Session 4:  Day Six  Nicotine - believed to be one of  THE most addictive drugs in America.  THE number one drug from which people die in the United States.  More people die each year from a tobacco related illness than deaths from all other types of drugs combined.

Tried to make sure today that the boys understood that smokeless tobacco is as deadly as smoking tobacco. You won't get lung cancer from smokeless tobacco, but you can sure get mouth and throat cancer.  We looked at statistics today that say only 1 out of 10 teenage tobacco users will be able to permanently quit.  It  is so very important that they never start!!

Session 4:  Day Five We began our discussion on Methamphetamine.  It is considered one of the most, if not THE most dangerous drug at this time.  It's use  can have some of the most devastating physical effects of any drug.

What side effects does Meth have?  It may make you stay up for days, it makes your heart beat much faster, you lose your appetite and may not eat for days (lack of energy), and it is extremely addictive. And if you become addicted:  let's talk about rotten teeth, sores on your skin, malnutrition, and accelerated aging!

I encourage you to watch the "Above the Influence" commercials on the website for the Office of National Drug Control Policy with your son.  They are great conversation starters!!

Session 4:  Day Four  Today we reviewed how chemical messages are passed along by neurons and then began our discussion on Stimulants.  How many of you had a stimulant to get you going this morning?  A little coffee, tea, or chocolate?

The main Stimulant we discussed today was Cocaine and it's much stronger version Crack.  We talked about how the use of such a strong stimulant can rob your brain's ability to do it's normal functioning and can lead to the loss of normal pleasurable feelings.  Did you know that most Cocaine addicts did not start using Cocaine, but other drugs first.   It's normally the gateway drugs alcohol and tobacco.  It's there that drug use, then abuse, then addiction seems to start - how do we help them avoid letting it only be the beginning?  I pray that God will give you the wisdom and insight to help your child maneuver this slippery slope!

Session 4:  Day Three  Today we discussed the "pleasure circuit" in the brain and how chemicals are released into our body that makes us feel "happy" when we do something we enjoy - like riding our favorite ride at the Fair!  God designed our brain to naturally do this!  We then talked about how drugs use this pleasure circuit to act in the brain.  The dangerous part is that these chemicals can change how our brain naturally functions and can even cause our body to become addicted - feeling a need for this chemical.

An important point we tried to understand today was:  no one knows exactly what their personal chemical makeup is and therefore can not know exactly what drugs (chemicals) could cause changes in the brain that would lead to addiction.  Another important issue:  scientific studies have shown that persons with parents or grandparents that are alcoholic have a greater risk of becoming alcoholic themselves.  Just for fun - ask your son about the "switch" in his brain and if he knows what and when it might be "flipped"!

We spent much of the time talking about the drug marijuana.  Did you know that it doesn't fit very neatly into one of the major categories of drugs like - stimulants and depressants?  It acts differently on different people and may act differently each time it is used. The boys learned today that serious short-term memory loss can occur from marijuana use - so it's no good for studying for those tests!!

Session 4:  Day Two  We looked at how messages are sent by the brain through the nerve cells to all parts of the body.  These messages are sent by chemicals from one neuron to another and this happens amazingly fast.  Just do any "quickness" type of activity like raising your hand on a given cue and see how fast you can accomplish this.  Did you know that thousands of chemical messages had to be sent for that to occur, and you didn't even have to think about them!!  Tell me that we don't have a God with amazing creativity and order!

We then discussed how the various areas of the brain control certain functions.  Ask your son if Mrs. Faulkner scared him today!!  I demonstrated for them how the hormone adrenaline is secreted and activated in the brain to prepare us for "fight or flight".   If our brains are so complex and wonderfully made, we want to make sure the guys know that taking drugs can damage it.

Session 4: Day One  Began by exploring the drug education/testing policy at Trinity.  The boys have been given a copy of Trinity's drug testing policy which can be found on the Edline website under Upper School Handbook.  

I hope you will join us on our daily adventure!  I also hope you will find the information on the sidebar useful.  Watch for the Question of the Day!  Every day I try to share with you some of the questions or comments the students are asking.  Glad you're here!

Session 3:  Day 8  Moved on to Hallucinogens.  Learned what a "trip" was - yes, it's much like a dream, except you are not asleep!  Also learned what a "flashback" was and the extreme danger of these chemicals being stored in the brain and becoming active at any unexpected time.

After our discussion about hallucinogens, I had the opportunity to share with the guys that not many people try this type of drug, because it seems so extremely dangerous.  I really tried to drive home the point to them that people don't begin using such a serious type of drug.  When someone moves into such serious drug use, it's because they took the first drink, which led to the first time being "drunk", which led to . . .  Or took that first puff of a cigarette, which led to that first puff of marijuana, which led to . . .

Most people begin using drugs as recreation, not everyone moves from recreation to addiction.  BUT SOME DO.  It is my prayer, that no more of my students will suffer from addiction.  I also pray that the LORD will allow the spirits of these guys to be quick to follow Him so that He can provide the surest and most effective defense against drug addiction.

Please see the packet of brochures that your son should have brought home today.  We concluded  discussions on our final day with looking at what God's Word says concerning drug use.  May you and your son have many discussions in the future addressing this serious issue in the life of a young person.  Godspeed!

Session 3:  Day 7  Reviewed and reiterated information pertaining to the use of Tobacco.  Talked about second hand smoke and how some people have been diagnosed with diseases related to the second hand smoke that they have been exposed to for years.

We then began our discussion of Opiates.  You may have heard the term "Narcotics", they are basically the same.  This is a group of drugs made from the opium poppy plant.  They are EXTREME depressants.  The most common legal opiates are morphine and codeine.  The major illegal opiate used today is heroin.  Oh, and for the record, no, your future drug test will not come back negative because you ate poppy seed chicken.  Yes, it comes from the poppy plant, but no, it doesn't contain enough of the opiate to cause a "+" result on a common drug test.

Finally, STEROIDS, the drug that boys are much more interested in than girls.  An anabolic steroid is a chemical that resembles the male hormone testosterone.  It can cause an increase in muscle size, as we have all seen on television and in major sports.  However, it also causes emotional and physical consequences as well.   A loss of control of emotions and self-control is not uncommon with consistent steroid users.  It even has it's own name - "Roid Rage".  There are other physical consequences that include liver disease.  A buff body outside  makes for a diseased body inside when anabolic steroids are involved!

Session 3:  Day 6  Nicotine - believed to be one of  THE most addictive drugs in America.  THE number one drug from which people die in the United States.  More people die each year from a tobacco related illness than deaths from all other types of drugs combined.

Tried to make sure today that the boys understood that smokeless tobacco is as deadly as smoking tobacco. You won't get lung cancer from smokeless tobacco, but you can sure get mouth and throat cancer.  We looked at statistics today that say only 1 out of 10 teenage tobacco users will be able to permanently quit.  It  is so very important that they never start!!

Session 3: Day 5  We began our discussion on Methamphetamine.  It is considered one of the most, if not THE most dangerous drug at this time.  It's use  can have some of the most devastating physical effects of any drug.

What side effects does Meth have?  It may make you stay up for days, it makes your heart beat much faster, you lose your appetite and may not eat for days (lack of energy), and it is extremely addictive. And if you become addicted:  let's talk about rotten teeth, sores on your skin, malnutrition, and accelerated aging!

I encourage you to watch the "Above the Influence" commercials on the website for the Office of National Drug Control Policy with your son.  They are great conversation starters!!

Session 3:  Day 4  Today we reviewed how chemical messages are passed along by neurons and then began our discussion on Stimulants.  How many of you had a stimulant to get you going this morning?  A little coffee, tea, or chocolate?

The main Stimulant we discussed today was Cocaine and it's much stronger version Crack.  We talked about how the use of such a strong stimulant can rob your brain's ability to do it's normal functioning and can lead to the loss of normal pleasurable feelings.  Did you know that most Cocaine addicts did not start using Cocaine, but other drugs first.   It's normally the gateway drugs alcohol and tobacco.  It's there that drug use, then abuse, then addiction seems to start - how do we help them avoid letting it only be the beginning?  I pray that God will give you the wisdom and insight to help your child maneuver this slippery slope!

Session 3:  Day 3  Today we discussed the "pleasure circuit" in the brain and how chemicals are released into our body that makes us feel "happy" when we do something we enjoy - like riding our favorite ride at the Fair!  God designed our brain to naturally do this!  We then talked about how drugs use this pleasure circuit to act in the brain.  The dangerous part is that these chemicals can change how our brain naturally functions and can even cause our body to become addicted - feeling a need for this chemical.

An important point we tried to understand today was:  no one knows exactly what their personal chemical makeup is and therefore can not know exactly what drugs (chemicals) could cause changes in the brain that would lead to addiction.  Another important issue:  scientific studies have shown that persons with parents or grandparents that are alcoholic have a greater risk of becoming alcoholic themselves.  Just for fun - ask your son about the "switch" in his brain and if he knows what and when it might be "flipped"!

We spent much of the time talking about the drug marijuana.  Did you know that it doesn't fit very neatly into one of the major categories of drugs like - stimulants and depressants?  It acts differently on different people and may act differently each time it is used. The boys learned today that serious short-term memory loss can occur from marijuana use - so it's no good for studying for those tests!!

Session 3:  Day Two  We looked at how messages are sent by the brain through the nerve cells to all parts of the body.  These messages are sent by chemicals from one neuron to another and this happens amazingly fast.  Just do any "quickness" type of activity like raising your hand on a given cue and see how fast you can accomplish this.  Did you know that thousands of chemical messages had to be sent for that to occur, and you didn't even have to think about them!!  Tell me that we don't have a God with amazing creativity and order!

We then discussed how the various areas of the brain control certain functions.  Ask your son if Mrs. Faulkner startled him today!!  I demonstrated for them how the hormone adrenaline is secreted and activated in the brain to prepare us for "fight or flight".   If our brains are so complex and wonderfully made, we want to make sure the guys know that taking drugs can damage it.

Session 3: Day One  Began by exploring the drug education/testing policy at Trinity.  The boys have been given a copy of Trinity's drug testing policy which can be found on the Edline website under Upper School Handbook.  

I hope you will join us on our daily adventure!  I also hope you will find the information on the sidebar useful.  Watch for the Question of the Day!  Every day I try to share with you some of the questions the students are asking.  Glad you're here!

Session Two:  Last Day  We finished talking about Inhalants today.  So scary to think our kids might be experimenting with something that could immediately kill them by either their heart stopping or suffocating.

We finished the day with what the Bible says about drug use.  (1) Children obey your parents - Eph.  6:1; (2) Obey the authority God has put over you - like laws!  Hebrews 13:17;  (3)  Treat your body as God's temple - I Cor. 6: 19 - 20;  (4)  Do not become a "stumbling block" to others - Romans 14: 23.

Session Two:  Day Eight  Finished our discussion on opiates.  Moved on to Hallucinogens.  Learned what a "trip" was - yes, it's much like a dream, except you are not asleep!  Also learned what a "flashback" was and the extreme danger of these chemicals being stored in the brain and becoming active at any unexpected time.

After our discussion about hallucinogens, I had the opportunity to share with the girls that not many people try this type of drug, because it seems so extremely dangerous.  I really tried to drive home the point to them that people don't begin using such a serious type of drug.  When someone moves into such serious drug use, it's because they took the first drink, which led to the first time being "drunk", which led to . . .  Or took that first puff of a cigarette, which led to that first puff of marijuana, which led to . . .

Most people begin using drugs as recreation, not everyone moves from recreation to addiction.  BUT SOME DO.  It is my prayer, that no more of my students will suffer from addiction.  I also pray that the LORD will allow the spirits of the girls in this class to be quick to follow Him so that He can provide the surest and most effective defense against drug addiction.

Session Two:  Day Seven  Today we spent time reviewing the brochure on Marijuana.  We found out that Marijuana is not a drug that fits neatly into a major category: Stimulants, Depressants, or Narcotics.  It may act differently on each person.  It is the second leading reason for drug-related automobile accidents, second only to alcohol.

We then discussed Opiates (Narcotics).  These drugs are major depressants.  The most common opiates used for medical purposes include morphine and codeine.  These are highly addictive drugs that doctors are under legal requirements to monitor closely.  The most commonly abused illegal opiate is heroin.

Session Two:  Day Six  Today the girls watched videos on "How drugs affect the brain" and "How drugs affect other parts of the body".

Session Two: Day Five   We began our discussion on Methamphetamine.  It is considered one of the most, if not THE most dangerous drug at this time.  It's use  can have some of the most devastating physical effects of any drug.

Great Student Question today:  "If Methamphetamine has such serious side effects when you use it the first time, why would someone want to try it again?"  What side effects?  It may make you stay up for days, it makes your heart beat much faster, you lose your appetite and may not eat for days (lack of energy), and it is extremely addictive. And if you become addicted:  let's talk about rotten teeth, sores on your skin, malnutrition, and accelerated aging!

I encourage you to watch the "Above the Influence" commercials on the website for the Office of National Drug Control Policy with your daughter.  They are great conversation starters!!

Session Two:  Day Four  Today we reviewed how chemical messages are passed along by neurons and then began our discussion on Stimulants.  How many of you had a stimulant to get you going this morning?  A little coffee, tea, or chocolate?

The main Stimulant we discussed today was Cocaine and it's much stronger version Crack.  We again learned how the use of such a strong stimulant can rob your brain's ability to do it's normal functioning and can lead to the loss of normal pleasurable feelings.  I told the girls that most Cocaine addicts did not start using Cocaine, but other drugs first.  I asked them with what drug did they think the addicts began.  After several wrong answers, finally  - the gateway drugs alcohol and tobacco.  There seems to be the beginning - how do we help them avoid letting it only be the beginning?  I pray that God will give you the wisdom and insight to help your child maneuver this slippery slope!

Session Two:  Day Three  Today we discussed the "pleasure circuit" in the brain and how chemicals are released into our body that makes us feel "happy" when we do something we enjoy - like riding our favorite ride at the Fair!  God designed our brain to naturally do this!  We then talked about how drugs use this pleasure circuit to act in the brain.  The dangerous part is that these chemicals can change how our brain naturally functions and can even cause our body to become addicted - feeling a need for this chemical.

An important point we tried to understand today was:  no one knows exactly what their personal chemical makeup is and therefore can not know exactly what drugs (chemicals) could cause changes in the brain that would lead to addiction.  Another important issue:  scientific studies have shown that persons with parents or grandparents that are alcoholic have a greater risk of becoming alcoholic themselves.  Just for fun - ask your daughter about the "switch" in her brain and if she knows what and when it might be "flipped"!

Session 2:  Day Two  We looked at how messages are sent by the brain through the nerve cells to all parts of the body.  These messages are sent by chemicals from one neuron to another and this happens amazingly fast.  Just do any "quickness" type of activity like raising your hand on a given cue and see how fast you can accomplish this.  Did you know that thousands of chemical messages had to be sent for that to occur, and you didn't even have to think about them!!  Tell me that we don't have a God with amazing creativity and order!

We then discussed how the various areas of the brain control certain functions.  Ask your daughter if Mrs. Faulkner scared her today!!  I demonstrated for them how the hormone adrenaline is secreted and activated in the brain to prepare us for "fight or flight".   If our brains are so complex and wonderfully made, we want to make sure the girls know that taking drugs can damage it.

Session 2: Day One  Began by exploring the drug education/testing policy at Trinity.  The girls have been given a copy of Trinity's drug testing policy which can be found on the Edline website under Upper School Handbook.  

I hope you will join us on our daily adventure!  I also hope you will find the information on the sidebar useful.  Watch for the Question of the Day!  Every day I try to share with you some of the questions the students are asking.  Glad you're here!

Day Nine:  We won the door decorating prize!!  The girls are so excited!!

Today we looked at the "Faces of Meth" and saw pictures of people that have become addicted and how quickly it causes serious physical changes.  Once again, the girls just couldn't understand how people would want to do these drugs knowing what it might do to them.  This afforded me an opportunity to have conversation concerning how these Meth users didn't start with a "hard" drug like Meth, they probably all started in middle school or high school with the first beer or cigarette- the "gateway" drugs.

I was able to say to them that as they get older that they would find more temptation for drugs as they gained more and more independence from their parents and that "when" they might first be offered a drug, statistics say that it will be by a friend.  I encouraged them to take to heart and to remember the facts that they have been learning about the dangers of drug use.

I am so fortunate to be able to be in a school such as Trinity where I was able to pray this for them from Jeremiah 31: 33.  "Father, may you put your truth in their minds and write it on their hearts so that they may make wise decisions as they grow older.  May you be their God and they be your people."  May our God shelter and protect them from the harms of drug use!

Day Eight:  Finished our information on Stimulants.  In this brochure, it mostly discussed Cocaine and Crack.  Did you know that Crack is just a more pure form of Cocaine?  See if your daughter knows the slang term for Crack.  We then began our discussion on Methamphetamine.  It is considered one of the most, if not THE most dangerous drug at this time.  It's use  can have some of the most devastating physical effects of any drug.

Great Student Question today:  "If Methamphetamine has such serious side effects when you use it the first time, why would someone want to try it again?"  What side effects?  It may make you stay up for days, it makes your heart beat much faster, you lose your appetite and may not eat for days (lack of energy), and it is extremely addictive. And if you become addicted:  let's talk about rotten teeth, sores on your skin, malnutrition, and accelerated aging!

I encourage you to watch the "Above the Influence" commercials on the website for the Office of National Drug Control Policy with your daughter.  They are great conversation starters!!

Day Seven:  Reviewed the way drugs act on the body.  Then we finished our discussion on Nicotine and began our discussion on Stimulants.

Great Student Comment of the Day:  "I was looking online about Cigarettes and saw a blog  concerning it. I was surprised by how defensive people that smoke are about their habit.  One young girl was asking for advice about how to hide the fact that she had started smoking from her parents.  That's horrible!"

I am so glad that our kids think that way now!  Please parents, use every opportunity you have to talk with your children about the dangers of drug use and addiction.  I would like to think our drug education program is the most effective tool to influence our students to abstain from drug use.  The reality is:  it is not.  It is you, as parents, that will make the greatest difference in the life of your child.  Now while they are still "somewhat" impressionable we can give them the truth regarding substance abuse.  But not long from now when they "get their wheels" and more freedom the temptation to try drugs will exponentially multiply.  I encourage you to go ahead now and develop a "drug free" plan for your older teen.

Day Six:  Worked on Homecoming Door.  Will "catch up" tomorrow!

Day Five:  Finished our discussion on marijuana.  Began talking about another drug that can be smoked - tobacco.  Fast facts:  *Many researchers now believe that tobacco is the MOST addictive drug.  *25% of the adult population are tobacco users.  *Tobacco is the #1 drug from which Americans die.  Death from disease related to tobacco use is greater in the U.S. than death from all other drug use combined.  *Only 1 in 10 adults that began smoking as teenagers will be successful in becoming totally tobacco free.

Great student question of the day:  "If tobacco commercials are banned by our government, why aren't alcohol commercials?"  Good Question.

Day Four: Discussed how nerve cells pass on information to other nerve cells by the release of chemicals into the area called the synapse.  Because nerves pass information by chemicals, the ingestion of "drugs" can hinder this process.

So, drugs interfere with the normal function of nerve cells and from yesterday we learned that eventually those cells will lose their ability to function normally even when drugs are not present.  Double Whammy!

We began going over the brochure on marijuana and found out who Sara Bellum is.  Great student question today:  "If I saw someone smoking marijuana, should I call the police?"  This would be a great opportunity for parents to talk to their children about how they would want them to handle uncomfortable and unsafe situations.

Day Three:  Discussed how the brain uses chemicals to do it's "work" of sending and receiving messages.  Also,  how every person's chemical makeup might be different - some people have allergies that other's do not have.  No one knows for sure how different drugs might ultimately affect them.

Why do people do drugs?  Drugs cause pleasure releasing chemicals to be released in the brain.  We discussed how putting  drugs/chemicals into the body/brain may eventually make the normal function of the brain cells cease.  How our brains might be forever altered because of the drug use.

We also discussed how that even though some things may seem like "fun" we recognize there is a great risk that might be associated with that activity.  Like - the new "base jumpers" that jump off very high mountains in "flying squirrel suits" and fly down the cliff edges until they eventually release their parachute.  Sounds like that would be a great "rush" but, not sure I want to risk slamming into the side of a mountain!!

Day Two:  Short class period today for College Day.  We began discussing the effects of drugs on the brain.  Great Question from a student:  If drugs "mess up" your brain, then why do people do them?  We will discuss this much more tomorrow!

Day One:  Introduction to Drug Education
                  Trinity Drug Policy

By Board approval, Trinity begins drug education in the 6th grade.  Our drug testing policy may be found on the Edline website under "Upper School Handbook" - drug testing does not begin until 9th grade.


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