compilation of 2007–08 student editions heads up ...brought to you by scholastic and the...

Heads Up: Real NewsAbout Drugs and Your BodyWelcome to Heads UpBrought to you by Scholastic and the scientists at the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Heads Up gives you thefacts about the real effects of drugs on the teen brain and body.

Check out the articles and features inside to get the latest news so you can make informed choices about yourhealth and your future.

Inside This Compilation:

FROM SCHOLASTIC AND THE SCIENTISTS OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE, NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

For more real news about drugs and your body, visitwww.scholastic.com/headsup andhttp://teens.drugabuse.gov

To order additional copies of this Heads Up StudentEdition at no charge, call 870-729-6686 and refer toNCADI XXXXXX-XXXX

COMPILATION OF 2007–08 STUDENT EDITIONSPh

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Page 2: Out of It: Consequencesof Impairment

1: Talking With Your Doctor

Page 6: The Lowdown on Hydrocodone

Page 15: Teens and Decision Making:What Brain Science Reveals

• Plus additional supplements to each article(Answers to quiz questions found in Teacher Editions)

sk someone to name the harmfulhealth effects of drug abuse andaddiction, and you might get thefollowing very scary list:overdose; cancer; heart disease;lung disease; liver dysfunction;

mental disorders; infectious diseases such asHIV/AIDS, hepatitis, and tuberculosis.

All of these are correct. Research shows thatdrug abuse and addiction can cause or worsen awhole array of health problems. Some can occurwhen drugs are used in high doses or afterprolonged use, and some after just one use.

But you’re likely to be more aware of othereffects, which may not seem as scary. Or are they?You probably know that drugs affect feelings,

moods, judgment, learning, memory, andmovement. What’s harmful about these effects?

As it turns out, impairment from drug abuse can cause a lot of serious consequences.Impairment refers to diminished ability, such aswhen drug abuse interferes with thinking ormuscle movements. When a person is impairedfrom drugs, he or she is open to a wide range oferrors in judgment and perception, which can leadto making bad choices. Physical abilities also canbe affected, so a person might not react as he orshe normally would.

The consequences of impairment can be bothshort-term and long-term, and can impact the mostimportant things to a person: family, friends,school, possessions, dreams, goals, even life itself.

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AND YOUR BODY

REAL NEWSHEADS UPHEADS UPABOUT DRUGS

FACTS FOR THOUGHT

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Out of It

FROM SCHOLASTIC AND THE SCIENTISTS OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE, NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES2

THE DANGERS OFDRUGGED DRIVINGBelieve it or not, “onedrink for the road” wasonce a common phrasein American culture. Butdue to the efforts ofmany, includingStudents AgainstDestructive Decisions(SADD), the number ofpeople killed or injured inalcohol-related driving accidents has steadilydeclined. Now a similar problem, “druggeddriving,” is getting increased attention.

Evidence shows drugs, often incombination with alcohol, are involved in many automobile accidents. Driving under theinfluence of a drug can impair one’s perception,motor skills, reaction time (the time it takes torespond to any stimulus), and judgment.Research shows marijuana to be the mostcommon illegal drug found in both impaireddrivers and crash victims. Other drugs, such as prescription drugs, cocaine, opiates, andinhalants, have also been reported.

Drugged driving not only puts drivers andpassengers at great risk for injury and death,but also others on the road. Statistics presenta very serious teen issue. Motor-vehicleaccidents are the number-one cause of deathamong people ages 15–20. Furthermore,NIDA’s 2006 Monitoring the Future surveyindicates that 10.6 percent of high-schoolseniors reported driving under the influence of marijuana and 12.4 percent reported drivingunder the influence of alcohol in the twoweeks prior to completing the survey.

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Drugs of abuse, such as marijuana, heroin,cocaine, inhalants, nicotine, and alcohol—evensome medications when they are not takenaccording to dosage and directions—can changethe way a person’s brain functions. This isimportant for teens to know because the teenbrain’s frontal cortical regions, which integrate all the various pieces of information that go intomaking good decisions, will still be developinguntil around age 25.

Since drugs act on the brain, they canaffect a wide range ofabilities. These include:perception (whatsomeone understands or observes), cognition(knowledge gained, as through perception), judgment (the ability to make a decision), attention, balance, andcoordination.

The consequences of impairment are almost infinite when you think about them. For example, after using drugs, someone mightnot score well on a test, thus affecting grades,college placement, or obtaining a particular job. Someone might misperceive a situation,respond inappropriately, and cause a regretableargument. Someone could recklessly createserious physical risk by getting behind the wheelof a car. (See the sidebar on “drugged driving.”)Or someone might become involved in adangerous social situation that could lead to a sexually transmitted disease or an unwantedpregnancy.

As Nora D. Volkow, M.D., Director of NIDA,says: “The choices teens make can have profoundeffects, both immediate and long-term. It isimportant that teens understand the consequencesassociated with their decisions—particularlydecisions that affect the brain and behavior.”

DIMINISHING RETURNS

For more about drugged driving, visitwww.drugabuse.gov/Infofacts/driving.html.

For more about the effects of marijuana and other drugs on the brain, visit www.scholastic.com/headsup.

FROM SCHOLASTIC AND THE SCIENTISTS OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE, NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 3

VOCABULARYMatch the words in Column A to theirmeanings in Column B.

Column A

1. impairment

2. perception

3. cognition

4. judgment

5. reaction time

Column B

A. the time it takes to respond to any stimulus

B. what someoneunderstands or observes

C. diminished ability

D. knowledgegained, as throughperception

E. the ability tomake a decision

READING COMPREHENSION: Multiple ChoiceFill in the circle next to the correct answer for the multiple-choice questions below.

Answer the questions below to test yourself on vocabulary and facts you learned in the article “Out of It.”

BONUS: Think It ThroughThe article “Out of It” discusses serious short-term and long-term consequences of drug abuse. When you’re faced with a situation that requires you to respond, it’s important to make smart choices. Here are some tips:

• When you’re faced with a decision, remember two simple words: STOP and THINK.• Give yourself time to weigh options. A rule of thumb is to wait at least

20 minutes before making any decision. Take more time if needed.• Identify possible actions and consequences (e.g., “If I do this, this

could happen…”).• Identify pros and cons of the situation.• Consider what other factors could be influencing the decision

(e.g., sleep deprivation, health, alcohol, drugs, others’ opinions).• Talk to a trusted friend or an adult for advice.• Remove yourself as soon as possible from any dangerous situation.

Considering these tips, as well as facts from the article “Out of It,” how might you respond to the following situations?

1. A driver who has taken a drug prescribed for someone else offers you a ride home.2. You’re invited to a party where you’ve heard people will be taking drugs.3. You’re in a car when someone asks if anyone wants to smoke marijuana.

1. The brain’s frontalcortical regions, which areaffected by drug abuse,are responsible for what?A movementB decision makingC reaction timeD sightE hearing

2. Which of the followingcannot be listed as apossible effect of drugabuse and addiction?A impairmentB HIV/AIDSC cancerD heart diseaseE none of the above

3. Among people ages 15–20,what is the number-onecause of death?A drug overdoseB cancerC motor-vehicle accidentsD impairmentE plane crashes

4. What is the most common illegal drugfound in impaireddrivers?A marijuanaB prescription drugsC inhalantsD cocaineE opiates

HEADS UP: WHAT DO YOU KNOW?

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4 FROM SCHOLASTIC AND THE SCIENTISTS OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE, NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

5FROM SCHOLASTIC AND THE SCIENTISTS OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE, NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

situations where he or she might be at risk—orwhere he or she might put others at risk.

THC also interferes with the normalfunctioning of the cerebellum, which gives aperson balance and coordination, and the basalganglia, which controls movement. Sincemarijuana can affect coordination and theperception of time and speed, a person’sperformance in everything from playing sportsto driving may suffer. In fact, marijuana is themost prevalent illegal drug found in impaireddrivers and crash victims involved in "druggeddriving" accidents.

The Effects of Marijuanaon the BrainMarijuana is the most commonly abused

illegal drug in the United States. It affectsmemory, judgment, and perception. A dry,shredded green/brown mix of flowers, stems,seeds, and leaves from the hemp plant(Cannabis sativa), marijuana is usually smoked.The main psychoactive (affecting the mind andbehavior) chemical in marijuana is THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol). The membranes ofcertain nerve cells contain protein receptorsthat bind to THC. When THC binds to thesereceptors in the brain, a series of cellularreactions ultimately lead to the high that usersexperience.

Since marijuana can affect judgment, its usecan lead to risky behaviors, resulting inexposure to sexually transmitted diseases likeHIV, the virus that causes AIDS. THC also caninterfere with the normal functioning of thehippocampus—the part of the brain thatcontrols learning and memory. It can causedifficulties in processing information and maymake it hard to remember things that happenedrecently. Grades can suffer. Judgment anddecision making also can be affected,increasing a person’s chances of getting into

Supplement to “Out of It”

For more information check out:• “Marijuana: Facts for Teens”

www.nida.nih.gov/MarijBroch/Marijteenstxt.html.

• “NIDA InfoFacts”www.drugabuse.gov/Infofacts/marijuana.html.

• “NIDA Research Report Series”www.drugabuse.gov/ResearchReports/marijuana.

• “NIDA for Teens”www.teens.drugabuse.gov/facts/facts_mj1.asp.

• “NIDA InfoFacts: Drugged Driving”www.drugabuse.gov/infofacts/driving.html.

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serious health consequences, even death, especiallywhen combined with alcohol or other drugs.”

SO, WHAT IS HYDROCODONE?Hydrocodone is a powerful opioid (a pain

reliever acting on the central nervous system) forthe relief of moderate to severe pain. Hydrocodoneis formulated under a number of different brandnames, such as Vicodin®, Anexsia®, Lorcet®, andNorco®. Another well-known opioid isoxycodone, the generic name for the drugsOxycontin®, Percodan®, and Percocet®. Availableby prescription only, hydrocodone is similar inpotency to oral morphine (an analgesic derivedfrom poppies) and is in the same opioid drugclass as heroin. Opioids act by attaching tospecific proteins called opioid receptors foundin the brain, spinal cord, and gastrointestinal tract,and can effectively change the way a person P

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AND YOUR BODY


There is great news from the latestMonitoring the Future (MTF) Study, asurvey that tracks teen drug use from yearto year: Overall drug abuse is down

among teens. Unfortunately, there’s some bad newstoo: Abuse of prescription drugs remains at highlevels. Of particular concern is the continued abuseof Vicodin®, whose principal ingredient ishydrocodone, with nearly one in ten high schoolseniors abusing Vicodin® in 2006.

Taken under the supervision of a doctor,hydrocodone can be helpful in relieving acute andchronic pain. Yet the risks of abuse and addictioncan be very real. As Nora D. Volkow, M.D.,Director of NIDA, points out: “Hydrocodone is apowerful pain medication, but when abused—usedwithout a prescription, from someone else’sprescription, or in a different form or dosage thanwhat a doctor would prescribe—it can lead to

The Lowdown on

HydrocodoneThe active ingredient in many prescription pain relievers such as Vicodin®

is a powerful drug—and dangerous when not used as prescribed.


PRESCRIPTION FOR DISASTERA prescription is a doctor’s instructions to aparticular patient: Only this person can take thismedication, in this amount, for this length of time.When the medication is taken on purpose for anyother reason, by any other person, including thepatient, that is called abuse.

The followingcategories define anddescribe the kinds ofprescription drugsmost abused by teens.

Opioids, like Vicodin®

and OxyContin®, areprescribed to treat severe pain. Dangers when abused:

• Extremely addictive

• Can slow one’s breathing

• Particularly dangerous with alcohol

Benzodiazepines, like Xanax®, Valium®, andLibrium®, are central-nervous-system depressantsprescribed to treat anxiety, acute stress reactions,and panic attacks. Dangers when abused:

• Addictive

• Can slow breathing and heartbeat, especially if combined with prescription pain medicines,certain over-the-counter cold and allergymedications, or alcohol

• Can lead to withdrawal and possible seizureswhen discontinued after prolonged use or high doses

Stimulants, like Ritalin® and Adderall®, areprescribed mainly for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Dangers when abused:

• Addictive

• Can create extremely high body temperature

• Can cause seizures/irregular heartbeat

experiences pain. Additionally, opioids affectregions of the brain, including the nucleusaccumbens (a key structure in reward, motivation,and addiction), resulting in initial euphoria.

The high levels of Vicodin® abuse may belinked to its widespread availability—a fact thatbecomes even more troubling when considering thehealth risks of abusing hydrocodone and otherprescription drugs. (See the sidebar “Prescriptionfor Disaster.”) According to NIDA researcher SeanMcCabe and others, some of the leading sources forteens obtaining prescription opioids are familymembers and friends. Many people assume that if adrug is “legal” and prescribed by a doctor, it’s okayto use. But hydrocodone and other prescriptionmedicines can be as harmful as illicit street drugswhen abused or combined with alcohol or other

medications. (Visit www.scholastic.com/headsupfor information about the dangers of mixinghydrocodone with alcohol and other drugs.)

The steady decline in drug use noted in theMTF Study is encouraging. Teens are getting themessage about the dangers and seriousconsequences of drug abuse. But, unfortunately,the message may not be getting through as clearlywhen it comes to the abuse of hydrocodone andother prescription medications.

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Bad News

Good News/Bad NewsAbout Teen Drug Abuse

Good News

For additional information on prescription drug abuse and addiction, see:

www.drugabuse.gov/researchreports/prescription/prescription.html

www.scholastic.com/headsup

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From Monitoring the Future Study 2006


Answer the questions below to test yourself on vocabulary and facts you learned in the article “The Lowdownon Hydrocodone.”

BONUS: Making Smart ChoicesThe article “The Lowdown on Hydrocodone” discusses the dangers associated with the abuse ofhydrocodone and other prescription drugs. If you’re faced with a situation involving the abuse ofprescription drugs, it’s important to make smart choices. Here are some things to remember:

• If you have a physical or emotional problem that you needhelp with, talk to a doctor, nurse, or school counselor.

• A doctor knows important specifics about each patientand can monitor progress when drugs are prescribed.

• It is illegal to use or sell medications prescribed forsomeone else.

Considering these facts, as well as those in the article “The Lowdown on Hydrocodone,” how might you respond to the following scenarios?

1. Your back hurts a little and a friend offers you a pill shegot from her mother’s medicine cabinet. “It’s for pain,”she says. “My mom used it after her surgery.” Youwonder, “Should I take it?”

2. You’re at a party and somebody offers you a prescription medication, saying “Don’t worry, it’slegal. Look at all the celebrities who are doing it.”

3. You’ve been prescribed a pain reliever by a doctor. You think, “If one pill every four hours isgood, wouldn’t three pills every four hours speed up my recovery?”

HEADS UP: WHAT DO YOU KNOW?

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VOCABULARYMatch each word in Column A to itsmeaning in Column B.

Column A

1. opioid

2. morphine

3. opioidreceptors

4. nucleusaccumbens

Column B

A. analgesic derivedfrom poppies

B. proteins found in thebrain, spinal cord, andgastrointestinal tract

C. pain reliever acting onthe central nervoussystem

D. key structure of thebrain involved inreward, motivation,and addiction

READING COMPREHENSION: Multiple ChoiceFill in the circle next to the correct answer for the multiple-choicequestions below.

1. Overall drug use amongteens isA minimal.B going up.C going down.D the same.

2. What prescription drug isabused by one out of tenhigh school seniors?A Valium®

B Librium®

C Ritalin®

D Vicodin®

3. As an opioid, hydrocodoneis in the same drug class asA Tylenol®.B heroin.C alcohol.D antihistamines.

4. Both opioids andbenzodiazepines can slow aperson’s breathing.A trueB false

5. Stimulants can lower aperson’s body temperature.A trueB false



also depress the centralnervous system—suchas alcohol,antihistamines,barbiturates, orbenzodiazepines—could lead to life-threatening respiratoryproblems.

Hydrocodone maymake you drowsy, lessalert, or unable tofunction well physically,so it’s necessary toavoid using othermedicines that alsomake you sleepy (suchas cold medicines,other pain medications,muscle relaxants, andmedicines for seizures,depression, or anxiety).The interactionbetween twomedications could

result in extreme drowsiness or coma, making itparticularly dangerous to drive a car, operatemachinery, or perform other activities.

Mixing hydrocodone with alcohol is extremelydangerous and can cause impairment ofjudgment, thinking, and psychomotor skills.Death has been reported due to overdose.

Dangerous Liaisons:Mixing Hydrocodone withAlcohol and Other Drugs

Hydrocodone, the active ingredient in painrelievers such as Vicodin®, Anexsia®,

Lorcet®, and Norco®, is one of the mostcommonly abused prescription drugs amongteens and is especially dangerous when mixedwith other substances. Hydrocodone depressesthe central nervous system and slows breathing.Mixing hydrocodone with other substances that

Supplement to “The Lowdown on Hydrocodone”Ph

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What are the possible signs of trouble?

Get emergency medical help if you observeany of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives;difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips,tongue, or throat.

Call a doctor at once if you experience any ofthese other serious side effects:

• slow heartbeat;• seizures (convulsions);• cold, clammy skin;• confusion;• severe weakness or dizziness; or• feeling light-headed or faint.

Alcohol can be found in many over-the-countermedicines, such as cough syrup, so it isimportant to read all medicine labels to avoidthe risk of taking medications that containalcohol while using hydrocodone.

Hydrocodone is usually formulated withacetaminophen, a drug commonly found in over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol®.Acetaminophen can be toxic to the liver.Extended use of pain relievers such as Vicodin®,or mixing them with over-the-counter medicinesthat also contain acetaminophen, may lead to anupset stomach, internal bleeding and ulcers, andserious long-term damage.

When a doctor prescribes hydrocodone totreat a particular medical problem, he or sheknows important specifics about the patient,such as weight, current condition, medicalhistory, any particular allergies or sensitivities,and can prescribe the appropriate dose andform of the drug, warn of side effects, andmonitor progress. When a person useshydrocodone in a different form and dosagethan a doctor has prescribed (with or without aprescription) or mixes it with other substanceslike alcohol, serious problems can occur.

Supplement to “The Lowdown on Hydrocodone” (continued)

• For more information about hydrocodone and its effects, see MedlinePlus from the National Institutes of Health:www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a601006.html.

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AND YOUR BODY


Follow these tips to get the most from your doctor visit.

DoctorTalking

With Your

You might not realize it, but questions andissues you face as a teen are more related to yourhealth than you might think. How do you sort itout? One of the best ways is to talk to yourdoctor. Here’s a checklist to get the conversationstarted:

WRITE IT DOWN Keep a list of your questionsand concerns, and bring them to yourappointment. Consider keeping a health journalto record your daily moods and feelings. Themore information you provide to your doctor, the better he or she will be able to help you. And remember, when it comes to your health,there are no dumb questions. None.

If there’s one word that best sums up the teenyears, it’s “change.” Your body grows morebetween ages 13 and 19 than at any otherpoint in life besides infancy. Think about it.

While change can be exciting, it also brings arange of questions. You may be confused about ortroubled by acne, weight issues, or body changes.You may experience mood swings that can makeyou feel stressed, depressed, or like you’re ridingan emotional roller coaster. And you might facedecisions that involve the use of substances such asalcohol, tobacco, and other drugs or activities suchas sex, all of which can have serious consequences.


Listening to Teens: A Doctor’s Viewpoint

When a teen patient goes for a physicalwith Dr. Norman Wetterau, a family physicianand expert on substance abuse in upstate NewYork, Dr. Wetterau asks him or her to fill out aconfidential questionnaire. He uses this to getinsight into issues teensmay want to talk about.

“Teenagers are sort of forgotten,” says Dr. Wetterau. “Somedoctors feel like theyhave difficulty relating toteens. ‘What are we goingto say to them?’ somedoctors think. And I keepsaying, why don’t youlearn from them? Whydon’t you listen to them?”

Dr. Wetterau finds that many teens who useand abuse drugs are emotionally hurting.“They’re depressed, suicidal, maybe theirparents have alcohol and drug problems.Sometimes when I listen to their stories, I wantto weep. They should know that if they’regetting upset they can see the doctor—beforethey get sick, before something worse happens.”

Teen patients in Dr. Wetterau’s office cantalk to other health-care professionals besidesthe doctor if they’d like to. “I have a femalephysician’s assistant some of my femalepatients talk to about their sexual concerns.There are nurse practitioners, too,” says thedoctor. “But, the most important thing for teenpatients, I think, is to show them that you care.”

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When it comes to your health, talking to yourdoctor is a great way of getting theinformation you need to make smart choicesregarding drug abuse and other importanthealth issues. The more you know about yourbody, the more you can be in control of yourhealth—and your life.

GET THE FACTS Use your appointment as anopportunity to debunk myths and rumors aboutdrugs, alcohol, and health in general. Ask howsubstance abuse might affect your body. Let yourdoctor know if drug addiction or alcoholism runsin your family. Ask how drugs and alcohol canaffect medications prescribed for you or increaseyour chances of contracting certain diseases.Find out your personal risks. Want moreinformation on a health topic? Ask your doctorfor brochures, CDs, and other material that youcan take with you.

GET IT OUT Let’s face it. Talking about thingslike pimples, sexual development, or drug abuseisn’t exactly fun. It’s normal to be uncomfortable,but don’t let embarrassment keep you fromspeaking up. Your doctor can’t help you withoutknowing everything that’s going on, includingyour feelings. Teens might not realize thatnegative feelings, including depression, oftenoccur at the same time as alcohol and drug use.

Tip: A form from the American Medical Association can help teens compile personal facts about their health. To download this form, visit www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/1980.html. It’s a great idea to fill out thequestionnaire and bring it to your doctor visit.Most doctors give confidential time to teens andyou can share it at this time with your doctor.

FOLLOW UP If your doctor has prescribedmedications, be sure to ask questions about howto take your medicine properly. Make sure toschedule a follow-up appointment if necessary.

EMPOWER YOURSELF As a patient, you have aright to be an advocate for your health. Thisincludes finding the right doctor. If you don’tfeel comfortable talking with your doctor, askyour parents about finding another health-careprofessional to speak with. Remember that it’sOK to ask questions and expect answers, and it’salways OK to get a second opinion.


Talking With Your Doctor (continued)


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Getting Facts

Talking with your doctor is an important way to get information about drug abuse and health issues. A recent online event, Drug Facts Chat Day, sponsored by the

National Institute on Drug Abuse, provided teensacross the country with a chance to pose questions to the nation’s top scientific experts about drugs.

“Does drinking at ayoung age make you more likely to become an alcoholic?”

“Can smoking casuallystill have bad effects on your body?”

“If you do drugs everyday, when would youdie?”

These are only a few of the more than 36,000questions teens put to a team of NIDA experts onOctober 12, 2007. To read a transcript of questionsand answers from this event, visit:

www.drugabuse.gov/chat/2007

Test YourselfAfter reading the article “TalkingWith Your Doctor,” take thisquiz. Check True or False foreach statement. Answers are inthe teacher’s supplement.

1 Negative feelings, includingdepression, often occur atthe same time as alcohol anddrug use.

True False

2 When you talk to a doctor,it’s best not to ask too manyquestions, especially if theymay sound dumb.

True False

3 A doctor is the only personyou can talk to about yourhealth when you go for amedical appointment.

True False

4 By sharing information withyour doctor about drugs,alcohol, and health ingeneral, you may be able tofind out your personal risks.

True False

5 Your body grows morebetween the ages of 13 and19 than at any other pointbesides infancy.

True False

Getting Help for a Drug ProblemThe best way for someone to stop using drugs is to get treatment from a doctor or a therapist. Thesooner a person gets treatment, the better are hisor her chances for recovery.

If you are in crisis and need to speak with someone immediately, please call the NationalSuicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK—they don’t just talk about suicide, they cover a lot of issues and will help put you in touch withsomeone in your area.

For more help, or to locate treatment centers, go to www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov, or call the national hotline at 1-800-662-HELP.


Here’s a sample of what you’ll find:

Answering Teen QuestionsAbout Drugs“Drug Facts Chat Day” Provides a Forum for Teensto Ask the Experts Questions

• How many people a year die from drugs?• What drug is the most addictive?• Do drugs affect relationships?• Why don’t some users stop and try to seek

help?• Can drugs used once kill you?• Is it easier for a teenage kid to get addicted

than an adult?

These are all real questions about drug abusefrom teens. They are only a few of the over36,000 sent in to the medical doctors andscientists at the National Institute on Drug Abuseduring “Drug Facts Chat Day” on October 12,2007. This unique online event atwww.drugabuse.gov provided an opportunity forstudents and teachers in classrooms across theUnited States to ask questions of the nation’s topexperts in the field of drug abuse and addiction.

Questions like the ones above came fromstudents in over 200 schools across the UnitedStates, as well as from Puerto Rico, Guam, andthe Virgin Islands. To answer these questions,NIDA enlisted the services of over 30 scientists,doctors, and communications specialists.

To view a transcript of these questions andanswers, visit: www.drugabuse.gov/chat/2007.

Supplement to “Talking With Your Doctor”

Q: JEtgrl, Lower Merion: Could LSD killyou? Could Ecstasy kill you?

A: Nancy Pilotte—These are kind of scaryquestions, but I know the answers areimportant to you. LSD itself is not likely tokill you. However, it alters your perceptionsand your abilities to make good decisions, andwhen you are under its influence, you may dosomething that will lead to your own harm.Ecstasy, which ismethylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA),is another powerful chemical that affects yourbrain, and, like LSD, can affect your decision-making. In addition, MDMA can also lead tosevere dehydration because it has effects onthe part of your brain that regulatestemperature and you may not recognize thatyou need to keep yourself hydrated (drinkingwater). This can have serious consequences foryou. MDMA can also cause nausea, chills,sweating, involuntary teeth clenching, musclecramping, and blurred vision. MDMAoverdose can also occur—the symptoms caninclude high blood pressure, faintness, panicattacks, and in severe cases, a loss ofconsciousness and seizures. Here is a source offree information about the latest science-baseddrug abuse facts, publications, and teachingmaterials for parents, teachers, and students.http://www.backtoschool.drugabuse.gov/

Q: a, asd: Have most teens used marijuana intheir life?

A: Marsha Lopez—Although it may seemthat everyone is doing it, it is probably wayfewer than you guess. In a national schoolsurvey last year, about 15% of 8th graders,

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AND YOUR BODY


Do you ever act before thinking? Have you ever wondered why? Do you worry thismight create problems? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, read on.

First, a bit on how a brain makes decisions. Decisions don’t “just happen”automatically in your conscious mind. They stem from a series of events in the brain, which happen almost instantaneously. This involves a relay system in which differentstructures—made up of specialized cells called neurons—talk with each other by way of electrochemical impulses and chemical messengers, called neurotransmitters.Information flowing through this decision-making circuit is analyzed in the differentstructures. Then the network, as a whole,

Picture this: Your finger is poised on thesend button, your eyes scanning anangry e-mail you’ve dashed off to afriend who has upset you. Some thingsyou’ve written are a little harsh. In

your brain a little red light goes off, but, what theheck, you’re steamed and your friend deserves it.You push the button.

Whether you’re aware or not, rushed decisionslike this—acting before thinking it through—happen more often in teens than in adults. Recentdiscoveries in brain science may help explain whythis is so. P

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Teens and Decision Making: What Brain Science

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puts out a response. This output provides thebasis for our behaviors and actions.

While this process is basically the same forteens and adults, the devil is in the details. Sincethe brain is not fully developed until the early20s, the way in which a teen’s decision-makingcircuit integrates information may put him or herat a higher risk of making decisions the teencould later regret.

THE TEEN BRAIN: Under Construction

Not long ago, scientists thought the humanbrain was fully mature long before the teenyears. While research shows that one’s brainreaches its maximum size between ages 12 and14 (depending on whether you are a girl or aboy), it also shows that brain development is farfrom complete. Regions of the brain continue tomature all the way through a person’s early 20s.

A key brain region that matures late is the prefrontal cortex, located directly behindyour forehead. The prefrontal cortex is veryimportant as a control center for thinking aheadand sizing up risks and rewards. (This area is, in fact, the little red light that was trying to warn you about sending that e-mail.) Meanwhile,another part of the brain that matures earlier isthe limbic system, which plays a central role inemotional responses.

Since the limbic system matures earlier, it is more likely to gain an upper hand indecision making. This relationship between theemotional center (limbic system) and controlcenter (prefrontal cortex) helps to explain ateen’s inclination to rush decisions. In otherwords, when teens make choices in emotionallycharged situations, those choices are often moreweighted in feelings (the mature limbic system)over logic (the not-yet-mature prefrontal cortex).

This is also why teens are more likely to make“bad” choices, such as using drugs, alcohol, andtobacco—all of which pose a risk of serious

health consequences. “Most kids don’t really‘plan’ to use drugs,” says Professor LaurenceSteinberg of Temple University, “at least not thefirst time. They are more likely to experiment on the spur of the moment, particularly wheninfluenced by others [peer pressure].”

FINE-TUNING THE BRAINLike the

rest of thebody, thebrain needsto mature inorder toreach peakperformance.This processinvolves slowchanges—stronglyinfluenced bybrainactivity—thathave evolvedto fine tune(or optimize)how neural impulses flow throughout the brain,allowing it to process information faster andmore reliably.

Inside the brain, information travels through a network of neurons, which havethread-like fibers called axons and branch-likestructures called dendrites. Dendrites bringinformation into the neurons, while axons take it away and pass it along to the next neuron.Thus, neurons are assembled into circuits wherethe far end of an axon (its terminal) is positionedclose to a dendrite. The small space between thetwo is called a synapse—where information isexchanged.

Throughout childhood and adolescence, thebrain is busy fine-tuning itself through two keyprocesses: myelination and synaptic pruning.

Axon

Cell body

Cell body

Myelinsheath

Dendrites

Dendrites

Directionof impulse

Axonterminals

Synapse

A synapse is the small space where anaxon and dendrite exchange information.

Teens and Decision Making (continued)


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Vocabulary Match each word in Column A to its meaning in Column B.

Column A Column B

1. synapse

2. myelination

3. prefrontal cortex

4. limbic system

5. synaptic pruning

A. brain area important for thinking ahead and sizing up risk and reward

B. process in which axons become wrapped up in fatty myelin sheath

C. brain system that plays a central role in emotional responses

D. the small space between axons and dendrites where neuronsexchange information

E. cutting back the number of synapses

appropriate behaviors, they are helping to shapetheir brains—and their futures.

WAIT A MINUTE!Learning how your brain works can help

explain why sometimes you behave like you do.With this knowledge, you can be better equippedto make smart choices.

One tip to follow is to take a moment beforeacting. When making a decision, something assimple as stopping to think can mean thedifference between a positive and a negativeoutcome. By waiting a minute before acting, you allow yourself to:

• consider consequences;

• weigh harmful outcomes (e.g., harm toyourself or others) against short-term benefits(e.g., fitting in or feeling high);

• determine whether peer pressure is makingyou do something you’d otherwise not do;

• get information or advice, if you need it.

For more information about drugs and your

body, visit http://teens.drugabuse.gov and

www.scholastic.com/headsup.

To learn more about “pausing” to allow

yourself to make smart choices, check out

www.myspace.com/pause.

In myelination, axons wrap themselves in a fatty substance (myelin sheath), which works likethe insulating plastic that surrounds electricalwires. This boosts the brain’s efficiency byincreasing the speed with which a signal travelsdown the axon by up to 100 times. In synapticpruning, synapses not used very often areremoved, allowing the brain to redirect preciousresources toward more active synapses. Thisstrategic loss of weak synapses shapes the brainand makes it more efficient. This importantpruning process molds the brain in response to a person’s experiences and activities.

This meansthat teens have the potential,through theirchoices and thebehaviors theyengage in, toshape their own braindevelopment—strengthening some circuits and getting rid ofothers. This makes the type of activities teens areinvolved in especially important. Skill-buildingactivities, such as many physical, learning, andcreative endeavors, not only provide stimulatingchallenges, but can simultaneously build strongbrain pathways. When teens learn and repeat



What scientific research tells us aboutpeer influence

“There are two main features that seem todistinguish teenagers from adults in theirdecision making,” says Laurence Steinberg, aresearcher at Temple University in Philadelphia.“During early adolescence in particular,teenagers are drawn to the immediate rewardsof a potential choice and are less attentive tothe possible risks. Second, teenagers in generalare still learning to control their impulses, tothink ahead, and to resist pressure from others.”These skills develop gradually, as a teen’s abilityto control his or her behavior gets betterthroughout adolescence.

According to Dr. B. J. Casey from the WeillMedical College of Cornell University, teens arevery quick and accurate in making judgmentsand decisions on their own and in situationswhere they have time to think. However, whenthey have to make decisions in the heat of themoment or in social situations, their decisionsare often influenced by external factors likepeers. In a study funded by the National Instituteon Drug Abuse (NIDA), teen volunteers played avideo driving game, either alone or with friendswatching. What the researchers discovered wasthat the number of risks teens took in thedriving game more than doubled when theirfriends were watching as compared to when theteens played the game alone. This outcomeindicates that teens may find it more difficult to

Peer Pressure:Its Influence on Teensand Decision MakingSay you’re sitting around with some friends

playing video games and someone mentionsa particular game that happens to be one ofyour favorites. “Oh, that game’s easy. So notworth the time,” one of your friends saysdismissively. The others agree. Inwardly, youknow that it is a game you happen to enjoyquite a lot but, outwardly, not wanting to debatethe issue, you go along with the crowd.

You have just experienced what is commonlyreferred to as peer pressure. It is probably moreaccurate to refer to this as peer influence, orsocial influence to adopt a particular type ofbehavior, dress, or attitude in order to beaccepted as part of a group of your equals(“peers”). As a teen, it’s likely you’veexperienced the effect of peer influence in anumber of different areas, ranging from theclothes you wear to the music you listen to.

Peer influence is not necessarily a bad thing.We are all influenced by our peers, bothnegatively and positively, at any age. For teens,as school and other activities take you awayfrom home, you may spend more time with yourfriends than you do with your parents andsiblings. As you become more independent, yourpeers naturally play a greater role in your life.Sometimes, though, particularly in emotionalsituations, peer influence can be hard toresist—it really has become “pressure”—andyou may feel compelled to do something you'reuncomfortable with.

Supplement to “Teens and Decision Making”


Brain Science Reveals” (link to online article atwww.scholastic.com/headsup), neuralconnections that are weak or seldom used areremoved during adolescence through a processcalled synaptic pruning, allowing the brain toredirect precious resources toward more activeconnections. This means that teens have thepotential, through their choices and thebehaviors they engage in, to shape their ownbrain development. Therefore, skill-buildingactivities—such as those physical, learning, andcreative endeavors that teens are oftenencouraged to try through positive peerinfluence—not only provide stimulatingchallenges, but can simultaneously build strongpathways in the brain.

While we are constantly influenced by thosearound us, ultimately the decision to act (or not toact) is up to us as individuals. So when it comesto decision making, the choice is up to you.

control impulsive or risky behaviors when theirfriends are around, or in situations that areemotionally charged.

The positive side

While it can be hard for teens to resist peerinfluence sometimes, especially in the heat ofthe moment, it can also have a positive effect.Just as people can influence others to makenegative choices, they can also influence themto make positive ones. A teen might join avolunteer project because all of his or herfriends are doing it, or get good grades becausethe social group he or she belongs to thinksgetting good grades is important. In fact, friendsoften encourage each other to study, try out forsports, or follow new artistic interests.

In this way, peer influence can lead teens toengage in new activities that can help buildstrong pathways in the brain. As described inthe article, “Teens and Decision Making: What

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The questions covered a wide range of topicsrelated to drug abuse. Some of the top categoriesasked about were:

• marijuana• alcohol• smoking cigarettes • inhalants • steroids and athletic performance• methamphetamine • cocaine• heroin• mushrooms • OxyContin® and Vicodin®

• the effects of doing drugs or alcohol duringpregnancy

• getting help for a friend

For further information about the specific effectsof drugs on your body, visitwww.teens.drugabuse.gov.

Supplement to “Talking With Your Doctor” (continued)

32% of 10th graders, and 42% of 12th gradersreported having used marijuana in theirlifetime.

Q: ABC1234, Lower Merion: How comesome people are greatly effected by doingdrugs when others aren’t?

A: Nancy Pilotte—That is a really greatquestion. You probably already know thatindividuals have different skills and abilities inother aspects of life, so it is natural to expectthat different people respond to drugsdifferently. The ability of drugs to affectdifferent people in different ways is calledvulnerability, and we do not really understandwhat makes one person more or lessvulnerable to drugs than others. We believethat genetics most likely influences howpeople respond to drugs, but there are otherfactors, like the social setting and effects ofyour peers and your expectations that can alteryour perceptions of what a drug is doing toyou. We are very interested in learning moreabout vulnerabilities because that knowledgecan help us devise treatment and preventionstrategies to reduce drug use. To learn more,check out "The Science of Addiction" athttp://www.nida.nih.gov/scienceofaddiction/

Q: kp, Eastern: Why do you think mostpeople start taking drugs?

A: Eve Reider—This is a popular question.People take drugs for a variety of reasons: tofeel better, to feel good, and because others aredoing it are just some of the reasons. Theimportant thing to realize is that the younger aperson begins to use drugs, the more likely heor she will progress to more serious drugabuse. It is also important to know that theearlier you stop using drugs, the more likelyyou will be to avoid addiction and the harmfulbrain changes that lead to it. For moreinformation, seehttp://www.drugabuse.gov/scienceofaddiction/addiction.html

Heads Up compilations are from Scholastic and theNational Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and HumanServices. These compilations are printed by theNational Institute on Drug Abuse. The photographsmay not be removed from the program andreproduced or resold. The photographs are rightsmanaged material. This compilation is in the publicdomain and may be reproduced in its entirety withoutpermission. Citation of the source is appreciated. NIHPublication No. XXXXXX-XXXX. Printed August 2008.

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