TEACHING THE FACTS OF DRUGS AND BOOZE

There has been a steady increase in drug and alcohol use among our young
people nationwide. Fatalities arise from binge drinking followed by
alcoholic coma and respiratory failure not to mention motor vehicle
accidents because of driving while impaired. Drug use, including oxycontin
and snorted heroin, is also up.

There is a desperate need for society to focus on rational preventive
measures that can reduce these morbid consequences. The most powerful
antidote to using such chemicals is knowing what their risks are.

The deaths of novice binge drinkers can be reduced if those individuals
know that consumption of alcohol by someone, without tolerance to it, will
produce nausea and vomiting, alcoholic coma, shallow respiration, lack of
oxygen to the brain, the heart and, finally, death. Fatal alcoholic coma
can be misinterpreted simply as deep sleep by companions, thus delaying
emergency treatment.

For those frequently consuming alcohol or drugs, such as Seconal,
Phenobarbital, Zanax, Valium, or Ativan, the major risk is dependence that
can occur as quickly as thirty to ninety days. Using these chemicals may
result in impaired motor ability which cause accidents while driving. But
stopping their use may result in withdrawal. For those habitually using
alcohol, the symptoms may include anxiety, tremor, sweating, nausea and
vomiting, seizures and craving. Seizures can occur in those withdrawing
from some drugs as long as four to six weeks after stopping them.

Stimulant drugs include nicotine, cocaine and amphetamines. Ecstasy is
currently the most popular "Rave" drug of the amphetamine class. Deaths
occur due to an increase in body temperature, hypertension and swelling of
the brain. Long term effects include depression, memory loss, anxiety and
inability to concentrate. Deaths from cocaine use are usually secondary to
heart attacks or strokes. Mental illness in the form of feelings of
suspicion and hostility towards others, mental depression and persistent
drug craving are not uncommon. Nicotine and tobacco tar absorbed by the
lungs from tobacco smoking are responsible for over 400,000 deaths a year.
The common causes of early mortality stem from heart disease plus oral,
throat and lung cancer.

Opioid drugs include illicit heroin, and commonly prescribed pain-killers
like Percocet, Percodan, Vicodin and Oxy-Contin. Oxy-Contin has recently
been noted for its illegal use, theft from pharmacies, unwarranted
prescription and adulteration enabling it to be injected. Continued
enjoyment requires increasing dose amounts to obtain the same effect.
Withdrawal can be a devastating experience. Relapse following abstinence
treatment for heroin use is 85 to 90 percent due to persistent craving.
Methadone or Suboxone are effective in normalizing the lives of reforming
addicts. Methadone is dispensed in licensed clinics. Suboxone is available
in certified doctors' offices.

Clearly our young people must be provided with a pragmatic, structured,
realistic, nonjudgmental educational approach to these issues. This should
be a regular and mandatory component of the science curriculum in grades 6
through 12. Passing examinations should be required. In this way, our young
people would have to make an informed decision -- well aware of potential
adverse consequences -- whether or not to use drugs/alcohol/tobacco when
the opportunity arises. This part of the science curriculum can be
standardized and those teaching it prepared by using instructional modules
made available on the Internet by Duke University and the Drug Policy
Alliance at safety1st.org. The Boards of Education in our school systems
are urged to consider this approach.

In short, it is better to "KNOW" than to "JUST SAY NO!"