TRUE OR FALSE?Activity for groups ages 17 to 24

Drug awareness week

STATEMENT 1

The number of young people ages 15 to 24 consuming alcohol increases every year.

True or false?

FALSE! > Consumption has decreased compared to the 82.9% rate observed in 2004.

The latest surveys indicate that less than three-quarters of young Canadians ages 15 to 24 (70.8%) said they had consumed alcohol.

STATEMENT 2

All alcohol you consume has an effect on your brain and body.

True or false?

TRUE! > A progressive effect

First: – You may feel relaxed– You're a little more talkative– You feel less inhibited– You may become more emotional

or excited

> Drinking more means more consequences!

When you drink more: – Your judgment is even less sound– Your reaction time slows down– Your vision is blurred– You lose your balance and stagger– Your speech is less coherent– You may become angry or depressed – You may have trouble thinking straight

Alcohol is a psychoactive substance!

Alcohol:• AFFECTS brain

function• MODIFIES

communication between nerve cells

• DISTORTS your judgment and the perception of risk

• IMPAIRS your behavior• REDUCES your

physical coordination

STATEMENT 3

Sometimes decisions made under the influence of alcohol cause unpleasant and serious consequences.

True or false?

TRUE! – Make decisions you would not have made if you had not consumed.

– Say hurtful things to people, especially to those you love.

– Pick a fight (even with a friend).– Post images or comments on social

media that will be harmful to you when seen by your loved ones, potential employers, etc.

– Decide there is no risking riding in a car with someone who has also consumed.

– Have unprotected sex you may not want and contract a sexually transmitted infection or face an unplanned pregnancy.

(continued on next page)

When alcohol disrupts our brain, our judgment may become clouded.

You could :

(cont’d)

– Drive under the influence of alcohol:• Risk arrest = lose your driver’s licence,

get fined, and have a criminal record = impacts on your employment opportunities and/or ability to get around, impacts on your family and friends

• Risk having an accident and injuring yourself or someone else

• Risk of you or someone else losing their life

TRUE!

When alcohol disrupts our brain, our judgment may become clouded.

STATEMENT 4

Consuming a large quantity of alcohol in a short period of time, commonly called “drinking games” or “binge drinking,” can lead to serious consequences or even death.

True or false?

TRUE! > Consequences: – Repetitive vomiting– Difficulty breathing

– Excessive perspiration

– Loss of consciousness and even death

***A person who has consumed a large quantity of alcohol must never be left alone.

Consuming a large quantity of alcohol in a short period of time can have serious consequences.

STATEMENT 5

The number of young people ages 15 to 24 consuming drugs has decreased in recent years.

True or false?

TRUE! > Consumption of drugs other than alcohol and marijuana has decreased from 11.3% in 2004 to 4.8% in 2011.

According to survey data, marijuana consumption in young people ages 15 to 24 has dropped from 37% in 2004 to 21.6% in 2011.

STATEMENT 6

Like all abused drugs, marijuana is also a psychoactive substance that affects the brain and body. It alters communication between nerve cells and distorts the senses.

True or false?

TRUE!

Drugs like marijuana affect both the brain and the body.

> Psychological effects of marijuana:

– Feeling of well-being, calm, and relaxation

– Tendency to talk more than usual– Spontaneous urge to laugh– Distorted senses, altered perception

of time and space and sensory perception (colors look brighter, sounds are more intense)

– Decrease in concentration and short-term memory

– Altered judgment

In some young people:• Triggers hallucinations

and psychotic symptoms• Modifies self-perception

and generates a lot of anxiety

(continued on next page)

TRUE!

Drugs like marijuana affect both the brain and the body.

(cont’d)

> Physical effects of marijuana:

– Rapid heart rate– Poor physical coordination

and balance– Increased appetite– Dry mouth and throat – Swelling of the blood vessels

(red eyes)– Drowsiness

STATEMENT 7

It is illegal to possess marijuana, regardless of quantity or your age.

True or false?

TRUE! > Possession of marijuana may lead to legal action such as– Arrest– A fine or heavier sentence (community

service, detention imposed by law, prison, criminal record)

Having a criminal record can limit your travel outside Canada and block access to certain jobs. The record remains open for five years and even after that period, the information can still be accessed.

Marijuana possession is illegal, regardless of quantity or your age.

STATEMENT 8

Marijuana smoke is not as harmful as cigarette smoke.

True or false?

FALSE! > A marijuana joint produces 50% more tar than a brand-name cigarette of equal weight.

> Because marijuana smoke is often inhaled deeply, it may cause as many pulmonary problems as 4 to 10 cigarettes.

Smoking marijuana leads to consequences on the respiratory system.

STATEMENT 9

Over the long term, excessive and regular marijuana use can lead to decreased motivation and interest, as well as memory and concentration difficulties.

True or false?

TRUE! > Excessive and repeated marijuana use can lead to psychological dependence and cause individuals to rely solely on using to meet their needs (feel pleasure, reduce anxiety, escape reality, etc.).

> Marijuana use in young adults is associated with increased anxiety and depression.

> Quebec researchers have recently discovered that marijuana use in young people is a good predictor of speeding. This study also indicates that marijuana use foreshadows risk taking on the road, including reckless speeding and aggressive driving.

And that's not all!

STATEMENT 10

Synthetic drugs such as amphetamines, methamphetamine, ecstasy, GHB, and ketamine don't interfere with driving.

True or false?

FALSE! > Taking synthetic drugs can:

– Diminish motor control – Reduce driver attention– Increase reaction time

*Driving a vehicle while impaired by drugs is a Criminal Code violation.

*The police are able to detect drug use with coordination tests, among other things. The driver is brought in to the police station for further testing if there are any doubts.

Like alcohol and marijuana, synthetic drugs can impair the faculties needed for safe driving.

STATEMENT 11

Taking synthetic drugs produces only pleasurable effects.

True or false?

FALSE! > Sometimes taking these drugs can make you feel paranoid or produce psychotic states (confusion, disorientation, delirium, and hallucinations).

In addition, fatigue, depression, and anxiety can set in as the effects of these drugs wear off and may persist in some people.

These drugs can also produce unpleasant psychological effects such as

• Anxiety • Hallucinations • Irritability• Panic attacks• Mood change

STATEMENT 12

Whatever their form, color, or origin, it’s impossible to know exactly what synthetic drugs contain.

True or false?

TRUE! > This means there may be:

– No effect– A partial or full effect– An extremely strong, dangerous,

and even toxic effect

When you buy synthetic drugs from a dealer, the dose could contain

• The substance desired in its pure state

• The substance mixed with other products

• A substance other than the one you want

STATEMENT 13

Gambling, unlike drug and alcohol use, does not involve any risk.

True or false?

FALSE! > Gambling can lead to various problems. Here are some signs:

– Constantly thinking about gambling– The need to gamble ever increasing

sums of money to achieve a desired level of excitement

– Making repeated, unsuccessful efforts to manage, reduce, or stop gambling

– Feeling restless or irritable when attempting to cut down on or stop gambling

– Gambling to escape problems or relieve stress or discomfort

– Trying to recoup your losses– Lying to your family and friends

to conceal the extent of your gambling

Playing the lottery, video lottery terminals, and card games with friends can all become issues when they create more problems than pleasure.

STATEMENT 14

There's so much more to life than drugs and alcohol.

True or false?

TRUE! In addition, getting involved in your favorite activities is highly stimulating and, without even realizing it, you develop skills and competencies that serve you the rest of your life.

For example:

– You learn to assert yourself and respect others.– You learn to better manage your stress and

emotions.– You improve your physical or intellectual skills.– You learn to set goals and not give up despite

the obstacles.– You build your self-esteem.– You develop critical thinking skills, which help

you make good decisions.– You learn team spirit and cooperation.– You learn to excel.– You learn to handle criticism.

All this AT ANY AGE!

To keep you away from the risks and consequences associated with drug and alcohol use, there is nothing like getting involved in activities that match your interests.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

> What are your areas of interest?

> What activities are you involved in?

> What personal and social skills and competencies can you develop by participating in your activity?