Alcohol and Drug Misuse
Alcohol is the most commonly used drug among students in grades 9 to 12. Cannabis (marijuana) is the second most common.
Alcohol and cannabis use increases greatly with each grade.
Reactions Vary
Trying Something for the First Time Could Kill You
Every person is different. Just because a friend or someone you know has tried a drug and been ok after does not mean your body will react the same way.
There are many factors that affect the way you react to a substance:
- Gender, Age, Weight / Body type
- Race / Ethnicity
- Medical history
- Amount of food you have eaten
- How the drug is taken (e.g. inhaled or injected) or how fast you drink the alcohol
Health Risks
All drugs and alcohol pose risks to your health. Some consequences include:
- Mental confusion
- Headaches
- Short term memory loss
- Intense paranoia
- Cancer / Disease
- Coma
- Death
How to Say NO
Make up an excuse that requires you to leave the situation:
- Example: I have a doctor’s appointment, I have to go to work, I’m going to my grandparents’ house for their birthday
Make up an excuse that will prevent you from being peer pressured:
- Example: I'm allergic, I don't like what's being offered, I have to take blood tests today
Chances are that after you deny it once or twice, it will stop being offered to you
Misusing Prescription Drugs
Drug |
Examples |
Dangerous Because... |
Opioid Pain Medication |
- Oxycontin
- Percocet
- Vicodin
- Darvon
- T3
|
- Highly addictive
- Over time, tolerance develops resulting in the need to take more and more to get the same feeling/effect
- If too much is taken (overdose), breathing slows down and could eventually stop
- Can be deadly in combination with other medications, drugs or alcohol
|
Stimulants |
- Ritalin
- Concerta
- Adderall
- Focalin
|
- Can be addictive
- Can cause insomnia, digestive problems, erratic weight change
- Overdose may lead to heart attack
- Muscle damage (rhabdomyolysis)
- Can be deadly in combination with other medications, drugs or alcohol
|
Tranquilizers |
- Valium
- Xanax
- Ativan
- Lunesta
- Numbutal
|
- Can be addictive
- When use is reduced or stopped seizures may follow
- Can be deadly in combination with other medications, drugs or alcohol
|
Cough/ Cold Medication (Over the Counter) |
- Tylenol
- Coricidin
- TheraFlu
- Robitussin
|
- Can be addictive
- Liver damage
- Increased heart rate
- Seizures and coma
- Vomiting
- Irregular heartbeat
- Can be deadly in combination with other medications, drugs or alcohol
|