Youth Substance Use Issues and Resources Dominique StHilaire

Youth Substance Use: Issues and Resources Dominique St-Hilaire and Kate Evans Addictions Foundation of Manitoba (AFM) Youth Services

Terminology and Definitions q Youth: Ages 10 -24 (transitional age youth 18 -25) q Substance Use, Misuse, and Abuse q q q Drug: Any substance, other than food, that when taken into the body changes the way the body or mind functions. Gambling: The risking of money or valuables on a game, contest or event involving chance. Note: Both substance use and gambling can lead to “altered states”.

Withdrawal symptoms are the opposite effects of the drug’s sought-after sensations. A period of disequilibrium experienced by a person whose body has begun to adapt to the presence of a given substance in their body when they stop taking that substance. This can be very uncomfortable and in some situations life threatening.

Harm reduction Harm Reduction involves a range of non-judgmental approaches and strategies aimed at providing and/or enhancing the knowledge, skills, resources and supports for people, their families and communities to live safer, healthier lives.

“Addiction” AFM definition An unhealthy relationship between a person and a mood or mind-altering substance, experience, event or activity, which contributes to life problems and their recurrence. *All drugs have the potential to be harmful to youth.

Exploring Values, Attitudes and Beliefs…

Agree, Disagree or Unsure? As a society we should be teaching all youth to use mood altering substances or to gamble responsibly!?

Agree, Disagree or Unsure? The best way to motivate a young parent is to teach them the effects of using substances on the child?

Agree, Disagree or Unsure? If a youth is convinced that there is nothing wrong or inappropriate about their behaviour or decisions, there is nothing we can do to help them.

Agree, Disagree or Unsure? If a young client asks about your history of substance use, its best to share.

Agree, Disagree or Unsure? Young people with substance abuse or gambling problems are best helped by ex-problem-users!?

Top 3 substances used by teens in Canada? ALCOHOL Source: CCSA & CAMH CANNABIS TOBACCO

Which drug is responsible for the most deaths, injuries, and accidents amongst youth?

Classifications of Drugs • Stimulants • Depressants • Hallucinogens • Cannabinoids

The mother project • • • • • Making it okay for clients to disclose drug or alcohol use – explain ahead of time. • Access to safer drug use supplies • 16 step groups • Facilitate substance use treatment • Pregnancy outreach services • Nutrition • Advocacy with other service providers • Reducing amount of substance used • Changing route of use • Healthy baby benefit • Building relationships • Support in accessing housing • Support in accessing financial assistance • Discussions around birth control and family planning – be clear that it is about choosing when to have children.

2014 -2015 AFM Youth Client Primary Drug of Choice: p p p Cannabis 73% Alcohol 18. 9% Cocaine 2. 0% Amphetamines. 7% Ecstasy 1. 6% Other club drugs. 1% Hallucinogens. 5% Pain relievers. 1% Oxycodone 1. 4% Other opioid products. 3% Sedatives. 3% Other drugs 1% Source: Annual Statistical Review, April 2014 -March 2015. AFM Youth Community-based Services for all of Manitoba.

Which gambling activity is responsible for the most problems? q q q Slots and VLTs Of the 1 -2 % Adult Problem Gamblers, 85 -90% play Slot /VLTs Pull tabs and scratch tickets can also cause considerable problems

Adolescent Development

Tasks of Adolescence q q q q To achieve physical maturity To explore his or her sexuality To establish intimate relationships To reach social maturity To reach intellectual maturity To achieve independence from family of origin To achieve economic independence To establish a set of values

RISKY BUSINESS Higher Risk Preference Lower Risk Preference 10 -11 12 -13 14 -15 16 -17 Age 18 -21 22 -25 26 -30 Graphic Source: National Geographic Magazine,

When is it a problem? What can we do?

The problem is not the person, the substance, or the behavior. The problem is the relationship between the person and the substance or behavior. © Addictions Foundation of Manitoba

Five Basic Needs William Glasser BELONGING POWER Survival FUN FREEDOM

What Needs are being Met? “I love smoking weed. I can’t imagine my life without it. ” “I’ve made a name for myself in the online poker world. People respect me, and I feel powerful. Something I’ve never felt most of my life” “I discovered the longer I can stay high, the less time I gotta spend in my head. It keeps me sane!” “When I turned 18 and started going to the casino, I felt like I had arrived!” “Getting drunk and doing ‘E’ with friends makes me happy and feels good. What’s wrong with that? ” © Addictions Foundation of Manitoba

LEVELS OF INVOLVEMENT Non. Involved Irregular Regular Harmful Dependent

Notes on Risk Factors p There is no definitive cause of substance abuse or dependence p Risk factors can come from many life areas p Risk factors build on each other p The risk factors for use are not necessarily the same as the risk factors for abuse or dependence p Most of these statements apply to protective factors as well Source: Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse - Youth in Focus CAMH: Youth, Drugs, and Mental Health

Protective Factors o o o o Delay age of first use (early onset) Emphasize healthy attitudes & beliefs Intervene early (with other areas of concern) Supportive families or others who care Recognize when youth are affected by someone else Educate about the risks Use true facts about use Create opportunities for youth to relate to information

Protective Factors (cont’d). . . o o o Support youth to access/explore recreation and leisure Work towards policies to reduce access Be conscious of media consumption/representation Encourage healthy self esteem and resiliency Community mobilization o Any others?

Community School Ca rin g Family Participation Ex H pe igh ct at ion s Resilient Child Viewing the Fabric of Resiliency Source: Western Regional Center for Drug Free Schools & Communities

Risk Factors Protective Factors The goal of prevention is to decrease risk factors and increase protective factors (at both micro and macro levels)

Guidelines for youth prevention education • Tailor to the group you want to affect • Use evidence-based approaches • Avoid scare tactics and absolute statements • Objective information is seen as the most credible • Emphasize safety and harm reduction • Acknowledge that complex factors contribute to experimenting • Experiential learning, peer-to-peer discussions, and small groups allow youth to integrate what they are learning with their own beliefs and experiences Sources: CAMH, CCSA, AFM, SAMHSA

Guidelines for responding to a youth who may be at-risk for substance abuse ØBe aware of your own values and attitudes (re: substance use). ØAvoid judging, labelling, and blaming. ØFocus on rapport building, your greatest asset in building trust. ØProvide information and raise awarenessØ Emphasize safety and harm reduction. ØExpress concern in a non-confrontational manner.

Responding to a youth who may be at-risk for substance abuse (cont. ) ØBe informed, but don’t feel you need to be a drug expert. ØUse teachable moments; “What did you learn? ” ØFocus on strengths, resiliency, good choices ØNever confront when the person is under the influence. Ensure safety for youth and staff. ØRefer to community or school resources, i. e. AFM worker, public health nurse, guidance counsellor.

AFM YOUTH SERVICES o Assessments & counselling for youth ages 12 -18 for alcohol, drugs, or gambling, and for youth impacted by a significant other’s abuse of alcohol, drugs, or gambling. o Community Based and School Based Services. o Youth residential treatment program (Compass). o Programs and support for parents. o Family counselling. o Prevention & Education Services. o Call 204 -944 -6235 in Winnipeg. www. afm. mb. ca

Comments or Questions? Thank You Take Care Dominique & Kate AFM Youth Services