Show 35: Drugs These Days

Whether it’s something like “Spice” you can get over the counter, pills swiped from the bathroom cabinet, today’s marijuana or another substance – let’s face it – the Drugs These Days are different than when adults were growing up. Ever heard of “bath salts”? They’re not what you think…

IN-STUDIO GUESTS: On today's program we’ll learn what’s out there today, talk about how parents and caregivers can keep an eye out for drug use and find out what efforts are being made statewide to address contemporary problems. Joining host Shana Sheehy in the studio are Rick Pawlak, an Alaska State Trooper in the narcotics division – he knows what’s out there and how it gets into the hands of youth; Tech Sergeant Jennifer Theulen, a prevention educator from the Alaska National Guard’s Drug Demand Reduction (DDR) tells us what works and what doesn’t when it comes to stopping kids before they start; and Tad Sumner, the clinical director of Volunteers of America's ARCH residential program for addicted teens walks us through recovery.

Did you know? Each day, approximately, 2,500 teens use prescription drugs to get high for the first time according to the Partnership for a Drug Free America. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet. Prevent this by locking your meds while in use, and then properly disposing of unneeded or expired prescription drugs.

FEATURED STORIES:

• Is marijuana use "normal"? - The idea that marijuana is not as bad as other "harder" drugs has been circulating for years, and with modern marijuana more potent than in previous generations, this idea is even more harmful today - but this message is not getting out. As marijuana becomes legalized in certain areas, dispensed to treat a host of medical issues, and permeates modern movies, music and online - kids are increasingly conditioned to believe that using pot is "normal". The Anchorage Youth Development Coalition, a group of over 60 youth-serving organizations, is in the planning stages of a new campaign that will address these social norms surrounding pot use by youth and teens. Youth Development Specialist Thomas Azzarella spoke with producer, Sarah Gonzales, about how this campaign is coming together.

• How teenagers really feel about using drugs. - Teenage reporter Aviva Hirsch returns with another excellent and candid collection of high school voices. This time they tell us what their parents have told them about using drugs, if they've ever used, if they ever would and which drugs are circulating in their world.

• The strength is on the flipside! - So, 19% of Anchorage teens have used pot in the last 30 days according to the most recent results of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey administered in 2009. Well, a couple local teens flipped all those numbers, and presented the "Strength-Based" version which you can read here. That's right, 81% of Anchorage teens haven't used pot recently. Contributor Jessica Cochran brings us the story.