DRUGS

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DRUGS

• GET THE FACTS.

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FACT
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In Hunterdon County, a survey of 9th 11th grade
students found that...

• 3 out of 4 have had at least ONE drink.
• 1 in 6 were 10 years or younger when they had
  their first drink!
• 1 in 4 have had five or more drinks in a row in
  the past month!
• 1 in 3 have tried marijuana, cocaine, or other
  illegal substances.
• 1 in 6 have sniffed glue to get high.

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CLEARLY, THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT IS HAPPENING
RIGHT IN OUR OWN HOMES
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FACT
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Young people who use alcohol and drugs are more
likely to...

• Be victims or perpetrators of VIOLENCE.
• Engage in unplanned and unprotected SEX.
• Experience school FAILURE.
• Experience serious INJURY or DEATH from driving.
• Engage in behaviors with serious RISK.

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FACT
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Youth who smoke are more likely than others to
drink heavily or use illicit drugs later on in
life.
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FACT
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In Hunterdon County...

• 1 in 4 high school juniors smoke cigarettes
  regularly. (Thats a lot of carcinogens!)
• Half of the freshmen report having tried
  cigarettes, some when even younger than 9 years
  old.

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THESE FACTS ARE ALARMINGBUT THERE IS ALSO
SOME GOOD NEWS...
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FACT
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In Hunterdon County...

• 4 out of 5 high school Juniors and Freshmen DO
  NOT SMOKE regularly!!!
• 2 out of 3 have NEVER used marijuana cocaine, or
  other illegal drugs!
• 1 in 2 report having NO ALCOHOL in the last 30
  days!

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IT IS IMPORTANT FOR STUDENTS WHO DONT USE TO
KNOW THAT THEY ARE NOT ALONE!
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FACT
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Most youth who do not use alcohol, tobacco, or
illicit drugs credit their parents for their
decision TALK TO YOUR PARENTS!
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Do you suspect drug use?
Drugs
See The Signs
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Recognition of substance abuse symptoms is not
always clear cut.While other variables may be
the cause of symptoms or behaviors, there are
certain signs that occur often with alcohol/drug
abusers. If you notice any of these signs,
take the time to check it out!
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PHYSICAL SIGNS
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THE EYES

• Watery
• Bloodshot
• Extremely wide or extremely small pupils
• Overuse of eyedrops

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THE FACE

• Marks like paint or ink near the nose
• Spots or sores around the mouth

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ODOR

• Odor of a particular substance
• Body breath odor unusual

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NEEDLE TRACKS

• Skin boils sores
• Injection points and scars, which can get infected

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PHYSICAL HEALTH

• Sudden or rapid loss of weight
• Deterioration in skin tone and color

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APPETITE EXTREMES

• None or very little
• Huge, especially for sweets or liquids
• Munchies

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IMPAIRED COORDINATION

• Clumsy
• Loss of balance
• Problems with eye-hand coordination

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STOMACHACHES

• Complaints of abdominal pain (may be related to
  withdrawal symptoms)
• Also look for tremors or shakes

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PSYCHOLOGICAL SIGNS
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UNUSUAL EMOTIONAL EXTREMES

• Hysterical crying
• or hysterical laughter

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PARANOIA or FEAR

• Convinced someone
• is after them
• very suspicious

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CHANGE IN PERSONALITY ATTITUDE

• Sudden or dramatic changes in character,
  demeanor, manners, and/or behaviors.

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LACK OF INTEREST

• Loss of interest in former goals Loss of
  interest in classes, sports, or hobbies
• (as compared to prior interest)

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SLEEP PATTERNS
ZZZZZZZZs

• Constantly sleepy Unusual patterns of sleep
  Sleep during unusual times of the day

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ALERTNESS

• Overly stimulated or, lack of alertness
• Difficulty concentrating

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CHANGE IN TEMPERAMENT

• Unusual flare-ups of temper Extreme anger
• Angry all the time.

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PERCEPTUAL DISTORTIONS

• Sees or hears things incorrectly or bizarrely
  Hallucinations or delusions
• (seeing things that arent there hearing voices
  in their head unusual/odd beliefs)

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MEMORY PROBLEMS
X

• Difficulty with day to day memories, and/or
  long-term memory

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DECISION-MAKING

• Difficulty making simple decisions Poor
  judgement

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SOCIAL CHANGES
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CHANGES IN FRIENDS

• Rejection of former friends New friends who
  seem to get into more trouble.

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SOCIAL WITHDRAWAL

• Isolated from old friends and family hides in
  room or away from others.

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ALIENATION OF FAMILY
X

• Turning away from family members Avoids contact.

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BEHAVIORAL CHANGES
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UNUSUAL BEHAVIORS AT HOME

• Suddenly locking doors
• burning incense etc.

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MONEY ISSUES

• Borrowing money
• sudden excess of money
• money missing from the home

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EXCUSES AND RATIONALIZATIONS

• Unbelievable reasons given for behaviors, needs,
  etc.

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CHANGES IN APPEARANCE

• Sudden changes in hair, clothing, accessories.

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CARRYING UNUSUAL PARAPHERNALIA

• Unusual items such as rags, socks, toilet paper
  rolls, etc More typical tems such as candy
  containers, white-out, etc.
• If it seems odd, check it out!

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MISSING MEDICATIONS FROM THE HOME

• Keep an eye out for missing over the counter and
  prescription drugs.

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SCHOOL-RELATED CHANGES
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SKIPPING CLASSES

• Missing classes or tardiness

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SUDDEN TRUANCY

• Occassional or prolonged

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LOWER GRADES

• May be a drop in one grade
• (from Bs to Cs)
• not necessarily a dramatic drop.

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DRUGSGet the help

• Do you suspect, or know, that someone close to
  you is using drugs?
• Would you like to find out more information on
  how you can talk to your children about substance
  abuse?
• Do you know someone who needs help right away?

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If you suspect that someone is using substances,
or if you have any questions about substance use
and abuse and what you can do, call

• HUNTERDON HELPLINE
• at 2-1-1 or 1-800-272-4630
• for CONFIDENTIAL Information and Referral
• (www.helplinehc.org)

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Or you can call directly to these Hunterdon
County Agencies
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ALCOHOL/DRUG COUNSELING

• 1) Hunterdon Behavioral Health
• Outpatient Services - Alcohol Substance Abuse
• 2100 Wescott Drive, Flemington, NJ 08822
  [phone]
• 2) Hunterdon Drug Awareness Program
• 8 Main Street, Flemington, NJ 08822
  [phone]
• 3) Hunterdon Prevention Resources
• 89 Park Avenue, Flemington, NJ 08822
  [phone]
• 4) Catholic Charities
• 6 Park Avenue, Flemington, NJ 08822
  [phone]

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SUICIDE PREVENTION

• 1) Hunterdon Medical Center - Emergency Services
• 24 Hour Emergency Counseling
• [phone]
• 2) Hunterdon Helpline 2-1-1
• [phone]

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COUNSELING SERVICES

• 1) Hunterdon Medical Center
• Provides therapeutic services for all ages
• 2100 Wescott Drive, Flemington, NJ 08822 (908)
  788-6401
• 2) Family Crisis Intervention Unit
• 24 Hour Crises Counseling [phone]
• 3) School Based Youth Services
• Services to all Hunterdon County High Schools and
  many Elementary Districts Offers counseling,
  support, health, recreation general
  information [phone]
• 4) Catholic Charities Individual, family,
  group therapy
• 6 Park Avenue, Flemington, NJ 08822 (908)
  782-7905

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SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES

• HIV/AIDS - Testing Counseling
• (908) 806 - 4893