Alcohol
- Alcohol is among the most used drug by underage youth(Link is external) and adults(Link is external) and can harm your health.
- Excessive drinking is the highest preventable cause of death(Link is external) in Oregon, after tobacco use and obesity. Excessive drinking includes binge drinking, heavy drinking, and drinking by pregnant women or people younger than 21.
- One in five(Link is external) Oregonians reports drinking excessively.
- Oregon ranks fourth in the country(Link is external) for having the most people reporting an alcohol use disorder in the past year.
- Rethink the Drink(Link is external) (Link opens in new window) is an Oregon Health Authority initiative to decrease excessive drinking and the harm it causes individuals, families and communities.
Resources for parents to prevent underage alcohol use
“Talk. They Hear You”(Link is external) is an underage drinking prevention national media campaign to empower parents and caregivers to talk with children early about alcohol and other drug use.
Partnership to End Addiction(Link is external) has evidence-based tools and resources for parents and caregivers to help prevent underage drinking. A Spanish language version(Link is external) of the site is available.
Alcohol’s Effects on Health(Link is external) will help you learn more about alcohol’s effect on the brain and body and what an alcohol use disorder is.
Cannabis
Cannabis or marijuana refers to the dried leaves, flowers, stems and seeds from the Cannabis sativa or Cannabis indica plant that contains the mind-altering chemical THC. Marijuana use can have a wide range of health effects, including substance use disorder. The amount of THC in cannabis has been increasing steadily in recent decades, which can result in more harmful outcomes for some people.
- Cannabis is the second most reported substance used by youth(Link is external) in Washington County and in Oregon.
- Twenty percent(Link is external) of Washington County adults currently use marijuana.
- Oregon ranks second in the country(Link is external) for having the most people reporting marijuana use in the past year. In August 2019, the U.S. Surgeon General(Link is external) issued an advisory on marijuana use and the developing brain as well the risks of using marijuana during pregnancy.
Resources for parents to prevent underage cannabis use
As a parent or caregiver, your voice matters in the conversation about cannabis. Visit TalkWithThem.info(Link is external) (Link opens in new window) to find information and resources. The Spanish language version of the site is available at HablaConEllos.info(Link is external) (Link opens in new window).
Safe storage and usage
Cannabis, like many other drugs, can be dangerous for children If your child eats or drinks cannabis products call the Poison Center Hotline as soon as possible at 1-800-222-1222. It can also affect a person's reaction time and ability to think clearly.
- Cannabis can make children very sick.
- Using cannabis while taking care of a baby isn’t safe.
- Using cannabis affects your ability to drive, bike or operate machinery.
- If you choose an edible cannabis product, especially for the first time, make sure you:
- Are in a place you know you will be safe.
- Have someone with you who is not using cannabis or other drugs.
- Start with a single serving size.
- Give yourself time to react to the THC.
- Do not drive.
Alcohol and cannabis treatment and support
If you or someone you care about needs help with their alcohol or cannabis use, talk with a doctor or health provider. Don’t tackle this alone. Look here for free, confidential help now:
- Washington County Behavioral Health – Addiction Services or 503-846-4528
- Lines for Life Alcohol and Drug Help Line(Link is external) or 1-800-923-4357
- Oregon Health Authority Substance Use Disorder Directory(Link is external)
If your child is struggling with drug or alcohol use, here are some resources that can help:
- Oregon Youth Line (text or call): 1-877-968-8491
- Text teen2teen at 839863
- Al-Anon/Ala-teen: www.al-anon.org(Link is external) or 1-800-344-2666
Washington County Alcohol and Drug Prevention Program
This program focuses on enhancing community strategies that prevent substance use and misuse by reducing risk factors and increasing protective factors associated with alcohol, cannabis and other drugs.
We can help in the following ways:
- Share resources, information and data.
- Assist with program development as well as communication and education planning
- Identify and review grants.
- Develop systems to support early identification of substance misuse.
- Training on data, SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral to Treatment) approaches, evidence-based or best practices, and policy.
For more information or to request technical assistance, please contact lyndi_petty@washingtoncountyor.gov.