Red Ribbon WeekRed Ribbon Week

A CCAT intern production…2013A CCAT intern production…2013

Facts and Myths Facts and Myths About Drugs…About Drugs…

What do you know?What do you know?

Alcohol is a Alcohol is a stimulant.stimulant.

True or False?True or False?

FALSE! FALSE!

Alcohol is a central nervous system Alcohol is a central nervous system depressantdepressant. Alcohol depresses the . Alcohol depresses the

brain and brain and impairs decision impairs decision makingmaking skills, coordination, motor skills, coordination, motor

functioning, and other body functioning, and other body functions.functions.

Alcohol is an effective Alcohol is an effective way to help me relax way to help me relax and reduce my stress and reduce my stress

level.level.

True or false?True or false?

FALSE!FALSE!

Alcohol Alcohol increases the level of increases the level of stressstress in your body. Adrenaline in your body. Adrenaline

levels increase, and while at first it levels increase, and while at first it may feel relaxing, your body is may feel relaxing, your body is actually under additional stress.actually under additional stress.

““I cannot become I cannot become addicted to addicted to marijuana.”marijuana.”

Is this a true Is this a true statement?statement?

Marijuana is mainly composed of THC, Marijuana is mainly composed of THC, which stimulates the brain. This is which stimulates the brain. This is

responsible for the “high” responsible for the “high” experience, the main reason people experience, the main reason people continue to use marijuana, leading continue to use marijuana, leading

to an to an addictionaddiction..

FALSE!FALSE!

““I’m a student athlete, but I’m a student athlete, but smoking on the weekend, smoking on the weekend,

won’t affect my school won’t affect my school performance or my athletic performance or my athletic

performance.”performance.”

Is this true?Is this true?

FALSE!FALSE!Short term Effects?Short term Effects? Slows the process of learning and retaining Slows the process of learning and retaining

new informationnew information Affects the part of the brain responsible for Affects the part of the brain responsible for

timing, movement, and coordinationtiming, movement, and coordination

Long Term Effects?Long Term Effects? Light users can test positive in a drug test for Light users can test positive in a drug test for

one week. Heavy users will still have marijuana one week. Heavy users will still have marijuana in their system for up to one month after their in their system for up to one month after their last use.last use.

The IQ of students who regularly smoke The IQ of students who regularly smoke decreases by up to 7 points.decreases by up to 7 points.

Benefits of leading an Benefits of leading an alcohol and drug free life:alcohol and drug free life:

Now?Now? Higher academic achievement Higher academic achievement Successful involvement in extra curricular Successful involvement in extra curricular

activities, such as sportsactivities, such as sports Creating healthy habits and being a Creating healthy habits and being a

positive influence positive influence In the future?In the future?

It is extremely difficult to attain a job with It is extremely difficult to attain a job with a DUI or drug history.a DUI or drug history.

Maintaining a healthier lifestyle!Maintaining a healthier lifestyle!

Now that you are aware of a Now that you are aware of a few facts, make educated few facts, make educated decisions when it comes to decisions when it comes to maximizing your future by maximizing your future by

avoiding becoming involved avoiding becoming involved in drugs!in drugs!

Resources:Resources:

http://headsup.scholastic.com/articles/marijuana-facts

http://www.preventionpartners.com/stuff_ex/stressometer.cfm

http://www.sadd.org/campaign/ribbon.htm

http://www.livescience.com/24558-marijuana-effects.html

http://mitalk.umich.edu/article/107http://mitalk.umich.edu/article/107

http://www.uwstout.edu/counsel/aod/myths_facts.cfmhttp://www.uwstout.edu/counsel/aod/myths_facts.cfm

Compiled through the effort of Camden Community Alliance and Resources, CCAT intern program 2013