Alcohol & MarijuanaAlcohol & MarijuanaShanghai American School – Pudong

Grade Eight Health 2008-09

What’s the big deal?Why do teens drink alcohol?

Why Youth Say They DrinkWhy Youth Say They DrinkAlcohol is a drug that is produced by a

chemical reaction in fruits, vegetables and grains.

41% say to have a good time 30% say to celebrate28% say they drink to get drunk24% say to feel good 21% say to de-stress/relax

(Source: The Century Council, TRU, Omnibuzz February 2003)

Other factorsOther factors

“Parents, peers and the media, also affect a teen’s decision to drink alcohol, there is reason to believe

that advertising also plays a role.“

(Federal Trade Commission, Self-Regulation in the Alcohol Industry, 1999)

From music videos, movies and advertising, there is an From music videos, movies and advertising, there is an image out there that makes drinking alcohol seem not image out there that makes drinking alcohol seem not only acceptable, but an “easy” way to be part of the only acceptable, but an “easy” way to be part of the

“in” crowd. “in” crowd.

Alcohol Advertising and YouthAlcohol Advertising and Youth Alcohol advertisers spent $2 billion on alcohol advertising

in measured media (television, radio, print, outdoor, major newspapers and Sunday supplements) in 2005

The alcohol industry's total expenditures to promote alcohol (including through sponsorship, Internet advertising, point-of-sale materials, product placement, brand-logoed items and other means) was $6 billion or more on advertising and promotion in 2005.

According to a 2004 study of 200 films, rated G to NC-17, and 1,000 songs, entertainers were depicted doing drugs, drinking or smoking in 98 percent of the top movie rentals and 27 percent of the most popular songs in 1996 and 1997.

(Office of National Drug Control Policy and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)

Who’s Drinking Alcohol?Who’s Drinking Alcohol?

Every day in the United States, over 5,000 kids under age 16 have their first full drink of alcohol.

More youth in the United States drink alcohol than smoke tobacco or marijuana, making it the drug most used by American young people.

The average age at which young people, ages 12 to 17, begin to drink is 13 years old.

Gender Comparison

In 2006, more male than female 12- to 20-year olds reported current alcohol consumption (29% v. 27%, respectively), binge drinking (21% v. 17%) and heavy drinking (8% v. 4%). 

Among 12- to 17-year olds, the percentage of females who report drinking in the past month (17%) remains slightly higher, although not significantly, than their male peers (16%). 

(Source:  SAMHSA, 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2007)

What About 8th Graders?

Factors Influencing the Factors Influencing the Effects of AlcoholEffects of Alcohol

Body Size

Gender

Time frame

Amount

Food

Medicine

Alcohol content of different drinksAlcohol content of different drinks40% (alcohol by volume) = 12% = 5%40% (alcohol by volume) = 12% = 5%

How much is too much?How much is too much?

Alcohol Screening Test

How Alcohol Affects Your Brain • Affects thought processes, leading to potentially poor judgment

• Depresses inhibition, leading one to become more talkative and more confident.

• Blunts the senses and increases the threshold for pain.

• Memory loss

• May have exaggerated states of emotion

• Muscle movements become uncoordinated

Will start to feel sleepy

Increased consumption can lead to unconscious

Can be fatal if consumption is excessive

Link to: The Effects of Alcohol on Link to: The Effects of Alcohol on the Bodythe Body

Interactive Body Website

Video Summary on AlcoholVideo Summary on Alcohol

Teens and Drinking Movie Clip on

http://teachers.saschina.org/kpoulin

Photo Creditshttp://www.talktofrank.com/uploadedImages/Drugs/LARGE%20PHOTOS_ALCOHOL.jpg

http://www.acc-tv.com/images/globalnews/hmed_marijuana_1106.jpg

http://uk.gizmodo.com/teen-drinking.jpghttp://www.robertsee.com/Music/Portfolio/InSession/pageTimeFrame/timeFrameClock.gifhttp://www.health.com/.../media/medical/hw/alcohol.jpg

Research CreditsTeen Health, Course 3http://www.frankwbaker.com/alcoholfilms.htmhttp://www.centurycouncil.org/learn-the-factshttp://www.camy.org/factsheets/index.php?

FactsheetID=5http://www.bloodalcohol.info/how-alcohol-affects-

the-brain.phphttp://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/

CollegeStudents/anatomy/InteractiveBody_flash.aspx

http://www.drugfree.org/Portal/Drug_Guide/Alcohol http://www.alcoholscreening.org/