Alcohol
Alcohol is a drug
True. A drug is any substance, other than food, that is taken to change the way the body or the mind functions. Drugs can occur naturally or can be produced in a lab.
Smoking cannabis interferes with your sense of time and distance.
True. Judging distance and passage of time is difficult under the influence of cannabis. People who drive after using cannabis can misjudge the speed at which they are driving, and the amount of time required for braking.
Smoking causes 80% - 90% of all lung cancers
True. Researchers estimate that 80% to 90% of all lung cancer is smoking-related.
Playing pool with friends for money isn’t really gambling.
False. This is gambling. Gambling is defined as “the act of risking money, property or something of value on an activity with an uncertain outcome”
Protective factors decrease kids’ chances of harmful involvement with substance use or gambling.
True. Other examples of protective factors are developing good social skills, participating in productive activities, feeling connected to school and having friends who positively influence decision-making.
Alcohol is a depressant.
True. Alcohol depresses the brain centres that control behaviour.
Smoking cannabis is less harmful than smoking cigarettes.
False. Similar to tobacco, smoking cannabis can damage your lungs. Second-hand cannabis smoke can be just as harmful as tobacco.
Tobacco smoke contains tar.
True. Tar consists of solid particles from cigarette smoke. It interferes with the normal exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the lungs, and contributes to shortness of breath.
Some features in gambling devices can contribute to the development of a problem.
True. For example, the most powerful and long-lasting learning pattern occurs when a behaviour is reinforced intermittently and unpredictably. Patterns of intermittent winning may lead to irrational beliefs about gambling and winning. Slot machines and VLTs pay out on an intermittent reinforcement schedule.
Risk factors increase kids’ chances of harmful involvement with substance use or gambling.
True. Other examples of risk factors are early involvement with alcohol, tobacco, other drugs or gambling, a history of use problems in the family, family conflict and poor school connection.
When a person stops drinking suddenly after drinking heavily, they can get sick.
True. Physical dependence occurs when the body gets used to having alcohol in the system. Withdrawal symptoms (sickness) may happen if drinking is suddenly stopped.
The majority of Alberta youth in grades 7-9 have tried cannabis.
False. Over 90% of Alberta students in grade 7-9 have never tried cannabis.
Electronic smoking products (sometimes called vaping) are a safe alternative to smoking cigarettes.
False. Using electronic smoking products can lead to nicotine addiction, lung problems and risk of injury from battery malfunction. The long term health effects of using electronic smoking products are unknown.
Some video games designed for youth contain elements that are similar to gambling.
True. Some video games are designed to be similar to casino games, motivating players to continue playing by offering frequent rewards and the chance to gamble using virtual or real money, or the acquiring of skills.
Schools can make a valuable difference in preventing substance use and gambling problems.
True. Research shows that participation in extracurricular activities, positive relationships between youth and adults in the school setting, and high social and academic expectations are critical factors in preventing substance use and gambling problems.
If you drink only beer, you wont develop a drinking problem.
False. The form of alcohol makes no difference. The effect of the pure alcohol contained in all alcoholic beverages is the same.
Cannabis can affect your attention, judgment, decision making and ability to learn.
True. Taking anything that changes the way you think, act and feel could have consequences on major life areas. This could include poor performance in school or dropping out of things you enjoy.
Most Alberta Students in grade 7-12 have tried smoking cigarettes.
False. 80% of students in grade 7-12 have never tried a cigarette.
Computers keep track of every game played on licensed VLTs.
True. If there is accomplaint by a customer, the computer centre can print out each selection made by the player for the entire game.
Young people may turn to substance use or gambling when they cannot express their feelings in a healthy way.
True. As people grow older, bottled up feelings will continue to cause pain. Some people try to relieve the pain through substance use or gambling.
Only people who drink every day can become dependent on alcohol.
False. Anyone who drinks can become dependent on alcohol.
Cannabis is not addictive.
False. It can be. Regular use of cannabis at an early age increases your risk of becoming dependent on it.
Tobacco smoke contain approximately 7000 chemicals.
True. Nearly 70 of these chemical are cancer-causing agents called carcinogens.
When a flipped coin comes up heads four times in a row, the next flip will more likely come up tails than heads.
False. There is no relationship between previous outcomes and the next flip of the coin. The coin is just as likely to come up heads as it is to come up tails (50-50 chance). People who gamble often feel they have some control over the outcome, even when they don’t.
It is helpful for an adult to tell a youth how to replace feelings of sadness with feelings of happiness.
False. A young person needs to know that it is okay to talk honestly about feelings or to feel sad, confused and vulnerable at times. Adults can show they care by listening and understanding.