Beyond Alcohol – The Challenges of Supervising the Drug-Impaired Driver
By: Mark Stodola, Impaired Driving Consultant
In three separate studies in which individuals were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, subsequent drug tests indicated that approximately 40% of this population also had drugs in addition to alcohol in their system. In 2016, 43.6% of the drivers with known drug test results in fatality crashes were drug-positive and 50.5% of those drivers were positive for two or more drugs. [Learn More]
If you enjoyed the above blog written by Mark Stodola, check out his previously recorded webinar on "The Challenges of Supervising the Drug-Impaired Driver."
COVID And Drug Trends: The Past, Current and Possible Future Relationship!
Officer Jermaine Galloway, better known as "The Tall Cop," is an ongoing featured contributor to the Averhealth Digest on drug trends —providing you with highlights of street drug trends your clients may be using. If you are testing for the same drugs day after day, you are probably missing the drugs being used! Learn how to stay current on the most recent drug trends and how your drug testing program plays an integral role in your clients' recovery process. This month, Officer Galloway discusses how drug culture has changed during COVID.
A year after everything shut down, due to the virus, most of us moved to virtual positions. And many of you, working in prevention, education, treatment, or maybe even the enforcement world may have been wondering what has been going on during the pandemic. As a national trainer, I went from being in 2 to 3 states a week to 2 to 3 states a month…. with that being said my webinars significantly increased from 5 total (in about 10 years) to almost 200 in one year! Even with these changes, I was still able to get into various retail stores and conduct community scans in several states.
What changes did I see in retail stores (that promote the drug culture)?
During one of my scans in Texas, I walked into a vape shop (that was really more of a drug culture head shop) and near the nicotine vapes, I noticed many empty areas on the shelves. I asked about the vapes for “concentrates,” a term for cannabis vapes, and the clerk replied, “We are sold out.” I asked him his opinion, and he said, “I think people are sitting at home and have nothing better to do.” This was not uncommon. I noticed, while scanning in other states, it was very clear that vape inventory, especially concentrate vapes, was down. I believe the decrease was due to the decline in the production of vapes and the increased demand. During COVID “free time” we have been seeing an increase in popularity of concentrates and there is a pretty good run on some of these products.
Another change I am seeing in retail stores, (that may be associated with some of the drug changes we are seeing in various states) is emerging drug paraphernalia, associated with other products. For example, seeing a glass pipe in a neighborhood gas station might be nothing new to some communities, but the volume of what is out there, along with the various products (meth pipes etc.) in conjunction with the open marketing of these products is a trend that seems to be escalating.
Why are we not hearing about drug use increasing?
Do you remember in early 2020, we were in an opioid epidemic? What happened to that? I have not seen a lot of coverage in the news, social media or even conversation in the mainstream media. The quick answer…COVID happened! The focus of the media, and for many of us, was on COVID. I obviously understand why this happened, as COVID changed day-to-day activities for everyone, but the opioid epidemic (along with the popularity of amphetamines, benzos and cannabis) has continued to steadily increase in popularity. Unfortunately, some may get a false sense of security (out of sight, out of mind) due to the fact that we don’t hear about the opioid epidemic in the mainstream media. As I explain in my classes, drug use doesn’t slow down due to a pandemic. And in reality, some of the drug prevention professionals, drug testing professionals, and others may have been reassigned due to COVID, or are working from home and not even in the office. Again, I obviously understand the reasons why, but these changes make it more difficult for those working in drug prevention.
As we move forward, and our communities begin to open up, it will be important to keep up communication with our clients, monitor new and evolving products that are hitting the retail market, and pay close attention to products that have become popular among drug seeking individuals.
Trainer Info
Tall Cop Says Stop is a national & international trainer who has trained over 500,000 people. Learn more: www.tallcopsaysstop.com
Upcoming Conferences
Averhealth will be at the following state conferences!
April 14-15
(Virtual Conference)
Arizona Problem Solving Courts Conference
April 21-23
(Virtual Conference)
Industry News
Younger Age of First Cannabis Use or Prescription Drug Misuse Is Associated With Faster Development of Substance Use Disorders
A new study shows that in the time after first trying cannabis or first misusing prescription drugs, the percentages of young people who develop the corresponding substance use disorder are higher among adolescents (ages 12-17) than young adults (ages 18-25). In addition, 30% of young adults develop a heroin use disorder and 25% develop a methamphetamine use disorder a year after first using heroin or methamphetamine. These findings, published in JAMA Pediatrics, emphasize the vulnerability of young people to developing substance use disorders. [Learn More]
SAMHSA Boosts State Aid in Mental Health, Substance Abuse
The White House has provided $2.5 billion in grant block funding to states and territories through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to address the mental illness and addiction crises that have worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. [Learn More]
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