Who am I?
A presentation for elementary and middle school - grade
5 and 6.
Courtesy of Impact DWI
Which is the most complex thing in the Universe? Could it
be a Black Hole in Space? The ring around Saturn? A
Space Shuttle? A Super Computer?
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The most complicated and mysterious thing in the universe is
an organ that resemble a jellylike mass of fat and protein
weighing about 3 pounds (1.4 kilograms). It is one of the body's
biggest organs, consisting of some 100 billion nerve cells.
It floats in a liquid solution surrounded by a fine weave
composed by several delicate veins that resembles the
formation of a spider web. It has a gelatin consistency when
touched.
It is so smooth that one can easily push a finger in this
consistency.
It is your Brain
Photo is a courtesy of 3D Science.com
Your Brain in Action
You are your Brain...
It is your imagination, thoughts, memories, and
your dreams.
Your Brain makes you into Who You Are!
Your brain controls several functions that you are not
even aware of.
Emotions
Movement
Learning and Memory
Thoughts
Vision
Balance and
Coordination
Speech
Hearing
Heart rate and
Blood Pressure
Why do we need our Brains?
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The brain is responsible for everything that you are
able to do. It is the boss of your body.
Each part of your body conducts an action solely
supported by the brain.
Such as your senses - seeing, hearing, smelling,
touching and tasting food. All of these provides the
brain with information.
The brain receives information, makes a decision
and sends messages to the rest of the body.
The Brain and its Connections.
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The brain's nerve cells are known
as neurons, which make up the
organ's so-called "gray matter."
The neurons transmit and gather
electrochemical signals that are
communicated via a network of
millions of nerve fibers called
dendrites and axons.
These are the brain's "white
matter."
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Neurons are similar to other cells
in the human body in a number of
ways, but there is one key
difference between neurons and
other cells. Neurons are
specialized to transmit
information throughout the body.
These highly specialized nerve
cells are responsible for
communicating information in
both chemical and electrical
forms.
Alcohol and Drugs Damages an
Adolescent’s Developing Brain
Alcohol and Drugs have a great
impact on Brain Development
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Young people who begin drinking before the age of 15, are five
times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than those
who wait until they are 21.
Since an adolescent’s brain is still developing, teens who drink
heavily are more likely to significantly lower their mental
abilities than adults who drink heavily.
Research shows that a teen’s brain is more easily damaged
than an adult’s brain in the areas that regulate the storage of
memories.
Exposure to substances that inhibit cell growth can have a
devastating effect on the developing brain.
Alcohol and other Drugs limits the Brain’s ability to form new
pathways and connections that are essential to learning and
memory.
Age 12
During adolescence, the brain is
undergoing a lot of changes. Gray
matter diminishes as neural
connections are pruned.
Age 16
Because the Brain is still developing,
it is more sensitive to alcohol and
drugs.
Age 20
The Changes that alcohol and drugs
causes are more likely to stick and
become hardwired as addiction by
adulthood.
These brain images show how alcohol may harm
teen mental function.
15 year old
non drinker
15 year old
heavy drinker
Both were given the same memory task.
The image on the right shows poor brain activity – indicated by the lack of pink
and red coloring.
Reference: SUSAN TAPERT, PHD, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA.
Peer Pressure
Peer pressure is the feeling of being influenced to do
something you wouldn’t usually do because your peers
are doing it.
What can you do about it?
Reachout.com
Peer pressure can be a major factor influencing
your decision to use drugs and drink alcohol.
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30% of teens are offered drugs in high school and middle
school. (Adolescent Substance Abuse Knowledge Base)
3.1 million American teens smoke. (American Lung Association)
25% of teens have been involved in at least one episode of
binge drinking. (The Center for Disease Control and Prevention)
The Kaiser Foundation states that nearly 50% of adolescents
between the ages of 12 - 18 feel pressured into having sex in
relationships.
Say “no”. Having the courage to say “no” can be
tough, but, it can also feel great to stick with what
you believe in.
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Value common interests. Try and hang out with people who do
like doing similar stuff to you. It sounds obvious, but you’re
less likely to feel pressured to do things you don’t want to.
Say no. If you’re finding it hard to work up the guts to say no to
something, you should know that sticking up for what you
believe in feels really good. If you can explain to people in a
calm way why something‘s not for you, more often than not,
you’ll gain their respect.
Try not to judge others. Respecting someone else’s choice may
help them respect yours. People don’t have to agree on
everything, and understanding that’s ok will mean both parties
are likely to be less defensive about their choices.
Reachout.com
Simple tips on
how to say NO
Always speak with confidence! Any signs of weakness and the
person pressuring will continue until they have won the battle!
Smoking is NOT my
thing.
Leave quickly.
“Got to run some
errands for my
parents, want to
help?”
I don’t feel like it,
do you have any
soda?
No thanks, I
don’t drink.
“I really don’t like
the taste of it”
This makes me feel
uncomfortable."
Girls health.com
Classroom Activity.
Practice Resistance Skills.
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The majority of teens are NOT
using Drugs or Alcohol.
They are engaged in activities
that makes them happy.
Drinking and Driving is a Risky Business
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In 2011, 9,878 people died in drunk driving crashes - one every
53 minutes .
Almost every 90 seconds, a person is injured in a drunk driving
crash.
Over 1.2 million drivers were arrested in 2011 for driving under
the influence of alcohol or drugs.
An average drunk driver has driven drunk 80 times before first
arrest.
On average, one in three people will be involved in a drunk
driving crash in their lifetime.
MADD - NHTSA
How can You stop a friend or a family member
from Drunk or Drugged Driving?
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To stop to a friend or family member from driving
under the influence of the alcohol or drugs can be
one of the most important decisions you will ever
make. But to convince an impaired person is not
always easy as it sounds.
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Find the keys while he or
she is distracted and take
them away.
Be as non-confrontational as
possible.
Explain that you don’t want
them to drive because you
care and you don’t want
them to hurt themselves or
others.
Ask someone you trust for
help.
If you are a child and have no choice but to ride in a
car with a driver who is impaired…
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Sit in the back seat.
Buckle-up tight and use your booster seat, if needed.
Put all of your belongings on the floor.
Do not bother the driver and stay quiet.
Tell a trusted grown-up immediately about any
unsafe ride.
MADD
Questions?
For more information on Drugs and Alcohol, visit our site at:
www.pedaforteens.org
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