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August Fast Facts

FACT #1 A brain imaging study funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse has shown that regular users of marijuana have less gray matter than nonusers of the drug in the orbitofrontal cortex, a brain region that contributes to impulse control, decision making, and learning.  (NIDA) FACT #2 THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocanabinol) is the psychoactive ingredient found in marijuana. Marijuana concentrates contain …

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July Fast Facts

FACT #1 Taking benzodiazepines (e.g. Xanax, Valium, Ativan) while taking prescription opioids can be a dangerous combination. *CDC FACT #2 MYTH: Drugs prescribed by a doctor (Rx) are safer than drugs purchased on the street. FACT: Rx drugs can be just as dangerous as illegal drugs when misused.   (SAMHSA) FACT #3 A property of opioid drugs is their tendency, when used …

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June Fast Facts

FACT #1 Every day in the United States, 114 people die as a result of drug overdoses, and another 6,748 are treated in emergency departments for the misuse or abuse of drugs. (CDC)  FACT #2 50% of young adults admit to having abused prescription stimulants to improve academic performance. (Partnership for Drug Free Kids) FACT #3 When people tamper with …

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How Does Alcohol Affect the Teen Brain?

When teens drink, alcohol affects their brains in the short-term – but repeated drinking can also impact it down the road, especially as their brains grow and develop. Short-Term Consequences of Intoxication (being “drunk”): An intoxicated youth has a harder time making good decisions. A youth is less aware that his/her behavior may be inappropriate or risky. A youth may …

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May Fast Facts

FACT #1 Research on alcohol and drug use, and addiction, has led to an increase of knowledge and to one clear conclusion: Addiction to alcohol or drugs is a chronic but treatable brain disease that requires medical intervention, not moral judgment. (ONDCP)   FACT #2 Long-term studies on patterns of drug use among young people show that very few of them …

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STOP Teen Access to Alcohol

Teen drinking is not inevitable. More than 58% of high school seniors do not drink alcohol, reducing their current risk of injury. One way to prevent teens from drinking is to cut off easy access to alcohol. Unfortunately, right now most teens report that it is easy to get alcohol. Almost 72% of teens who drink get alcohol without having …

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April Fast Facts

FACT #1 Researchers find the cells of young developing brains to be especially vulnerable to damage from alcohol. Most at risk is the hippocampus, an area of the brain responsible for memory, learning, and motivation. (NIAAA) FACT #2 Alcohol is the #1 Youth Drug Problem.  Underage drinking is a leading contributor to death from injuries, which is the main cause …

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Clermont County Parents Say No to Nicotine Experiments on Kids

Imagine if your child brought home a permission slip for you to sign – allowing them to participate in a study of the effects of nicotine on their developing brain. Ummm…NO!!! We don’t need to allow our kids to become experiments to know that nicotine is addictive and causes harm to their developing brains. Unfortunately companies have been successfully marketing …

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March Fast Facts

FACT #1 Inhalant abusers risk an array of other devastating medical consequences. The highly concentrated chemicals in solvents or aerosol sprays can induce irregular and rapid heart rhythms and lead to fatal heart failure within minutes of a session of prolonged sniffing. This syndrome, known as “sudden sniffing death,” can result from a single session of inhalant use by an …

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Protect Children from Prescription Stimulant Abuse

Stimulant medications including amphetamines (e.g., Adderall) and methylphenidate (e.g., Ritalin and Concerta) are often prescribed to treat children, adolescents, or adults diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Prescription stimulants have a calming and “focusing” effect on individuals with ADHD. They are prescribed to patients for daily use, and come in the form of tablets or capsules of varying dosages. Treatment …