Party Smart Pioneers

• Short-term effects can include slurred speech, reduced inhibitions, motor impairment, confusion, drowsiness, emotional changes, sleep disruption, memory problems, concentration problems, reduced reaction time, decreased breathing and heart functions
• Long-term effects can include disruption of brain development, brain cell death, liver damage/cirrhosis of the liver, stomach and intestinal ulcers, increases in blood pressure, and other complications

SERVING SIZES

The specific amount of alcohol in a standard drink can vary depending on the type of beverage and its alcohol content. 

https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health

ALCOHOL POISONING AND ACTIVE BYSTANDER INFORMATION

Know the signs of alcohol poisoning and call 911 if someone is displaying any of them. Symptoms include:

• Mental confusion
• Unresponsive
• Loss of consciousness
• Gasping for air
• Throwing up while unconscious
• Hypothermia
• Erratic breathing
• Paleness/blueness of the skin.

Steps to take when helping someone who is displaying alcohol poisoning

1. Set them into Recovery Position
2. Call 911
3. Stay with them until medical emergencies arrives
4. Be ready to provide details to authorities

• Short-term effects can include slowed thinking and reaction time; confusion; emotional distress; increased heart rate; impaired balance; impaired learning and memory; and lack of coordination
• Long-term effects can include cough; respiratory infections; impaired learning and memory; increased heart rate; anxiety; panic attacks; and sleep difficulties

MYTHS AND FACTS

LEGAL DISCLAIMER

Local Law

Proposed legal sanctions for local alcohol and other drug violations are decided by the court and filing district or city attorney. Sanctions may include fines, community service, incarceration, and more. A searchable municipal code library is provided by American Legal Publishing.

California Law

California laws regarding use, sale, and distribution of alcohol and other drugs by individuals or businesses are organized into code types (e.g. Business and Professions; Health and Safety; and Vehicle Codes. Direct links to some of these laws, which are enforced by the CSUN Department of Police Services, are provided below. The full text of these state laws and their associated penalties can be found in the code search section of the California Legislative Information website.

Federal Law

The Drugs of Abuse, A DEA Resource Guide 2022 Edition, found on the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration website provides information on the Controlled Substances Act including drug scheduling, drug classes, penalties, and resources. The following tables provide some of the penalties for controlled substance related violations.

SHORT AND LONG TERM EFFECTS

• Short-term effects include overall diminished health such as susceptibility to acute illnesses and respiratory symptoms, compromised immune system, addiction, and respiratory symptoms(coughing, phlegm, wheezing).
• Long-term effects include smoking-caused diseases such as coronary heart disease, cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD.

MYTHS AND FACTS

https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/e-cigarettes/health-effects

• Short-term effects can include increased heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, and body temperature; decreased appetite; shakiness; cramping; anxiety; irregular heartbeat; panic attacks; irritability; paranoia; seizures; strokes
  • When injected, there is an increased risk of infection (HIV and hepatitis)
  • Many methamphetamine users experience skin wounds - "crank sores" (picking at imaginary bugs crawling on skin leads to scabs and infections)
• Long-term effects can include reduced appetite, tremors, loss of coordination, delirium, panic, paranoia, insomnia, hostility, brain damage, liver damage, chest pain, respiratory failure, nausea, seizures, and strokes

PRESCRIPTION MISUSE

Common side effects of prescription stimulants when taken at therapeutic doses may include: decreased appetite, weight loss, headache, insomnia, dizziness, and nervousness. More severe side effects include seizures, cardiac events (e.g., heart attacks), and sudden death, though these are rarely reported.

Individuals who  misuse prescription stimulants may also experience other short- and long-term health effects. Using prescription stimulants non-orally and/or in combination with other substances, as is typically done for recreational purposes, is more likely to cause adverse health effects than when taken orally. Non-oral use also increases the risk of developing a stimulant use disorder.

https://library.samhsa.gov

• Short-term effects can include shallow breathing, drowsiness, nausea, constipation, headache, vomiting, flushing of skin, difficulty urinating, anxiety, and other mood changes
  • Risks increase when taken in a way or dose other than prescribed.
• Long-term effects can include tolerance; muscle breakdown; kidney failure; cardiovascular problems; increased heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature; and depression
  • Long-term usage from injection can cause cardiovascular damage, scarred/collapsed veins, risks of infections (HIV, hepatitis, etc.)

OPIOID MISUSE

Anyone who takes prescription opioids can develop opioid use disorder. You may also develop tolerance—meaning that over time you might need higher doses to relieve your pain, putting you at higher risk for a potentially fatal overdose. You can also develop physical dependence—meaning you have withdrawal symptoms when the medication is stopped. 

TIPS:

• Never take prescription opioids in greater amounts or more often than prescribed.
• Avoid taking opioids with alcohol and other substances or medications. It is very dangerous to combine opioids with other drugs, especially those that cause drowsiness.
• Do not share or sell your prescription opioids.
• Store prescription opioids in a secure place, out of reach of others (including children, family, friends, and visitors).
• Dispose of unused prescription opioids at the end of your treatment. Find your community drug take-back program or your pharmacy mail-back program, or flush them down the toilet following guidance from the Drug Disposal: FDA's Flush List for Certain Medicines | FDA.

https://www.cdc.gov/overdose-prevention

FENTANLY DANGERS

Fentanyl comes in two forms: pharmaceutical fentanyl, which is medically prescribed, and illegally made fentanyl, which is linked to most recent overdose cases. The illicit version is often mixed with other drugs due to its extreme potency, making them stronger, cheaper, and more addictive—but also much more dangerous.

TESTING INFORMATION

Synthetic opioids like fentanyl are responsible for nearly 70% of overdose deaths. Even tiny amounts can be lethal, and the number of overdoses—both fatal and nonfatal—continues to rise. Fentanyl is nearly undetectable by sight, taste, or smell, so you wouldn't know if it's in the drugs you're using unless you test them with fentanyl test strips. These strips are inexpensive and can provide results in about 5 minutes, potentially saving lives. However, they may not detect even stronger variants, like carfentanil, so caution is still necessary. 

Student Health and Counseling Services - Pharmacy

NALOXONE INFORMATION

Naloxone is a medication that can rapidly reverse opioid overdoses, including those caused by heroin, prescription painkillers, and fentanyl. It works by binding to the same receptors in the brain that opioids attach to, reversing the life-threatening effects of the overdose, such as respiratory depression.

Naloxone is available as an injectable or a nasal spray (Narcan), and can be administered by anyone, even without medical training, in emergency situations. It’s critical to call 911 immediately after using naloxone, as the effects may wear off before the person fully recovers, requiring additional doses.  Learn how to administer naloxone.

What is Naloxone?

What to do if you think someone is overdosing

• Short-term effects can include visual illusions; hallucinations; altered perception of one’s own body; increased blood pressure and heart rate; anxiety and/or panic symptoms; fear of going insane; suicidal/homicidal ideation
• Long-term effects can include flashbacks; changes in brain chemistry; depression; other mood shifts; symptoms of schizophrenia (Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder), though psychotic symptoms can occur following minimal use as well