Technical Terms
This P is the structed framework of governments and organization to formalize prevention procedures and strategies.
Policy
This 1967 song by African-American singer-song writer, who sadly lost his life to drug use, while officially not drug related, is popularly considered a reference to substance use. Listening to it, particularly all along the watchtower, could leave one in a colorful mist.
Purple Haze - Jimi Hendrix
This party drug was first created in 1912, becoming a strong element of the club scene for its induced sense of euphoria, altered sense of time, and relaxation. Found is a variety of tablets shapes and colors, it is most popular with a younger crowd and features numerous streets names such as Molly, Essence, and Scooby Snacks.
MDMA
Affecting up to 21 million people in the USA, this mental health disorder covers a spectrum that often includes the symptoms of persistent sadness, insomnia, and increased risk of suicide. More prevalent in women and youth the condition is highly treatable if help is sought.
Depression
Though it might not be of quality, this type of information is data that can be counted, measured, or expressed by numbers.
Quantitative Data
Inspired by Lewis Caroll’s Alice in Wonderland, this 1967 song is especially well known for its psychedelic lyrics, imagery, and video. Even if it doesn’t do anything at all, it’s best not to fly on an Airplane listening to this.
White Rabbit - Jefferson Airplane
Created in 1874 for the Bayer pharmaceutical company, this drug is an opioid taking its name from the German word for “Heroic”. Gaining a reputation as a “chic” drug in the 90’s before dropping in popularity, this drug has seen an increase in use as a response to restrictions of prescribed opioid medications.
Heroin
Previously known by many names such as “shell shock”, “battle fatigue”, or “soldiers’ heart”, this condition is now considered to represent an acute reaction to traumatic events, affecting up to 9% of the US population annually and up to 23% of veteran in VA healthcare.
PTSD
This ______________ is the set measurement for a quantity of alcohol by strength, such as 12 oz of beer, 5 oz of wine, or 1.5 oz of 80% liquor.
Standard Drink
Originally sung by industrial metal group, Nine Inch Nails, and famously covered in 2002 by the legendary Johnny Cash, this monosyllabic song references the writer, Trent Reznors’, struggle with addiction.
Hurt - Nine Inch Nails/Johnny Cash
A stimulant, used in its basic form for 10,000 years in Mesoamerica, this drug became popular in both medicine, and in food and drink in the 1800’s, where it was used to treat morphine addiction (which was used to treat alcohol addiction). It became known as a white middle class drunk in the 80’s and featured heavily in media and stereotyped depictions of Mexican Cartels. Does not mix well with bears.
Cocaine
Manifesting most commonly in the late teens and early 20’s, this mental health condition, often misunderstood and stigmatized, frequently including symptoms such as auditory hallucinations (especially voices), delusions, and disorganized thinking and is more prevalent in men than women.
Schizophrenia
Factoring all things in, use these to protect the kids from substances and harm; you don’t want to risk the alternatives.
Protective Factors
“Is it my imagination, Or have I finally found something worth living for? I was looking for some action, but all I found was _______” First performed in 1994 by northern British pop group Oasis, this song references two addictive substances in its title.
Cigarettes & Alcohol - Oasis
An extremely popular state manufactured drug during WW2 (where up to 10 million tablets were produced annually), this Japanese created drug was used by militaries all over the world to keep combatants alert with little regard for their health. Being made an Schedule I drug in the US in 1971. Originally domestically produced in the West and Midwest, this drug now creates a national challenge.
Methamphetamine
A spectrum of conditions that affect up to 359 million people globally, making it one of the most common mental health disorders. Symptoms can include trouble concentrating, irritability, heart palpitations, and an impending sense of doom.
Anxiety
Recently expanded from 10 to 15 or more, this element of youth development can be used to indicate the risk of substance use in later life. If you’re a gambler, not having any might be a _______ in the hole.
ACES
Described as a “Motown-style winner with a banging beat” this 2006 song by a retro-styled female British singer who sadly left us in 2011 due to alcohol poisoning, references her struggles with addiction and her friends and families urging her to entering a drug rehabilitation program, to which she responded “no, no, no.”
Rehab - Amy Winehouse
A semi-synthetic drug derived from fungi, namely ergot, this drug is known for its extreme visual and auditory hallucinations lasting 7-12 hours. Becoming extremely popular in the 1960’s, especially in San Francisco and London, this drug became synonymous with Hippie Culture. Ironically, the relevant Beatles song is not connected.
LSD or Acid
Statistically, the most lethal of the recorded mental health disorders, this condition was previously, incorrectly, considered a “Western disease” primarily affecting middle class white women this condition is now understood to affect all demographics and includes a spectrum of disorders relating to the perception and consumption of food.
Eating Disorder