Prescription Drug Abuse

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Prescription Drug Abuse
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Ryan DePuy
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• Friend
• Son
• Brother
• Soccer player
• Snowboarder
• Junior at Bothell High School

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• Ryan overdosed from 4 different medications on
  April 10th, 2008.
• He was only 17 years old.
• His death could have been prevented.

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Opioids

• Pain Relievers
• Oxycodone (oxycontin)
• Percocet
• Vicodin

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Opioids

• Side Effects
• Low blood pressure
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Respiratory Depression

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Opioids

• Withdrawal
• Flu-like symptoms (fever, nausea, diarrhea)
• Intense dysphoria
• Random anxiety or discomfort

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Depressants

• Treats anxiety and sleep disorders
• Valium
• Xanax

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Depressants

• Side Effects
• Sedation
• Coma
• Decreased respiration
• Lethargy
• Mental confusion

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Depressants

• Withdrawal
• Shakes
• Seizures
• Insomnia
• Can be life-threatening

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Stimulants

• Helps attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
  (ADHD)
• Dextroamphetamin
• Methylphenidate

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Stimulants

• Side Effects
• Fever
• Fast heart rate
• Increased blood pressure
• Seizures

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Stimulants

• Withdrawal
• Irritability
• Increased appetite
• Poor attention
• Intense craving for drug

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Over the Counter (OTC)

• Drugs bought over the counter without a
  prescription

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OTC

• Side Effects
• Vomiting
• Convulsions
• Fast heart rate
• Coma
• Heart attack

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• Once addicted, your brain depends on the drugs to
  function normally.
• After withdrawal, your brain can go back to
  functioning without the drugs.

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Dopamine

• A neurotransmitter in the brain that controls
• Adrenaline
• Pleasure

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Dopamine

• Opiates increase the levels of dopamine so the
  person experiences intense levels of pleasure
• Each time the abuser uses the drug, the level of
  pleasure decreases

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Dopamine

• The abuser is trying to reach the same level of
  pleasure they had the first time they used, that
  is why they increase the amount of drugs they use

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Dopamine

• After abusing drugs, your natural levels of
  dopamine decrease
• This can cause depression and without the drugs
  it is hard to naturally be happy

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Most Teens Do NOT Abuse Prescription Drugs

• Healthy Youth Survey
• Everett School District 10th Graders
• 88 do not use prescription drugs
• Everett School District 12th Graders
• 88 do not use prescription drugs

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Most Teens Do NOT Abuse Prescription Drugs

• Healthy Youth Survey
• Henry M. Jackson High School 10th Graders
• 88 do not use prescription drugs
• Henry M. Jackson High School 12th Graders
• 87 do not use prescription drugs

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• Only 10 of teens in Washington are abusing
  prescription drugs
• 1 in 10 prescription drug abusers will die from
  an overdose

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• Many teens are involved with criminal activity to
  support their addiction because it is so costly

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• Remember, most teenagers do NOT abuse
  prescription drugs
• If you know someone who is, go to a trusted adult
  to get help

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• Any Questions?

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In Action
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In Action