Drug Awareness - Staying Safe & Making Smart Choices PDF

💭 If I were to educate my friends about the dangers of drug and alcohol use, I would tell them… 💡 Drug awareness is understanding the risks of using drugs 💡 Important for students to learn about drug safety 💡 Knowledge helps make informed decisions 💡 This presentation covers common dr...

💭 If I were to educate my friends about the dangers of drug and alcohol use, I would tell them… 💡 Drug awareness is understanding the risks of using drugs 💡 Important for students to learn about drug safety 💡 Knowledge helps make informed decisions 💡 This presentation covers common drugs, their dangers, and how to say no 💡 Drugs: Substances that change how your body and mind work 💡 Can be legal (like medicine) or illegal 💡 Some are very dangerous, especially for young people 💡 We'll focus on drugs that are often misused or abused 💡 Drugs interfere with the way the brain sends and processes signals 💡 Mental health issues (depression, anxiety, psychosis) 💡 Addiction and dependence 💡 Poor performance in school 💡 A drink that is legal for adults, but illegal for those under the age of 21 💡 Effects: Slurred speech, poor coordination, impaired judgment 💡 Risks: Accidents, poor decision-making, affects brain development, alcohol poisoning, liver damage 💡 Long-term use can lead to addiction and health problems 💡 Teens often binge drink, meaning they drink a lot of alcohol in a short time for the purpose of getting drunk 💡 Legal consequences for underage drinking include: ○ Fines, Community Service, Mandatory Alcohol Awareness Program, Mandatory Alcohol Education, Suspension of Driver’s License, Probation, Jail Time 💡 Contains nicotine, a highly addictive substance 💡 Forms: Cigarettes, e-cigarettes (vaping), chewing tobacco 💡 Risks: Lung cancer, heart disease, breathing problems 💡 Secondhand smoke is also harmful to others around you 💡 Nicotine is the harmful substance in cigarettes & e-cigarettes 💡 It is highly addictive 💡 Harms brain development in teens 💡 Toxic to fetuses 💡 Causes heart issues 💡 Increases risk of kidney disease 💡 Inhalation of a substance with an e-cigarette or vape pen 💡 Vaping is more prevalent with teens than traditional smoking 💡 Reasons teens begin vaping: ○ Peer pressure/Social Influence, Advertising, Appealing flavors, Misconceptions about dangers - (think it’s safe) 💡 Addiction to nicotine or other substances 💡 Can cause lung damage 💡 Exposure to cancer-causing chemicals 💡 Lung inflammation/irritation 💡 Permanent scarring of lungs 💡 Pneumonia or other lung-related illnesses 💡 Also called weed, pot, or cannabis 💡 Can be smoked or eaten in edibles 💡 Effects: Altered senses, mood changes, impaired memory 💡 Risks: Lung damage, mental health issues, addiction 💡 Medicine prescribed by doctors for specific health issues 💡 Dangerous when used without a prescription or incorrectly ○ Some prescription drugs are addictive & taking them improperly can lead to prevent health complications or even death due to taking it improperly 💡 Examples of Prescription Drugs people might abuse include: Pain relievers, ADHD medication, anxiety medication 💡 Risks: Overdose, addiction, dangerous drug interactions 💡 Risks: addiction, dangerous drug interactions, mood or behavior changes, difficulty with thinking clearly, breathing issues, Overdose could lead to coma or death 💡 Misconceptions: Prescription drugs are safer than illegal drugs, You can take as much of a prescription drug as you want, Doctors don’t prescribe medications that are addictive 💡 Proper Disposal: Turn it in at a drug take-back location (you can find locations online) 💡 Physical health problems (heart, lungs, liver damage) 💡 Mental health issues (depression, anxiety, psychosis) 💡 Addiction and dependence 💡 Poor performance in school 💡 Legal trouble and damaged relationships 💡 Peer pressure or wanting to fit in 💡 Curiosity or experimentation 💡 Coping with stress or emotional problems 💡 Misunderstanding the risks involved 💡 Family history or environment 💡 Peer Pressure is when your behavior is influenced by the people you hang around with 💡 Direct pressure: Being asked or dared to try drugs 💡 Indirect pressure: Feeling left out if you don't participate 💡 Internal pressure: Wanting to fit in or seem "cool" 💡 Remember: True friends won't pressure you to do harmful things 💡 Signs that someone might be experiencing peer pressure might include: ○ Behavior changes ○ Attitude changes ○ Appearance changes ○ Activity changes ○ Academic performance changes 💡 Strategies for saying no to unhealthy activities when you experience peer pressure 💡 Protects you from dangerous behaviors 💡 Allows you to participate in activities you enjoy 💡 Allows you to build confidence and to be your own person 💡 Be confident and firm in your refusal 💡 Use "I" statements: "I don't want to" or "I'm not interested" 💡 Suggest alternative activities 💡 Have an exit plan to leave uncomfortable situations 💡 Seek help from trusted adults if needed 💡 Knowing how you would say no ahead of time AND practicing will help you to be ready when you find yourself in a situation where you need to say no 💡 Imagine: A friend offers you a cigarette at a party 💡 What are some possible responses you could give? ○ "No thanks, I don't smoke." ○ "I'm not into that. Want to play a game instead?" ○ "I have to go now. See you later!" ○ “My parents would kill me if I got caught, so no thanks.” 💡 Engage in sports or physical activities 💡 Develop hobbies and interests 💡 Spend time with positive friends and family 💡 Learn stress management techniques 💡 Set goals for your future 💡 Talk to trusted adults: Parents, teachers, school counselors 💡 National helplines: ○ SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) ○ National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) 💡 School resources: Guidance office, health classes 💡 Remember: Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness 💡 You have the power to make healthy decisions 💡 Saying no to drugs protects your health and future 💡 Build a support network of friends and trusted adults 💡 Remember: Your life is valuable and worth protecting 💡 Make choices that align with your goals and values 💡 What do you think are the biggest challenges teens face when it comes to tobacco, drug, or alcohol abuse? 💡 How does your friend group play a role in whether or not you get involved with drugs or alcohol? 💡 What are some future plans you want to accomplish that motivate you to want to avoid drug or alcohol use?