Resources

http://www.al-anon.alateen.org/pdf/p81.pdf  (After treatment- now what)

http://www.al-anon.alateen.org/meetings/meeting.html (Find a meeting near you)

http://www.aacap.org/publications/factsfam/subabuse.htm 

http://www.focusas.com/SubstanceAbuse.html 

A group of religious leaders that have come to believe that the 'War on Drugs' has not only failed in its efforts to make America free of 'illicit drugs' but in the process has constructed laws that are highly unjust, racist in application, a threat to individual freedom and a danger to our public health.

Family Watch is a network of groups and individuals concerned about the impact of drug policy on families, women and children. They provide mailing lists.

The November Coalition is a grassroots organization dedicated to educating the public about the destructive increase in prison population in the United States and the steady erosion of our civil rights and freedoms by the federal government. We are dedicated to the preservation of the Constitution of the United States, the Bill of Rights and to the power of the several states. November Coalition seeks to inform the citizenry - particularly those who may be complacent - on the present and impending dangers of an overly powerful federal authority acting far beyond its constitutional constraints. They provide a newsletter and mailing lists.

The Council on Illicit Drugs is one of nine councils which make up the National Association for Public Health Policy. The NAPHP is the activist voice of the public health professions in supporting policies which will benefit the health of the American public. The Council has adopted a policy statement entitled A Public Health Approach to Mitigating the Negative Consequences of Illicit Drug Abuse which supports harm reduction, needle exchange, methadone maintenance, heroin maintenance, medical marijuana, etc.. The Council acts primarily through provision of expert testimony and endorsement of legislation. They provide a newsletter and mailing lists.

Human Rights and the Drug War (aka Human Rights 95, HR 95) highlights the human casualties and costs of the U.S. Drug War. Its public education activity includes photo exhibits, slide shows, and a website, to unveil 'the human face' and tell the stories of non-violent drug offenders serving harsh prison sentences. It discusses sentencing, human rights and Constitutional issues, conspiracy law, the prison/drug war industrial complex, etc., and inspired the book, SHATTERED LIVES: PORTRAITS FROM AMERICA'S DRUG WAR. SHATTERED LIVES covers prison issues and the Drug War Industrial Complex.

ReconsiDer is a not -for-profit corporation, chartered under the rules of New York State, and operates primarily in that state. Our unifying belief, that the war on drugs has failed, grounds our fundamental purposes: to effect substantial change in United States drug policy; to promote, support, and engage in open discussion of alternatives to the War on Drugs, to form numerous chapters that challenge citizens and local political leaders to rethink drug policies; and to help enact pragmatic legislation that reduces harm and preserves liberties.

The Harm Reduction Coalition (HRC) is committed to reducing drug-related harm among individuals and communities by initiating and promoting local, regional, and national harm reduction education, interventions, and community organizing. HRC fosters alternative models to conventional health and human services and drug treatment; challenges traditional client/provider relationships; and provides resources, educational materials, and support to health professionals and drug users in their communities to address drug-related harm. They provide a newsletter.

The Dogwood Center is an independent, nonprofit research organization concerned with social justice issues involving drugs and AIDS.

DrugSense and The Media Awareness Project (MAP) are dedicated to gathering and disseminating honest accurate facts on drug policy matters. To that end they collect, summarize, archive, and distribute nearly a thousand news articles per month. They offer a weekly newsletter summary called the DrugSense Weekly (a _must read_ for anyone interested in drug policy) as well as Focus Alerts enabling you to take action by writing letters and even Op-eds. They provide training in numerous activities, including News Hawking, editing, and discussion lists that enable you to take direct ACTION in helping bring about needed reform. You can dictate your own level of involvement as your time allows. They provide a newsletter and mailing lists.

MAP works to ensure more balanced and accurate media coverage of drug policy issues and maintains a comprehensive archive of drug policy news and many free e-mail subscription services.

The Lindesmith Center-West is a policy and research institute and public interest law center dedicated to broadening debate on drug policy and related issues. The Center's agenda focuses on issues and strategies that have been overlooked or ignored in public discussions and government-funded research on drug policy.

Efficacy is a non-profit organization devoted to teaching peace. They are based in Connecticut. Their primary mission is to advocate sustained open discussion of drug policy reform. They have a speakers' bureau and take engagements throughout New England and the New York City area.

The Drug Reform Coordination Network was founded in 1993 and has quickly grown into a national network of more than 10,000 activists and concerned citizens including parents, educators, students, lawyers, health care professionals, academics, and others working for drug policy reform from a variety of perspectives, including harm reduction, reform of sentencing and forfeiture laws, medicalization of currently schedule I drugs, and promotion of an open debate on drug prohibition. They provide a newsletter and mailing lists.

Do whatever you can to get between your kid and drugs/alcohol!!!

contact@nicd.us

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F) INTERVENTION / PREVENTION

Brought to you by Intervention Center

Anytime someone needs help but refuses to accept it, a family intervention is appropriate.

A family intervention can be used for people engaged in any self-destructive behavior:

·         a person drinking too much

·         an anorexic

·         a gambler

·         a computer addict

·         a senior needing assisted living

Intervention is the most loving, powerful and successful method yet for helping people accept help.

A family intervention can be done with love and respect in a non-confrontational, non-judgmental manner.

A family intervention is often the answer, the only answer. It can be done. It can be done now.

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Family Intervention works.

A common scenario is as follows:

The Preparation

Family and friends may initially be apprehensive and confused. They may be ambivalent about whether or not to do the intervention. Some may be afraid of the person, others may be angry.

The goal is to move from this disorganized and chaotic state to a cohesive, focused group.

To do this, the participants meet with the leader beforehand to educate themselves about the dysfunction, to determine how to best help themselves, and to prepare for Intervention Day. This includes identifying others who should be involved , exploring appropriate treatment options, and preparing what they are going to say.

This preparation often involves several meetings, telephone calls, and culminates in a practice session immediately prior to the Intervention Day.

The time varies, but the process is usually contained within one to two weeks. Sometimes it can be shortened to a weekend.

Family Intervention Day

Imagine family, friends, work colleagues and an intervention leader entering a man's home or office.

As the leader ensures the process is orderly and safe, the man hears how much he means to everyone there, how he affects them with his behavior, and what they want their relationship with him to be in the future.

Then the man is asked to accept help now; appropriate arrangements are already in place. The tone is loving, respectful and supportive, but firm; there is no debate.

Seeing his many loved ones, friends and colleagues together, the man hears what they say and knows he can no longer hide his problem. Nor does he want to.

In a short time he is receiving help.

Following Family Intervention Day

Much remains to be done. The education process continues. Participants follow through on their plans for helping themselves.

It is never business as usual again.

Family Interventions Vary

Because each family situation is different, the scope and approach to each intervention must vary accordingly. What may be practical and appropriate for one family may not be for another.

For example, some family interventions require several weeks of preparation, others can be done in a few hours or days. Some family interventions have a professional leader present, others not. Often a family intervention occurs in the person's home, others in the leader's office. Some are a surprise, others are not. Sometimes a great deal of family education takes place before the intervention, in others it takes place afterward.

A Word of Caution:

Family interventions are difficult and delicate matters and it is important that they be done properly.

No family intervention should be undertaken without advice and counsel of a professional experienced in the intervention process.

Furthermore, since people embarking on an intervention often feel ambivalent and apprehensive, it is important that they trust the interventionist. Should you ever feel uneasy with your interventionist, that you are being asked to do something you do not understand or agree with, you would be wise to stop the process and go elsewhere.

Additional Resources:

Prevention/Intervention I 

Prevention II

Prevention III

Prevention/Education IV

Prevention/Education V 

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G) SIGNS, SYMPTOMS, AND BEHAVIORS OF USE

Specific: General: Abrupt changes in work or school attendance, quality of work, work output, grades, discipline. Unusual flare-ups or outbreaks of temper. Withdrawal from responsibility. General changes in overall attitude. Deterioration of physical appearance and grooming. Wearing of sunglasses at inappropriate times. Continual wearing of long-sleeved garments particularly in hot weather or reluctance to wear short sleeved attire when appropriate. Association with known substance abusers. Unusual borrowing of money from friends, co-workers or parents. Stealing small items from employer, home or school. Secretive behavior regarding actions and possessions; poorly concealed attempts to avoid attention and suspicion such as frequent trips to storage rooms, restroom, basement, etc. 

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Specific: DSM-IV Definition of Addiction- A maladaptive pattern of substance use, leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by three (or more) of the following, occurring at any time in the same 12-month period: (1) Tolerance, as defined by either of the following: a. A need for markedly increased amounts of the substance to achieve intoxication or desired effect. b. Markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of the substance. (2) Withdrawal, as manifested by either of the following: a. The characteristic withdrawal syndrome for the substance b. The same (or a closely related) substance is taken to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms. (3) The substance is often taken in larger amounts or over a longer period than was intended (loss of control).(4) There is a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control substance use (loss of control). (5) A great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain the substance, use the substance, or recover from its effects (preoccupation). (6) Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of substance use (continuation despite adverse consequences). (7) The substance use is continued despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by the substance (adverse consequences).

Specific: Pupil Dilation Before you do anything, consider this. There are two trains of thought prior to detection and intervention. One thought is to catch and punish, and the other is to identify and help- remember why you are doing this, and the intervention will turn out much better.

Note: The following images are actual charts used by Neurologists, M.D.'s, R.N.'s, Drug Counselors, etc. to diagnose conditions related to brain injuries, medications effects, and intoxication / drug use indicators.

The images to the left are of various pupil sizes. A 6mm, 7mm, or 8mm pupil size could indicate that a person is under the influence of cocaine, crack, meth., hallucinogens, crystal, ecstasy, or other stimulant. A 1mm or 2mm pupil size could indicate a person under the influence of heroin, opiates, or other depressant, (see more examples below).

This pupil is close to pinpoint and could indicate use.

This pupil is completely dilated and could indicate use.

Blown out wide pupils are indicative of crack, methamphetamine, cocaine, stimulant use. Pinpoint pupils are indicative of heroin, opiate, depressant use.

Other causes of pupil dilation

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H) YOUTH AND FAMILY SUPPORT RESOURCES/OTHER RESOURCES

Michigan Resource Center (MRC)… www.wearemrc.org Resource for local, state & national prevention services, brochures, videos, etc.

Prevention Network… www.preventionnetwork.org Network of state organizations providing all types prevention information

The Search Institute … www.search-institute.org Site with researched information promoting the well-being of children

Talking with Kids about Tough Issues… www.talkingwithkids.org A national initiative sponsored by Children NOW, 1-800-CHILD-44

Association & MTV. http://helping.apa.org 1-800-268-0078

Parenting is Prevention Site – www.parentingisprevention.org Links to many sites promoting parenting and families .