City of Santa Clarita, CA - Straight Answers To Tough Questions

Created by Laurel Bear
In cooperation with the Safe and Drug Free Schools Program of the Alhambra High School District
County of Los Angeles Sheriff's Department, Santa Clarita Station
Santa Clarita Sheriff's Advisory Committee
City of Santa Clarita

Introduction: What Exactly is the Problem?
How Does Your Child Score?
Substance Abuse
Adolescent Suicide
Running Away
Truancy
Curfew
Pranks
Teen Parties
Adolescent Sex
Rape/Sexual Abuse
Eating Disorders
Serious Communicable Diseases on the Rise
Connecting the Community
Violent Behavior
Conflict Resolution Through Mediation
Gang Awareness
Zero Tolerance Policies
Community Action Programs
Things to Do In and Around Our Community
Counseling

Introduction: What Exactly is the Problem?

Kids today are exposed to critical choices at younger, more vulnerable ages; what was typical for high school students 10-20 years ago is more typical for junior high school students today.

Living and growing up, even in the 1960's and '70's was simpler, safer, and less stressful. Today, drugs are dangerously stronger, easier to use, less expensive, and more accessible to the very young. Sexually transmitted disease can be fatal. Assault with weapons is common. Gang activity has spread to the suburbs, and the solution to violence is not within reach. A powerful media directs kids' values through radio, CD's, movies, TV, newspapers, books, magazines...even your home computer and telephone. Multi-cultural communities, family financial problems, and increasing amounts of information to be learned add to the stresses of children's lives.

Parenting is tough today. A significant number of families have two working parents or a single parent in the home. Grandparents and relatives are usually far away. Parents are tired and have less time, contact, and influence over children than they have had in decades. Kids have less opportunity to learn values, problem-solving skills, and healthy ways to relieve stress from their lives. Neighbors and neighborhoods are less interactive and more isolated. With far less guidance from positive adult role models, children are making critical and life-changing decisions that can effect them for the rest of their lives.

Even in Santa Clarita where we enjoy fine neighborhoods and schools, our families and children are not immune to the problems of society. Straight Answers to Tough Questions offers a "reality" check for parents. Throughout the booklet, you will find information to help you make important family decisions. You will be urged to learn more about your child's world through his/her friends and their parents, by carpooling, joining PTA and booster groups, attending day and evening school activities, and keeping contact with teachers. You will learn to recognize potential problems, and take active steps toward finding the solutions. The last section of the book contains valuable resources for information, advice, counseling, and health referrals.

With good guidance and good information, you and your children will make better decisions for life.

Straight Answers: How Does Your Child Score?

ASSETS are factors promoting healthy child development. These assets may result from "external" relationships with family, friends, and groups, or from "internal" personal values and attitudes.

How many of these external assets, which equip children to make wise choices, are present in your child's life? (Tip: Have your child fill in the form first in pencil if you want a better picture)

Parents are loving, easy to talk to, and available when teens want to talk
Parents frequently take time to talk seriously with their children
Parents express their own standards for teenage behavior
Parents set rules and enforce the consequences when the rules are broken
Parents check on where their teenager is going, with whom, and for how long
Parents are approachable when the teen has something serious to talk about
The number of nights the teenager may spend out of the home "for fun and recreation" is limited
The teen has three or more adults, in addition to a parent, to whom he/she could go for help
The teenager has frequent serious conversations with an adult that is not his or her own parent
The teenager's friends are a constructive influence, are doing well in school, and are staying away from contact with drugs, alcohol, and other at-risk behaviors
The teenager attends church or synagogue at least once a month
The teenager sees the school atmosphere as caring and encouraging
The teenager participates in band, orchestra, or takes lessons on a musical instrument involving three or more hours a week
The teenager participates in school sports activities, non-school-sponsored sports, or other organizations for three or more hours a week

How many of these internal assets are present in your child's life?

Tries to do his or her best in school
Hopes to be educated beyond high school
Earns above-average school grades
Does six or more hours of homework weekly
Is good at making friends
Tries to stand up for his/her beliefs
Cares about others' feelings
Is good at planning ahead
Is good at making decisions
Has a positive attitude toward self
Envisions a happy future for himself/herself
Shows concern for the poor
Is interested in helping and improving life for others
Holds values that prohibit having sex as a teen

The more assets a child has, the less at-risk behaviors.

Ideally, children should have 25-30 of these external and internal assets for healthy adolescent development. According to a study of nearly 47,000 students in grades 6-12, the average young person has seventeen.

Reprinted from "The Troubled Journey, A Profile of American Youth" 1993, with permission of Search Institute, a private, non-profit research organization specializing in national studies of children, adolescents, and families. For more information, please call (800) 888-7828.

Substance Abuse

Why substance abuse?

One of the main reasons kids experiment with drugs is peer influence. Young people notice acquaintances and friends using alcohol and other drugs without visible harm and they want to be "cool" like "everyone else." Kids are curious about drugs. They're intrigued by what they hear about drugs on television, in music, and in movies. They may see their parents using alcohol and other drugs at social events or at home.

Kids may try alcohol and other drugs to dull the emotions, and insecurities of school or family problems that often go along with adolescence. Temporarily, drugs may seem to work. A shy or troubled child may feel more sure of himself or accepted while using alcohol or drugs, without realizing the dangers involved.

Many parents find it difficult to tell their children not to use drugs because of their own drug use during their youth. Some parents believe that they are hypocrites if they tell their kids not to the same things they did. Parents need to remember to play the responsible role of a parent.

Everyday parenting for crisis prevention

The most vital, yet simple thing you can do as a parent or adult role model is to treat your child as a valued and loved person who is responsible and capable of protecting himself/herself. A child empowered with love, value, and respect will value himself and be much less likely to get involved with drugs or other risky behaviors. Be curious about your child's world. Listen and communicate.

WAKE-UP FACTS

One out of three children lives with an adult who has a drug or alcohol problem.
9 year-olds report that marijuana is easy to get.
14.9 years is the average age for drug treatment.

Substance Abuse and Other Risky Behaviors

Probability of student risk in related areas

This chart calculates the percentage of probability of a student who is at-risk in one area, also being at-risk in other areas. For example, if a student is at-risk for alcohol use, then the chance that he/she is also at-risk for sexual activity is 70%, and the chance that he/she is at-risk for vehicle safety is 86%. Note the disturbing probabilities for students at-risk in the area of drug use.

	Alcohol Use	Tobacco Use	Illicit Drug Use	Sexual Activity	Depression/Suicide	Anti-Social Behavior	School Attendance	Vehicle Safety
Alcohol Use	- - -	42%	27%	70%	33%	49%	23%	86%
Tobacco Use	66%	- - -	35%	77%	39%	53%	26%	85%
Illicit Drug Use	72%	60%	- - -	84%	46%	61%	32%	88%
Sexual Activity	49%	34%	22%	- - -	34%	41%	19%	77%
Depression/ Suicide	41%	30%	21%	59%	- - -	38%	18%	73%
Anti-Social Behavior	54%	37%	24%	64%	34%	- - -	22%	82%
School Attendance	62%	43%	31%	72%	40%	53%	- - -	82%
Vehicle Safety	41%	25%	15%	52%	28%	35%	15%	- - -

From a study of 46,799 - 6-12 grade students. This study does not include the urban poor or students who have already dropped out of school. The addition of these groups would most likely add to the percentages substantially.

Reprinted from "The Troubled Journey, A Profile of American Youth" 1993, with permission of Search Institute. For more information, call (800) 888-7828.

Definitions of At-Risk Behaviors

Behavior	Definition
Alcohol Use	Frequent alcohol use Binge drinking
Tobacco Use	Daily cigarette use Chewing tobacco use
Illicit Drug Use	Frequent use of illicit drugs
Sexual Activity	Sexually active Non-use of contraceptives
Depression/Suicide	Depression Attempted suicide
Anti-Social Behavior	Vandalism Group fighting Police trouble Theft Weapon use
School Attendance	School absenteeism Desire to drop out
ehicle Safety	Driving and drinking Drinking and riding Seat belt non-use

Reprinted with permission of Search Institute. For more information, call (800) 888-7828.

Reasons Kids Experiment with Drugs

Boredom, lack of excitement or challenge, idle time
Socialization with friends
Media influence
Low exposure to prevention programs, lack of actual information about the dangers of drug and alcohol use
Modeling parents or other adults
Lack of appropriate values for maintaining health and well-being
Low self-concept
Strong need for independence
Escape from problems, loneliness, failure
Desire for chemically induced physical or mental energy
Self-medication for depression, anxiety, and other disorders
Anti-social behavior
Unnecessary risk-taking or thrill-seeking behavior
Resistance to traditional authority (parents, school, or society in general)

Facts About Commonly Abused Substances

TOBACCO (cigarettes, chewing tobacco, snuff)

The number of teen smokers is rising, not falling.
Initiation of daily smoking is highest among junior high school students (ages 12-14).
Nicotine, the addictive substance in tobacco, is so toxic that it has been used as an insecticide.
Though the immediate effects of smoking are not evident, long-term effects are drastic and can include heart, bronchial and lung disease, cancer, and other diseases. Chewing tobacco and snuff can cause mouth lesions and cancer.
The addicted smoker may suffer from withdrawal symptoms including irritability, nervousness, headaches, compulsive eating, inability to concentrate, sleeplessness, and reduced heart rate.
Tobacco is a "gateway drug." Kids who smoke cigarettes in elementary and junior high school often "graduate" to using marijuana.

MARIJUANA (pot, hemp, bud, dope, grass, weed, reef, herb, chronic, fatty, blunt, reefer, maryjane, joint, blaze, "420")

Marijuana comes from the crushed leaves, flowers and seeds of the Cannabis sativa plant, which contains over 400 chemicals, many which are toxic. (Hashish comes from this plant too.)
The effects of marijuana grown today can be 3-10 times stronger than marijuana grown in the '60's and '70's due to a highly increased Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content.
It takes about one month for the THC in one marijuana cigarette (joint) to leave the body.
Over 90% of high school seniors have used marijuana.
Over 40% of the young people who use marijuana have also used one or more other illegal drugs.
The earlier a person starts smoking cigarettes and marijuana, the more likely he/she is to progress to other drugs.

ALCOHOL (brews, brewskis, bud, shooters, 40's)

Alcohol is the drug most widely used by youth; it is easily obtained in many homes. Alcohol is also sometimes brought to school in flasks, sports bottles, and other containers.
Young people have fewer defenses against acute intoxication and more rapid addiction to alcohol than adults do. It takes only 5 to 15 months for a 14-19 year old to become addicted to alcohol. It takes only 5 to 15 weeks for a child under 14 to become addicted.
Wine coolers contain as much alcohol as a full shot of whiskey.
The use of alcohol and other drugs by adolescents often leads to unplanned, unprotected sex.
Aside from the toxic effects of alcohol on the organs of the body, heavy use can cause aggressive sexuality, uncontrollable outbursts of rage, blackouts, vehicle and other accidents, and violence leading to homicide or suicide.
The combination of marijuana and alcohol can be extremely dangerous. The THC in marijuana turns off the vomit control center of the brain, which is nature's way of getting rid of toxic substances when they are reaching a dangerously high level.
Weekend "binge drinking" and alcohol games are common among high school teens and can lead to death.

INHALANTS (sniffing, huffing, nitrous)

Glue and inhalants are often abused by children 7-17 years old because they are sold legally, are easy to get, and are inexpensive.
Any aerosol or substance that produces fumes can be inhaled by a child in an attempt to get "high." Examples include magic markers, crazy glue, or spray paint.
Solvents and aerosol sprays decrease the heart and respiratory rates and impair judgment.
Repeated sniffing over time can permanently damage the brain, nervous system, lungs, kidneys, liver, and nasal passages.
High levels of inhalants may cause dizziness, vomiting, decreased heart rate, violent behavior, unconsciousness, or death. Death can occur the first time that an inhalant is used.
It is estimated that 1-in-3 children experiment with inhalants.

COCAINE (coke, crack, blow, white, flake, rock, nose candy, snow, chiva)

Cocaine is a highly addictive stimulant, sold as a white chunky powder, usually chopped into a fine powder, and inhaled into the nose with a short straw. It can be injected and, in the form of "crack," it can be smoked.
A child's lunch money can buy enough cocaine to get high.
"Crack" is a deadly, highly addictive form of cocaine. It has become an introductory drug for kids in some communities because of its availability and low cost.
Cocaine generates a brief high followed by an intense depression and craving for more of the drug, agitation, and physical and mental depletion.
An overdose of cocaine can cause extreme agitation, respiratory failure, heart failure, or death.
Constant sniffing may be a sign of use.

ROHYPNOL (ruffies, forget pill, poor man's qualudes, trip-and-fall, Pappas, date-rape drug)

The drug causes drowsiness, confusion, impaired motor skills, impaired judgment, and reduced levels of consciousness. It has also been known to cause amnesia.
When dissolved, it is odorless, colorless, and tasteless.
There have been reports of people "dosing" other people by slipping the tablet into a drink without the victim's knowledge.
Rohypnol, when mixed with alcohol, may produce extremely low blood pressure, difficulty breathing, coma, and death.
Rohypnol is illegal to manufacture, distribute, or possess in the U.S. and has never been approved for medical use.

METHAMPHETAMINES, AMPHETAMINES (speed, tweak, crank, uppers, meth, crystal meth, ice, glass, crystal, bennies)

Methamphetamines are used by students for alertness, energy, and weight loss with severe consequences.
Methamphetamines and amphetamines are dangerous addictive stimulants, available in pill, capsule, and powder form and swallowed, injected, or inhaled through the nose.
Long-term use can cause impaired vision, poor coordination, dizziness, paranoia, weight loss, convulsions, and collapse. High doses can result in fever, high blood pressure, stroke, and cardiac arrest.

HEROIN (smack, horse, brown sugar, junk, mud, big-it, black tar)

Initially, heroin produces a feeling of euphoria that is often followed by drowsiness, nausea, and vomiting. Users may also experience constricted pupils, watery eyes, and itching.
An overdose may produce slow and shallow breathing, clammy skin, convulsions, coma, and death.
The threat of contaminated needles has kept down the use of heroin in the past; however, it is now available in a powder form that can be inhaled or ingested.

LSD (acid, tabs, psychedelic, microdot, white lightning, window pane, blot or blotter, dropping a tab, fry)

LSD is a powerful, chemically manufactured hallucinogen. The drug's effects on the brain are highly unpredictable. Users may experience extreme and often frightening distortions of reality, seeing, hearing, and feeling things that are not real.
Liquid LSD is so potent that a dose may be a tiny drop added to a drink or absorbed by paper, pills, or anything that can be eaten or swallowed.
LSD can cause panic, suspiciousness, and behavior that mimics mental illness. Extended use can cause permanent brain damage.

PHENCYCLIDINE (PCP, Angel dust, loveboat, lovely, hog)

PCP is a powerful hallucinogen.
It can be used with a marijuana cigarette or regular cigarette.
PCP interrupts the section of the brain that controls the intellect and keeps instincts in check
It blocks pain receptors that may result in violent PCP-induced episodes and cause self-inflected injuries.
Chronic users report persistent memory problems and speech difficulties. Mood disorders such as depression, anxiety, and violent behaviors also occur.
Large doses may produce convulsions and coma, heart and lung failure, or ruptured blood vessels in the brain.

STEROIDS (roids, sauce, juice)

Steroids are taken illegally by athletes or people who want to increase their body size.
Steroids are often sold illegally in gyms, locker rooms, or through magazine ads and are taken orally as tablets or through injection in the buttocks or thigh.
Steroids cause widely different and unpredictable results. Some symptoms are: gain in muscle mass or body weight, increased eating, insomnia, acne, "roid" rage or aggression, puffy face, bad breath, yellowing of eyes, swelling of feet and legs, trembling, injury especially to tendons, or deepening voice.
Long-term, high-dose use can lead to addiction; depression; uncontrollable behavior; date rape; homicidal and suicidal behaviors; serious problems with the reproductive system; cancer; and heart, brain, and liver disease.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

There are many other substances that fall into the category of abused drugs. As a parent, you are your child's best defense against drug abuse and their best advocate if a drug problem arises. Your parenting will be most effective if you are well informed.

Substance Abuse Prevention Tips

Remember that you are a role model in everything you say and do. If you are drinking or taking drugs, your children are noticing and learning from you. Children resent the double-standard adults often present.
Know your children's friends. Ask to meet them. Know their names; phone numbers; and, if possible, get to know their parents.
Clearly communicate your family policy on alcohol and other drug use. Don't assume your children know you don't want them using drugs. Be a credible source of information; don't exaggerate the effects of a given drug or play it down.
Teach children clear standards of right, wrong, and responsibility. Set and enforce rules for behavior.
Don't involve your children in any form of alcohol or other drug use.
Let everyone involved with your children, including parents and friends, know that your children are not allowed to use drugs, including alcohol. Network with other parents to create alcohol and drug-free environments for your children.
Identify and discuss with your child the "do drugs" messages on the radio, in CD's, movies, videos, TV, magazines, computer networks, and even in sports.
Host drug and alcohol-free parties in your home.
Reduce the amount of time your child is "hanging out." Know what he/she is doing and whom he/she is with.
Avoid giving your child excess cash.
Keep children busy with activities that challenge, excite, encourage independence, and provide a fulfilling "high" without the use of drugs. Include activities that promote the welfare of others.
Accept your child's individuality, without comparisons to siblings or relatives.
Spend enough time with your children each day to allow them to share their feelings and opinions. Don't wait for a problem to arise to take time to communicate. Ask questions that require more than a "yes" or "no" answer; and ACTIVELY LISTEN to your child without judging. The escalation of day-to-day situations into a full-blown crisis is often due to a failure to communicate.
If you can't be there as a parent, make sure your child has at least one positive adult figure (another parent, a relative, teacher, counselor or friend) who listens, cares, and gives your child nurturing support.
Don't be so naive as to think that your child would never use drugs.

Stages of Drug Use and Abuse

Most professionals see the progression from experimental alcohol and other drug use as a process, which involves stages. This process can occur quickly or slowly, depending on the adolescent's emotional stability, availability of drugs, peer pressure, and other factors. The following four stages are an overview of the typical progression from experimental drug use to chronic abuse.

Experimental Stage

The initial stage of drug use is usually experimental. The adolescent is curious about the effects of the drug and wants to experience the "high." Experimentation may occur once or several times, usually on the weekends or during the summer when there is more free time. Initiation to drugs usually comes from friends or acquaintances. Abuse may occur at this stage.

Social Stage

In the social stage, the most common reasons for using drugs are peer pressure and acceptance. If the adolescent perceives that "all the kids" are smoking marijuana and drinking alcohol, drug use easily becomes an accepted way to be part of the group. Social use most often occurs on weekends or during idle time after school. The adolescent usually sets limits on his/her consumption. Sometimes he/she goes beyond those limits. Abuse of drugs becomes more frequent in the social stage.

Dependent Stage

In the dependent stage, the adolescent becomes preoccupied with the drug. The adolescent no longer uses drugs for a temporary "high" from which he/she returns to a normal state. They feel emotionally guilty, knowing that drugs have become the main focus of his/her life. Attitude, appearance, and behavior change dramatically. The social aspects of drugs taper off. The adolescent abuses drugs alone more often.

Chronic Stage

In the chronic stage, the adolescent feels constant emotional or physical pain, which can only be lessened by the drug. The adolescent's main thoughts focus on obtaining and using more drugs. Effects of chronic abuse are most dramatic if the adolescent has grown addicted to those drugs, which cause emotional or physical withdrawal when not available. At this stage, the adolescent requires long-term treatment to assist in recovery.

Signs and Symptoms of Drug Use

Early signs of alcohol and other drug use are subtle and may be confused with normal adolescent behavior. However, if several of these signs are present, consider it a warning and seek further help.

Physical symptoms

Smell of alcohol on breath
Loss of coordination, dizziness, stumbling, staggering
Change in speech and vocabulary patterns (rapid speech or slurring)
Nausea, vomiting, or "illness"
Change in sleep patterns (sleepless for long periods, followed by sleeping or "crashing" for long periods)
Bloodshot, red or glazed eyes, droopy eyelids
Imprecise eye movements
Wearing sunglasses at inappropriate times
Sudden appetite, especially for sweets
Altered perception
Lethargy, lack of energy and vitality
Neglect of personal appearance and grooming
Abnormally pale complexion
Picking at skin, scabs, scratching
Slowed physical development
Unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite
Needle marks

Behavioral changes

New interest in drug culture (drug related posters, clothing, magazines, paraphernalia)
Change in friends, unwillingness to introduce friends to family
Changes in values, beliefs
Withdrawal from family
Unexplained mood swings, depression, irritability, paranoia, anxiety
Inappropriate overreaction to simple requests or mild criticism
Loss of motivation and enthusiasm
Preoccupation with self, less concern for the feelings of others
Loss of interest in previously valued hobbies, sports, and activities
Decreased interaction and communication with others
Secrecy
Isolation
Lying, stealing, vandalism
Fake ID (indicating legal drinking age)
Frequent attendance at late night "dance" clubs, parties or raves
Unnecessary risk-taking
Aggressiveness, hostility, fighting
Loss of ability to assume responsibility
Money problems

School changes

Distinct and complete change in peer group
Loss of motivation for school activities
Decline in academic performance
Frequent tardiness and absenteeism
Reduced short-term memory, concentration, and attention span
Slow to respond, apathetic
Increased discipline and behavioral problems
Dozing in class or meetings

Physical evidence

Alcohol or prescription drugs missing from the home
Flasks or sports bottles in the backpack
Money or valuables that could easily be sold are missing
Marijuana cigarettes (joints), rolled and twisted at each end
Odor of marijuana (like burnt rope) on clothing, in the home
Cigarette rolling papers
Room deodorizers, incense
Eyedrops, mouthwash
Leaves, seeds, plants, mushrooms, powders, compact chunks
Pipes, pipe filters, screens, strainers
"Roach" clips (metal clips to hold the butts of a marijuana joint)
"Bongs" (water pipes, usually glass or plastic, sometimes large)
Stash cans (soft drink, beer, deodorant and other cans that unscrew at the top or bottom)
Small plastic baggies or small glass vials
Unfamiliar small containers or locked boxes
Capsules or tablets
Small spoons, straws, rubber tubing, razor blades, mirrors, pipes (for use with cocaine)
Drug-related books, magazines, comics

NOTE: These are possible but NOT conclusive signs of drug use.

If you suspect your child is using alcohol or other drugs, he/she may well be. Learn all you can about the subject. Your child's teacher(s), counselor, administrators, and school health aide may be good sources of support and information. Seek any professional help you might need to decide how to best approach your child.

If you protect your child from the negative
consequences of drug use and dependency,
you will only contribute to
his/her continued abuse.

There are reassuring, confidential sources of help available for you and your child in the Community Resources section at the end of this booklet. Some services are free or may have sliding fee scales, which enable you to pay what you can afford, and some services are covered by insurance.