Substance Abuse Prevention Conference 2019

Community Education Channel

22 May 201904:06

Summary

TLDRIn Utah, suicide and substance abuse are alarmingly prevalent among youths, with rates exceeding national averages. The Hope Squad addresses this crisis, sharing personal stories to raise awareness. The script highlights the vulnerability of developing teenage brains to impulsive decisions and addiction, emphasizing the role of dopamine. It underscores the need for community-wide efforts, including education on the dangers of substances like marijuana and vaping, which are increasingly normalized among youth. The script calls for involvement from teachers, counselors, and parents to recognize warning signs and support youth, illustrating the urgency of the issue with statistics and personal accounts.

Takeaways

📊 Suicide is the leading cause of death among Utah kids aged 10 to 17, with rates higher than the national average.
🌱 The Hope Squad shares personal stories to raise awareness about the impact of substance abuse on youth.
💊 The teenage brain's development makes it susceptible to impulsive decisions and addiction, influenced by dopamine and the reward system.
🚫 The Washington County Youth Coalition educates about the consequences of substance use, particularly marijuana, which is often viewed as harmless by youth.
🌿 Vaping is prevalent among youth, with flavored nicotine products being particularly attractive and harmful.
🏫 Probation officers observe that vaping is an everyday occurrence in schools, with students easily sharing devices.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Parents need to be involved in addressing substance abuse, setting clear rules against drinking and educating children about the dangers.
🔐 Safety tips include keeping medicine cabinets locked and educating children about the risks of substance abuse at a young age.
🏥 Health officials are working to educate communities and collect pills to prevent misuse, with significant amounts collected in short periods.
🗣️ Personal stories and experiences shared by youth are crucial for counselors and community members to understand the reality and scale of the substance abuse issue.

Q & A

What is the leading cause of death among Utah kids aged 10 to 17?
-Suicide is the leading cause of death among Utah kids aged 10 to 17.
How does the rate of suicide among Utah kids compare to the national rate?
-The rate of suicide among Utah kids is consistently higher than the national rate.
What is the Hope Squad and what do they discuss with teachers, counselors, and community members?
-The Hope Squad is an organization that opens up discussions to teachers, counselors, and other community members about stories that have affected them personally, particularly regarding substance use and mental health among youth.
Why are teens and adolescents particularly susceptible to addiction?
-Teens and adolescents are susceptible to addiction because their brains are still developing, which makes them more prone to making impulsive decisions and seeking the sensational high from substances.
What role does dopamine play in the teenage brain's susceptibility to addiction?
-Dopamine is a major issue in the teenage brain due to its involvement in the reward system, which can make teens more likely to engage in addictive behaviors.
What is the most common substance being used among youth according to the Washington County Youth Coalition?
-The most common substance being used among youth, as noted by the Washington County Youth Coalition, is marijuana.
Why do many kids have a relaxed attitude towards marijuana use?
-Many kids have a relaxed attitude towards marijuana use because they do not view it as having many negative consequences, or if there are consequences, they believe they can handle them later.
What is the significance of vaping among youth and why is it concerning?
-Vaping is significant among youth because it is an everyday action, even in schools, and is highly attractive due to flavors. It is concerning because many who vape are not aware of the underlying harmful effects of flavored liquid nicotine products.
What is the role of probation officers in addressing youth substance use?
-Probation officers are learning from youth about their substance use habits, particularly vaping, and are involved in educating and referring them to tobacco cessation classes.
How are the Hope Squad and community members trying to raise awareness about the epidemic of substance use among youth?
-The Hope Squad and community members are sharing personal experiences and statistics to raise awareness about the epidemic of substance use among youth, emphasizing the need for involvement from teachers, counselors, and parents.
What practical steps are suggested to prevent youth from accessing harmful substances?
-Practical steps suggested include setting clear no alcohol rules, keeping medicine cabinets locked, and educating children at a young age about the dangers of substance use.

Outlines

00:00

🚨 Youth Substance Abuse and Suicide in Utah

The paragraph discusses the alarming rates of suicide among Utah's youth, particularly those aged 10 to 17, which are higher than the national average. It highlights the Hope Squad's efforts to engage with teachers, counselors, and community members to address the issue. The tragic story of Jacob, who died from an overdose at 22, is shared to emphasize the impact of addiction. The script points out how the developing teenage brain makes impulsive decisions and the role of dopamine in addiction. It also addresses the prevalence of marijuana use among youth and the misconceptions about its harmlessness. The Washington County Youth Coalition is mentioned for their work in educating about substance abuse, and the paragraph concludes with the importance of involving parents and the community in tackling this epidemic.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡suicide

Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. In the context of the video, it is identified as the leading cause of death among Utah kids aged 10 to 17, highlighting a significant public health concern. The script emphasizes the importance of addressing this issue by involving community members, educators, and parents to provide support and resources to at-risk youth.

💡Hope Squad

The Hope Squad is a community initiative mentioned in the script that aims to open up conversations about mental health and suicide prevention. It involves teachers, counselors, and other community members sharing personal stories to raise awareness and provide support to those affected by mental health issues, including substance abuse and addiction.

💡addiction

Addiction refers to a compulsive engagement in rewarding stimuli, despite adverse consequences. The script discusses how teenagers are particularly vulnerable to addiction due to the developing nature of their brains, which can lead to impulsive decisions and a heightened response to the rewarding effects of substances like drugs, alcohol, or nicotine.

💡dopamine

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter associated with the brain's reward system. The script explains that dopamine plays a significant role in addiction, as it is released when individuals engage in activities that feel pleasurable, such as using drugs. This release reinforces the behavior, making it more likely to be repeated, which is a key factor in the development of addiction.

💡substance use

Substance use refers to the consumption of drugs, alcohol, or other substances that can have psychoactive effects. The video script discusses the consequences of substance use among youth, emphasizing the need for education and awareness about the risks associated with it, such as addiction and health problems.

💡vaping

Vaping refers to the act of inhaling and exhaling the aerosol produced by an e-cigarette or similar device. The script highlights the prevalence of vaping among youth and the misconception that it is a harmless activity. It also points out the attractiveness of flavored nicotine products to younger users and the potential health risks associated with vaping.

💡tobacco cessation

Tobacco cessation is the process of quitting the use of tobacco products. The script mentions that youth who are referred to tobacco cessation classes are often unaware of the harmful effects of smoking and vaping. This indicates a need for more education and support systems to help young people quit these habits.

💡flavored nicotine products

Flavored nicotine products are tobacco or vaping products that contain added flavors, which are often marketed to appeal to younger users. The script warns about the dangers of these products, noting that they can be highly attractive to youth due to their flavors and can lead to nicotine addiction.

💡epidemic

An epidemic is the widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time. In the context of the script, the term is used metaphorically to describe the high prevalence of substance use and addiction among youth, indicating a serious and urgent public health issue.

💡probation officers

Probation officers are law enforcement officials who supervise individuals who have been placed on probation instead of serving time in prison. The script mentions that probation officers are learning from youth about the everyday occurrence of vaping in schools, highlighting the role of law enforcement in understanding and addressing substance use among young people.

💡education

Education, in the context of the script, refers to the process of imparting knowledge and awareness about the dangers of substance use and addiction. It emphasizes the need for community-wide efforts to educate not only students but also parents and other community members to recognize the signs of addiction and to provide support.

Highlights

Suicide is the leading cause of death among Utah kids ages 10 to 17, with rates consistently higher than the national average.

The Hope Squad engages teachers, counselors, and community members to share personal stories that have affected them.

A family shares the tragic story of losing their son, Jacob, to an overdose at the age of 22.

Teens and adolescents are unaware of the ease of addiction due to their developing brains and impulsive decision-making.

Dopamine and the reward system play a significant role in teenage substance abuse.

The Washington County Youth Coalition educates about the consequences of substance use, particularly marijuana.

Youth often have a relaxed attitude towards substance use, not recognizing its negative consequences.

Vaping is prevalent among youth, with flavored liquid nicotine products being particularly attractive.

Probation officers observe that vaping is an everyday occurrence in schools, with students offering it to peers.

Flavored nicotine products are highly attractive to younger users, and their use is widespread in school settings.

Personal experiences shared by youth highlight the reality and scale of the substance abuse epidemic.

Tobacco cessation classes are one method used to address youth substance abuse.

Educating parents and involving them in prevention efforts is deemed necessary to combat youth substance use.

The importance of setting clear rules against alcohol and drug use in the home is emphasized.

Safety tips for parents include keeping medicine cabinets locked and educating children about substance abuse.

500 pounds of pills were collected in a 10-month period, indicating the scale of the issue.

Community education is crucial to raising awareness and helping those around us understand the signs of substance abuse.