True or False: Alcohol is the most commonly used substance among U.S. teens.
False
Can you get addicted to marijauna?
What deadly synthetic opioid is responsible for the majority of teen pill‑related overdoses today?
Fentanyl
True or False: Teens become addicted faster than adults because their reward pathways are more sensitive.
True
What organ is primarily responsible for breaking down alcohol?
The liver
What percent have THC levels in Marijuana risen?
over 10% - from 4% to 15+%
What percentage of counterfeit pills tested by the DEA contain a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl?
60%
What part of the brain is still developing until about age 25, making teens more vulnerable to addiction?
The prefrontal cortex
What dangerous behavior is most strongly linked to teen alcohol use?
Drinking and driving / riding with a drunk driver
Heavy marijuana use during adolescence is associated with increased risk of what mental health condition?
Anxiety, depression, and psychosis‑like symptoms
Why are test strips not 100% accurate?
They can miss “hot spots,” don’t detect all analogs, and only test a tiny portion of the pill
What part of the brain responsible for memory is physically smaller in teens who use substances heavily?
The hippocampus
True or False: Alcohol poisoning can't happen after someone stops drinking.
False— alcohol continues absorbing into the bloodstream for 30–90 minute after
True or False: Marijuana smoke contains many of the same toxins and carcinogens as tobacco smoke.
True
How many young people (ages 15–24) die each year from drug overdoses in the U.S.?
Over 5,000 annually
What long‑term effect can repeated substance use have on the brain’s reward system?
Reduced natural dopamine production
What long‑term risk increases significantly when alcohol use begins before age 15?
4× higher risk of developing alcohol dependence later in life
What is the name of the condition where chronic marijuana use causes repeated vomiting, nausea, and abdominal pain?
Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS)
Counterfeit pills containing fentanyl can cause what immediate brain effect even before full overdose occurs?
Rapid CNS shutdown, leading to unconsciousness within seconds.
What physical effect can substances have on the brain’s white matter?
Damage to white matter, reducing communication between brain regions