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!