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!
The latest surveys
indicate that less than
three-quarters of young
Canadians ages 15 to 24
(70.8%) said they had
consumed alcohol.
>
Consumption has decreased compared
to the 82.9% rate observed in 2004.
STATEMENT 2
All alcohol you consume has an
effect on your brain and body.
True or false?
TRUE!
>
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
>
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
STATEMENT 3
Sometimes decisions made
under the influence of alcohol
cause unpleasant and serious
consequences.
True or false?
TRUE!
When alcohol disrupts our
brain, our judgment may
become clouded.
You could :
– 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)
TRUE!
(cont’d)
– Drive under the influence of alcohol:
When alcohol disrupts
our brain, our judgment
may become clouded.
• 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
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!
Consuming a large
quantity of alcohol
in a short period of
time can have serious
consequences.
>
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.
STATEMENT 5
The number of young people
ages 15 to 24 consuming drugs
has decreased in recent years.
True or false?
TRUE!
According to survey data,
marijuana consumption in
young people ages 15 to 24
has dropped from 37% in
2004 to 21.6% in 2011.
>
Consumption of drugs other than
alcohol and marijuana has decreased
from 11.3% in 2004 to 4.8% 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!
(cont’d)
>
Drugs like marijuana affect
both the brain and the
body.
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!
Marijuana possession
is illegal, regardless of
quantity or your age.
> 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.
STATEMENT 8
Marijuana smoke is not as harmful
as cigarette smoke.
True or false?
FALSE!
> A marijuana joint produces 50% more
Smoking marijuana leads
to consequences on the
respiratory system.
> Because marijuana smoke is often inhaled
tar than a brand-name cigarette
of equal weight.
deeply, it may cause as many pulmonary
problems as 4 to 10 cigarettes.
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!
Like alcohol and marijuana,
synthetic drugs can impair
the faculties needed for
safe driving.
>
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.
STATEMENT 11
Taking synthetic drugs produces
only pleasurable effects.
True or false?
FALSE!
These drugs can also
produce unpleasant
psychological effects
such as
•
•
•
•
•
Anxiety
Hallucinations
Irritability
Panic attacks
Mood change
>
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.
STATEMENT 12
Whatever their form, color, or origin,
it’s impossible to know exactly what
synthetic drugs contain.
True or false?
TRUE!
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
>
This means there may be:
– No effect
– A partial or full effect
– An extremely strong, dangerous,
and even toxic effect
STATEMENT 13
Gambling, unlike drug and alcohol
use, does not involve any risk.
True or false?
FALSE!
Playing the lottery, video
lottery terminals, and card
games with friends can all
become issues when they
create more problems than
pleasure.
>
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
STATEMENT 14
There's so much more to life
than drugs and alcohol.
True or false?
TRUE!
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.
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!
REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
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What are your areas of interest?
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What activities are you involved in?
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What personal and social skills and competencies
can you develop by participating in your activity?