Transcript Slide 1

ALABAMA
NATIONAL GUARD
JOINT SUBSTANCE ABUSE
PROGRAM (JSAP)
UNIT BRIEFING
DRUG FREE – WAY TO BE!
ALNG DRUG DEMAND REDUCTION
CAREER CRASHERS!
Testing positive for drugs is a sure way to
wreck your military career. Ask yourself
“Is it worth jeopardizing my future?”
•Marijuana
•Methamphetamine
•Cocaine
•Prescription Drugs
The Adjutant General’s
Substance Abuse Policy
• Substance abuse, to include alcohol and
drugs, is considered serious misconduct and
is not compatible with military service.
• The Adjutant General is firmly committed to
eliminating substance abuse by soldiers and
airmen.
• Substance abuse can seriously impact
soldiers, airmen, and the units in which they
serve.
• Random drug testing is an important tool for
preventing substance abuse and determining
readiness of soldiers and airmen.
Drug Testing
• Every unit will conduct no less than 2
drug tests per year.
• Each random list of members to be
tested will be developed from a list of
ALL personnel assigned.
• All General Officers, AGR personnel,
MPs, Aviation personnel, counterdrug
personnel, and members that routinely
carry a weapon will be mandatorily
drug tested once each year.
Prescription Drugs
• Taking a prescription drug that was
prescribed for someone else is considered
substance abuse.
• Only take medication that has been
prescribed for you AND only take the
medication in the dose prescribed.
• If you test positive for a drug that has been
prescribed for you, you will be given the
opportunity to provide the JSAP Office with
the prescription and the positive will be
cleared.
MARIJUANA
Would you want to be on a
mission with someone who is
stoned?
BUT IT’S NATURAL!
Yes, so is poison ivy –
but you wouldn’t want
to smoke that!
Marijuana’s “natural” smoke
contains 3-5 times as much of
tobacco’s cancer-causing toxins.
WHAT IS MARIJUANA?
Marijuana is the most commonly abused drug
among soldiers and airmen.
Marijuana positives are the number one cause of
substance abuse discharges in the military.
MARIJUANA IN THE BRAIN
• Main active chemical is
Delta-9-THC
(tetra-hydro-cannabinol)
• THC affects learning and
memory.
• Senses and motivations are also
affected by THC.
• Reflexes are slowed.
SHORT-TERM EFFECTS OF
USING MARIJUANA
Trouble with memory,
learning, and problem
solving skills can occur
after only a few uses.
Senses of sight, hearing, touch,
time, and depth are distorted.
Physical performance is affected.
LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF
USING MARIJUANA
Permanent damage to thinking and
reasoning ability.
Increased tolerance (takes more
pot to get same result as before).
Chronic bronchitis, frequent chest
colds, and pneumonia.
Most common long term effect is
amotivational syndrome.
ONE OF THE GATEWAY DRUGS
• MJ, tobacco, alcohol, and
now misused prescription
drugs are known as
“Gateway” drugs.
• Using these makes one
more likely to go on to
using other illegal drugs.
OTHER FACTS TO KNOW
• About 33% of arrested reckless
drivers tested positive for marijuana
in one study (it DOES affect your
motor skills!).
• Possession of pot is illegal and
charges carry high fines & jail time.
METHAMPHETAMINE
CRYSTAL, CRANK, SPEED, ICE –
TROUBLE BY WHATEVER NAME
METHAMPHETAMINE
• Meth is “cooked up” by drug dealers in
clandestine labs.
• These labs can be found just about anywhere and
are highly volatile and toxic to humans and the
environment.
• The chemical vapors produced
during cooking permeate the walls
and carpets of dwelling, making
them uninhabitable.
• These labs are often guarded by
attack dogs and booby traps.
WARNING SIGNS OF METH LABS
• Unusual, strong odors similar to the that of
fingernail polish remover or cat urine
• Renters who pay cash
• Large amounts of products such as cold
medicines, antifreeze, drain cleaner, lantern
fuel, coffee filters, batteries, duct tape, clear
glass beakers and containers
• Residences with windows blacked out and
lots of nighttime traffic.
METH USE EFFECTS
• Meth is a powerfully addictive and violent
drug.
• Its use can result in fatal kidney and lung
disorders, brain damage, liver damage,
chronic depression, and other physical
and mental disorders.
• Recent studies have demonstrated that
meth causes more damage to the brain
than alcohol, heroin, or cocaine.
METH EFFECTS
• Meth causes mental confusion, severe
anxiety, and paranoia.
• Methamphetamine users are very
aggressive which often results in violent
behavior. (Stay away from people you
know are doing this drug.)
• There is a direct relationship between
methamphetamine abuse and increased
incidents of domestic violence and child
abuse.
“Is meth use worth
jeopardizing my future?”
• Using meth is illegal.
• It hurts your loved ones.
• It is detrimental to your health
and physical appearance.
• It destroys the environment.
• It is wildly addictive &
• Leaves ruined lives in its path.
• Do we want soldiers and
airmen on a mission?
COCAINE AND CRACK
Short-lived fantasy high,
long lasting real-life nightmare.
COCAINE/CRACK
What’s the difference?
• Cocaine is the powdered
form of the drug, usually
sniffed up the nose, but
sometimes diluted &
injected into a vein.
• Crack is the purest form
of cocaine and is smoked.
COCAINE/CRACK
• In any form it causes immense cravings –
it is highly addictive in a very short time.
• Users develop a marked tolerance – more
is needed to achieve the same effect as
before.
• Addicts empty bank
accounts, sell possessions,
commit crimes, sell bodies,
and betray loved ones to get
more of the drug.
Physical Effects of
COCAINE
• Increased blood pressure,
heart rate, breathing, and
temperature.
•Irregular heart rhythm &
altered blood pressure.
•Heart attack, strokes and respiratory failure.
•Hepatitis or AIDS from shared needles.
•Reduction of the body’s ability to resist or combat
infection.
Psychological Effects of
COCAINE
• Violent, erratic, or paranoid behavior.
• Hallucinations and coke bugs – the
sensation of bugs crawling over skin.
• Confusion, anxiety and depression, loss
of interest in food or sex.
• “Cocaine psychosis” – losing touch with
reality, loss of interest in friends,
family, sports, hobbies, and other
activities.
COCAINE/CRACK
“It won’t happen to me,” you say?
• In a recent year over 165,000 emergency
room visits were due to cocaine use.
• In that year, over 4500 users died from
cocaine, not including those murdered for
using or selling it.
• Up to 75% of people who try cocaine will
become addicted to it. Only 1 out of 4 who
try to quit will be able to without help.
“Is cocaine use worth
jeopardizing my future?”
• Do a line and you may
do some time!
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
Legal when used as PRESCRIBED
by a physician.
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
• The nonmedical use or abuse of
prescription drugs is a serious and
growing public health problem in the U.S.
• Prescription drugs are legal – but only if
you have a prescription for them.
• Doctors write prescriptions based on
health conditions, body size and other
factors. Using them without a
prescription (or letting someone else
use them) is illegal and dangerous.
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
The most commonly abused prescription
drugs are:
• Stimulants may cause increased or
irregular heart beat, paranoia, or seizures.
• Narcotics (Pain Relievers): Can easily
lead to addiction or serious overdose.
• Depressants cause slow brain
functioning, confusion and memory loss.
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
Many depressants have warning labels like,
“Do Not use when operating motor
vehicles or heavy equipment.” They can
impair your driving ability the same as
alcohol.
DRUG TESTING FOR
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
• Effective 1 OCT 05, all specimens will
be tested for Oxycodone.
• Remember – The use of bodybuilding
supplements containing steroids are
prohibited and are illegal.
• THC consumed in any form is
prohibited.
WHAT IS AT STAKE?
“It’s my body, it’s my life...” is a
line that can be very costly to:
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Your Family
Your Career
Your Future
Your Reputation
Your Life!
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Several helpful resources
and websites are available:
• www.intheknowzone.com
• www.saying-no.com
• www.streetdrugs.org
• www.health.org
• www.freevibe.com
• www.theantidrug.com
QUESTIONS?
For more information on substance
abuse, its effects or treatment, please
contact your National Guard Joint
Substance Abuse Office at
(334) 394-7559
JOINT SUBSTANCE
ABUSE PROGRAM
(JSAP)
UNIT DRUG EDUCATION BRIEFING
1 October 2005