died. She was 48.

The superstar singer and actress's publicist, Kristin Foster, broke the news of Houston's passing to the AP, but thus far, no cause of death has been revealed.

She was found at the Beverly Hills Hilton. The showbiz website TMZ reports that the singer was found in the bath, and that while no illegal drugs had been seized by police, prescription drugs have been found in Houston's room.

Hotel sources have told the website that she was found by her bodyguard, and that despite attempts to resuscitate her, she was pronounced dead at 3:55pm local time on Saturday afternoon. She was due to perform at a pre-Grammy award party in Los Angeles last night.

Police in Los Angeles said that Houston and her entourage, which included friends, family and co-workers, had taken up a "fair portion" of the hotel's fourth floor.

"She was pronounced dead at the hotel and a number of people were able to identify her," Lieutenant Mark Rosen from Beverly Hills Police told the BBC.

"We still have detectives and crime scene investigators at the hotel, we are looking into the matter as a death investigation its not a crime scene at this time," he added.

At her peak in the 1980s and 1990s, Houston was the golden girl of the music industry and one of the world's best-selling artists.

Among her hits were How Will I Know, Saving All My Love for You and I Will Always Love You.

She won multiple Grammys including album and record of the year and her success carried her beyond music to movies like The Bodyguard.

But by the end of her career, drug use took its toll as her record sales plummeted and her voice became raspy and hoarse.

Children of Alcoholics Week February 12-18, 2012

The National Association for Children of Alcoholics (NACoA) will be observing its Children of Alcoholics (COA) Week from February 12-18, 2012. COA Week “celebrates the recovery of the many thousands of children (of all ages) who have received the help they needed to recover from the pain and losses suffered in their childhood, and it offers hope to those still suffering from the adverse impact of parental alcohol and drug addiction”. (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration).

According to the NACoA,

• it is estimated that one in four children in the United States under age 18 is hurt by family alcohol abuse or alcoholism, and that countless others are affected by parental drug use.
• there is strong scientific evidence that alcoholism runs in families with children of alcoholics being 2 to 4 times more likely to develop alcoholism than children of non-alcoholics.
• young children of alcoholics exhibit symptoms of depression and anxiety to a greater extent than children of non-alcoholics; and incur increasing health care costs and experience more life problems over the lifespan.
• young children of alcohol or drug dependent parents often have difficulty in school and are more likely to be truant, drop out of school, repeat grades, or be referred to a school counselor or psychologist.
• children of addicted parents, with interest and support from family, friends, health professionals, teachers, clergy, and others, can avoid the negative effects of familial alcoholism and drug dependence.

“Home is what most children consider a safe environment, but unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. It is essential that children currently living in the difficult situation of parental alcohol addiction know that there are resources out there to help them and that there are individuals out there who are in recovery from the situation and are living healthy and full lives. They have to know that they aren’t alone” stated Joseph DeMarzo, Director of Putnam County Mental Health/Youth Bureau. “The Youth Bureau offers Pegasus, which is a free and confidential program for children ages 6 to 14 who have a parent or family member suffering from alcoholism or other drug dependency.  Pegasus is an eight week program held twice a year that offers information, support and hope to both children and families. For more information, please call us at (845)808-1600 ext. 46126.” DeMarzo said.

“We support this national observance because we don’t want those who need the encouragement the most to fall through the cracks. Something as simple as celebrating those who are in recovery from parents who have suffered from addiction can help young people currently in a difficult situation”, stated Kristin McConnell, Executive Director of the National Council on Alcoholism and Other Drug Dependencies of Putnam (NCADD).

The Putnam County Communities That Care (CTC) Coalition is an anti-drug coalition that works to build a safe and healthy family-oriented community, which includes reducing the use of harmful substances by our adolescents. It is composed of individuals from all sectors of the community who work together to reduce risk factors and strengthen protective factors through education, enforcement and policy initiatives.

Members of Putnam CTC Coalition are available if you have any questions or would like for us to do a presentation to your organization on this or any other substance abuse trends that affect our children. Please call the Putnam County Youth Bureau at 845-808-1600 Ext. 46117 or NCADD Putnam at 845-225-4646, Ext. 13 for further information. Please visit and join us on Facebook by searching “Putnam County Communities That Care – NY” or on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/PutnamCTCNY or call 845-225-4646.