DRUG USE HIJACKS YOUR KIDS' BRAINS

There is terrorist activity going on in Nashua, and it's aimed at our
teens.

Hijackings are occurring every day. These activities are happening in
the brains of our teens. Our teens are having their neuroreceptor
sites hijacked by psychoactive substances.

This may sound like an updated version of the infamous H.G. Wells
broadcast of "The War of the Worlds," but rest assured, what I'm
describing is for real.

Teens are much more vulnerable to the effects of alcohol and other
drugs. Their brains and other anatomical systems are still in the
process of development. Their sensitivity to alcohol and other drugs
is more acute as a result. This means the addictive process happens
faster and with less frequency of use and quantity of use than in
adults.

Let's look at brain function to understand more clearly what goes on
and why addiction is called a disease of the brain.

There is an area of our brains called the cerebral cortex. This is
where we make decisions. This part of the brain is in the frontal
lobe.

Closer to the top of the spinal chord lies the part of the brain that
contains our survival mechanisms. This is our primitive brain. This
is also our reward system.

Much of our survival depends on this part of the brain. When we feel
hungry, this part of the brain activates drives that compel us to
feed. When we're threatened, drives are activated to defend us,
either by fighting or fleeing.

Our sex drive is here, as well, ensuring procreation of our
race.

Our "thinking" brain works in conjunction with our "primitive" brain
to balance things out. Not all perceived threats require fighting or
running away.

When we're hungry, we decide when, what and how much we eat. We
control our impulses through reasoning and decision-making.

Because teen brains are still developing, this "balance" is still
being worked out. This is the reason why we send kids to school,
teach them at home and in the community, in many ways and in many
arenas. Until they've internalized the ability to self-regulate,
external cues are in place to co-facilitate the process of maturity.

Add drugs, and all bets are off. Drugs alter the function of the
brain chemically, putting the primitive brain in charge. The reward
system becomes totally tuned to satisfy cravings. These cravings are
triggered by sensory cues in the environment. This is known as
euphoric recall.

The reasoning part of the brain may think, "I shouldn't be doing
this," but the altered reward system trumps the thought and intention
with a more powerful drive to satisfy the craving that has been triggered.

How many times have I heard a teen with substance-abuse problems say,
"I'm in control, I can stop anytime I want." The sad fact is, by the
time someone's brain has been altered, he or she is anything but in
control. Awareness of this loss of control is minimal. It's like
trying to see something in the middle of your back without a mirror.

The good news is the alteration is usually temporary. The brain
heals, and with time, regains the balance between the two systems.

Prevention programs and treatment programs are needed to teach this
information about the brain. Prevention education should begin early.
How early, you ask? In pregnancy, is my answer.

Lamaze classes should provide education about substance-abuse
prevention, not only in terms of how drinking and drugging can harm
the fetus, but also begin to teach parents-to-be the importance of
educating their kids.

Schools need to begin developmentally appropriate substance-abuse
prevention programming from kindergarten on. Middle schools and high
schools need to continue the process in every grade, not stop health
class in the 10th or 11th grade.

Look at the youth risk behavior survey rates of 12th-graders who are
reporting the use of alcohol, marijuana or Ecstasy on a monthly and
weekly basis. Yet most schools no longer require substance-abuse
prevention or health class for seniors.

The process should continue in college. Think about it. All those
kids away from home are now expected to self-regulate their behavior.

There also needs to be adequate student assistance program counselors
and adequate treatment programs to which those in need can be referred.

To borrow from an old saying, "A mind is a terrible thing to waste."
This takes on new meaning in light of the "let's get wasted"
mentality that's prevalent in teen culture. We need to do a better
job of teaching our kids how to keep their brains healthy.

September is National Recovery Month. Throughout the state, there
will be activities that bring focus to treatment programs that help
people recover from addiction. Let's celebrate the success of those
who have gotten their lives back and continue to advocate for
adequate prevention and treatment resources.

Until next time, stay safe out there.