MulvaneMulvane

Adolescent Problem Adolescent Problem BehaviorsBehaviors

Substance AbuseDelinquencyTeen PregnancySchool Drop-OutViolence

The Science Around The Science Around Adolescent Brain DevelopmentAdolescent Brain Development

Teen Brains Are Still “Under Construction!” Recent developments in science are providing new

insights about:1. Why teenagers take risks and show poor judgment2. How teenagers may be highly vulnerable to substance

abuse

www.time.com/time/covers/1101040510/

The Adolescent BrainThe Adolescent Brain We knew before:

– The brain uses 20% of body’s energy

– The brain constitutes 2% of body weight

– By age 6, the brain is 95% of its adult size

– In the first 18 months of life, the brain undergoes a rapid process of overproduction, paring, and reorganization of brain cells.

Now we know:– A second wave of

ExuberanceExuberance occurs between the ages of 10 and 13

– The brain is highly receptive to new info and primed to acquire new skills

– This process peaks around 11 or 12 years old but continues into the mid-20s (around age 24)

Based on research of Dr. Jay Giedd. National Institute of Mental Health (2004)

Nikki Smith – The BACCHUS Network

Frontal Cortex—”CEO”

*Planning, Strategizing, Logic, Judgment

Amygdala*Emotional and gut responses; fear and anger

*Used more in Adolescents

Cerebelleum*Coordinates muscles/ movement

*Coordinates thinking processes

Corpus Callosum*Connects Hemispheres

*Creativity & Problem Solving

Hippocampus*Forms Memories

*Coordinates thinking processes

The Adolescent Brain(PBS – Frontline: Inside the Teenage Brain)

The Adolescent BrainThe Adolescent Brain

Frontal Lobe Immaturity Could Translate into:– Poor judgment and difficulty thinking through consequences of

behavior – Increased risk-taking; inappropriate actions not as inhibited as

in adults– Impulsive and emotional responses rather than logical and

practical ones– Miscommunication with peers and adults—they miss subtle

social cues, misinterpret expectations, and misread facial expressions. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/teenbrain/work/adolescent.html

Critical Thinking Improves with AgeCritical Thinking Improves with Age• By age 18, the adolescent’s judgment for structured challenges is

roughly equal to that of adults.• Judgment that involves resisting impulses or delaying

gratification is still under construction during late adolescence and early adulthood.

http://www.hbo.com/addiction/img/primarylanding/primary_adolescent.jpg

Implications for Adolescent Implications for Adolescent Brain DevelopmentBrain Development

Preference for sensation seeking and physical activity

Poor planning and judgmentMinimal consideration of negative

consequencesMore risky, impulsive behaviors*

*There is some evidence that being in a group accentuates impulsiveness.

Youth are Highly Youth are Highly Vulnerable to the Effects Vulnerable to the Effects

of Alcoholof Alcohol

Age First Drink Predicts Adult AUD from National Household Study Age First Drink Predicts Adult AUD from National Household Study on Drug Use & Healthon Drug Use & Health (SAMHSA, 2006)(SAMHSA, 2006)

Fewer Problems in ThoseWho Start Later

What does the local data say?What does the local data say?

Taking a look at current trends….

Source: KCTC Student Survey DataSource: KCTC Student Survey Data

Mulvane (Youth Alcohol Use) Prevalence vs. Availability vs. Attitudes

0

10

20

30

40

50

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

%

30 Day Prevalence Perceived Availability Community Favorable Attitudes Ind/Peer Favorable Attitudes

Source: KCTC Student SurveySource: KCTC Student Survey

30.8

18.5

25.7

14

27.2

15.2

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

%

Mulvane Sedgwick Co. Kansas

Mulvane - 30 Day Alcohol Use & Binge Drinking (5 or more at one time)

Alcohol Binge Drinking

In USD 263 - Mulvane public schools …(KCTC, 2008)

…which means of Mulvane’s (618) 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th graders …

12.7% of students smoked cigarettes in the past 30 days

78 students have smoked cigarettes in the past 30 days

30.8% of students drank alcohol in the past 30 days

190 students have drank alcohol in the past 30 days

7.8% of students smoked marijuana in the past 30 days

48 students have smoked marijuana in the past 30 days

18.5% of students were binge drinking in the past 30 days

114 students were binge drinking in the past 30 days

9.7% of students were drunk or high at school at least once

60 students were drunk or high at school at least once

Age of First UseAge of First Use

Use in Mulvane compares similarly to Sedgwick County and the State of Kansas

Alcohol – about 13 years oldCigarettes – about 13 years oldMarijuana – about 14 years old

Let’s take a look at an average Let’s take a look at an average City of Mulvane child . . .City of Mulvane child . . .

*Note: Pictures used are representative of child in story, names are randomly picked.*Note: Pictures used are representative of child in story, names are randomly picked.

This is Kaysie.This is Kaysie.

Kaysie lives in Mulvane. Her mom, a single

parent, works and takes classes at Butler College so she can eventually better support her two girls.

Kaysie is healthy, happy, smart and secure.

Kaysie cares for others and Kaysie cares for others and enjoys playing with her enjoys playing with her neighborhood friends.neighborhood friends.

Kaysie has dreams Kaysie has dreams for the future.for the future.

Kaysie will be part of classroom Kaysie will be part of classroom of 26 students.of 26 students.

Average Age of First Use: Alcohol-10, Cigarettes-10

Kaysie’s Class Kaysie’s Class in 6in 6thth Grade: Grade:

Average Age of First Use: Alcohol-12, Cigarettes-10, Marijuana-12

Kaysie’s Class Kaysie’s Class in 8in 8thth Grade: Grade:

Average Age of First Use: Alcohol-13, Cigarettes-13, Marijuana-14

Kaysie’s Class Kaysie’s Class in 10in 10thth Grade: Grade:

Average Age of First Use: Alcohol-15, Cigarettes-14, Marijuana-15

Kaysie’s Class Kaysie’s Class in 12in 12thth Grade: Grade:

Average Age of First Use: Alcohol-15, Cigarettes-14, Marijuana-15

Kaysie’s Class After Kaysie’s Class After High School:High School:

Give me 110%!Give me 110%!Alcohol robs us of our potentialResearch shows…

– For ADULTS who drink to intoxication, they lose 14 DAYS of training effect

– ADULTS who drink are TWICE as likely to become injured

– The effects of a hangover, 2-4 days later, reduce athletic performance by 11.4%

– How much does that cost you?

What Can You Do?What Can You Do?

DomainsDomains

Individual/PeerFamilySchoolCommunity

What Does Adolescent Brain Research What Does Adolescent Brain Research Mean to Prevention Programming?Mean to Prevention Programming?

EmotionalEmotional Have clear expectations for behaviorHave clear expectations for behavior The importance of BONDINGThe importance of BONDING Training on managing stressTraining on managing stress Teach emotion management strategiesTeach emotion management strategies Reinforce appropriate behaviors.Reinforce appropriate behaviors. Assertiveness trainingAssertiveness training

What Does Adolescent Brain Research What Does Adolescent Brain Research Mean to Prevention Programming?Mean to Prevention Programming?

SocialSocial Communication Communication Goal settingGoal setting Problem-solving Problem-solving

techniquestechniques Parent trainingParent training Increase social Increase social

norming practicesnorming practices

http://www.usu.edu/swc/programs/img/final1.jpghttp://www.usu.edu/swc/programs/img/final1.jpg

What Does Adolescent Brain Research What Does Adolescent Brain Research Mean to Prevention Programming?Mean to Prevention Programming?

MoralMoral• Provide opportunities for students to engage

in healthy discussions that question and examine the issues of underage drinking or other high risk behaviors

• Provide self-management skills for self-control such as refusal skills, goal-setting, and planning for the future

• Teach decision making based on intrinsic motivation rather than external punishments or consequences

http://www.wmho.org/Graphics/YouthCorpMontage1.jpghttp://www.wmho.org/Graphics/YouthCorpMontage1.jpg

Last Thoughts…Last Thoughts…about preventionabout prevention “Learning from experience” may not take place until

underlying brain structures are in place. Function as their frontal lobes: help them decipher emotions;

don’t assume they get it. Encourage sleep. Encourage stress reduction. Look at risk taking as necessary and normal; help students find

safe ways to experiment and take risks. Make use of tested, effective, proven prevention practices,

policies, and programs.

How are They Wired? Nikki Smith The BACCHUS Network

Question: Question: On how many occasions (if any) have you used prescription drugs On how many occasions (if any) have you used prescription drugs (for example, Xanax, Valium, OxyContin, Ritalin, Vicodin, etc.) (for example, Xanax, Valium, OxyContin, Ritalin, Vicodin, etc.) not not prescribed for you by a doctor in the past 30 days?prescribed for you by a doctor in the past 30 days?

Population: Population: MulvaneMulvane 10th grade10th gradePercent Responding: Percent Responding: 1-2 occasions1-2 occasions

0123456789

10

2007 2008 2009

Kansas State Data

Sedgwick CountyDataUSD 263 Data

Why Rx Drugs?Why Rx Drugs?Teens perceive prescription drugs as safer

than ‘street drugs.”Teens report that Rx drugs are easier to

obtain.

For additional information:30 min Rx Generation webcast available

http://www.mctft.com/telecasts/past_telecourses.shtml

For further information contact:For further information contact:Lisa BlumeWichita/Sedgwick CountyRegional Prevention Center at Mirror, Inc.357 South Lulu StreetWichita, KS 67211Phone: (316) 262-2421Fax: (316) 262-8688lblume@mirrorinc.org