Katrina Wyche, M.Ed.

, OCPS I
Manager, Environmental Prevention
June 10, 2014
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Older & Wiser,
Shaping Youth in Your Community

Who We Are
The Coalition for a Drug-Free Greater
Cincinnati was founded in 1996 as a long-term
effort to reduce adolescent alcohol and drug
use.

We serve a 10-county region in Ohio, Indiana
and Kentucky.

It is our vision that every child in our
community will grow up in an environment
that is purposefully drug-free.

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What We Do
Mission: to promote drug-free environments for
youth by enhancing partnerships to educate,
advocate and support locally-based
community mobilization.

Goal: to prevent & reduce substance use among
youth
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Coalition Approach
Build and expand community partnerships

Increase public awareness to build
community readiness to address the problem

Empower families and youth with knowledge
to practice prevention

Limit access to addictive substances

Expand early detection and intervention

Impact policy for long-term change

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Pride Survey
Pride Surveys questionnaire

Administered every two years - 8
th
cycle since
2000

56,708 seventh through twelfth grade students
from 107 schools completed the survey

Distribution by grade/age, by gender, and by race
is representative of the region

Respondents from public, private & parochial
schools across 7 counties in the tri-state region

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Key Findings & Trends
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Prevalence of Use
2014 Student Drug Use Survey During the past
30-days?
Alcohol 17.8%
Cigarettes 9.8%
Marijuana 11.4%
Prescription Drugs 4.3%
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Overall, most youth are not
using
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National Comparison of 12
th
gr.
Core
Measure :
Past 30-day
Use
Student
Drug Use
Survey
(regional)
Monitoring
the Future
(national)
Alcohol 36.9% 39.2%
Cigarettes 18.6% 16.3%
Marijuana 20.9% 22.7%
Prescription
Drugs
7.8% 7.0%


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Age of First Use
2014 Student Drug Use Survey Average Age
Students Report
First Using a
Substance
Alcohol 13.4 yrs.
Tobacco 12.5 yrs.
Marijuana 13.8 yrs.
Prescription Drugs 13.3 yrs.
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Adolescence is a critical time
for preventing drug addiction.
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What Can You do to
Prevent Youth From Using
Drugs or Alcohol?
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Be a Caring Adult
1. Role Model Behavior
2. Express Expectations
3. Clear and Consistent Rules
4. Monitor Activities
5. Have Difficult Conversations
6. Serve as Resource

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Spending Time Together
Play a sport such as tennis, golf, bowling,
swimming, etc.
Play board games
Have a designated movie night
Tell jokes with each other
Visit a free museum
See a play or musical
Take a small trip together
Go camping
Go fishing
Explore a park across town or a playground
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Look for Signs & Symptoms
Bloodshot Eyes/ Dilated Pupils
Use of Eye Drops
Skipping Class
Declining Grades
Suddenly Getting into Trouble
Dropping Friends
Secretive About New Peer Group
Loss of Interesting in Hobbies
Late to or Not Attending Practice
Demanding Privacy
Avoiding Eye Contact
Sneaking Around
Locking Doors
Acting Uncharacteristically
Dishonesty
Isolated
Withdrawn
Angry
Depressed
Missing Money/Valuables



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Marijuana
Names: Weed, Mary Jane, ganja, grass

Heroin
Names: China white, Aunt Hazel, Black Pearl, Brown
Sugar, Tootsie Roll, Hillbilly, Miss Emma

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Ways to Find Treatment
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Central Community Health Board of
Hamilton County, Drug Services
Program (513) 559-2056

Pathways (513) 557-2500

Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
-National hotline, open 24/7 every day

Call 1-800-607-0730 to find a treatment center
near you, also open 24/7



Prevention Doesnt Stop
with Age
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Keep Yourself Safe

Be sure to take medications properly

Do not use illicit drugs

Drink Responsibly




(examples of a standard drink)
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Some Guidelines to Safe
Drinking
Avoid alcohol if you
Plan to drive
Are watching/taking care of children
Are using power tools
Take certain prescription or over-the-counter
drugs (ask your doctor or health care
provider)
Have certain medical conditions, such as high
blood pressure or diabetes
Are in recovery from alcohol problems
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Medication Dos & Donts
Do
Understand all instructions
Follow instructions exactly
Keep all medications in one place
Keep medications taken by mouth separate
from those you put on skin
Check the expiration date
Organize a system, such as a chart

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Medication Dos & Donts
Dont.
Drink alcohol in combination without asking
a doctor first
Give, take, or trade medications with another
person
Transfer a drug from its original container to
another, except for pill containers
Save medications for future use
Take medications in the dark
Stop taking them without checking with a
doctor

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Symptoms of Alcohol or
Medication Problems
Blackouts
Forgetfulness or trouble concentrating
Frequent falls and unexplained bruising
Shakes or tremors
Constant irritability
Poor hygiene, self neglect, home neglect
Sleep problems or daytime drowsiness
Slurred speech
Clumsiness, and trouble walking
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Resources
Visit www.drugfreecincinnati.org
or call 513-751-8000

Strong Voices Smart Choices
(A Special Message to Grown-Ups Who Care
About Kids, available through CDFGC)

Search Institute www.searchinstitute.org

Parent Further www.parentfurther.com

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Q & A
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