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 marijuana interferes with your sense of time and distance.
TRUE. Judging distance and passage of time is difficult under the influence of marijuana. People under the influence frequently 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% - 90% of all lung cancer is smoking-related (Source: Tobacco Basics Handbook).
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 becoming harmfully involved with substance use or gambling.
TRUE. 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 centers that control behavior
Marijuana is grown naturally therefore it is less harmful than cigarettes.
FALSE. An average cigarette has over 4000 chemicals in it; most of those same chemicals are present in marijuana. Marijuana is not regulated at all and therefore we can never be sure of what we are getting. Cigarettes are tested and have warning labels, therefore we know the dangers of smoking.
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 (Source: AADAC Quick Facts).
Some features in gambling devices can help contribute to a person’s 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 substances or gambling.
TRUE. Other examples of risk factors are early involvement with alcohol, tobacco, other drugs or gambling, a history of substance abuse 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.
Most grade seven students have tried Marijuana.
FALSE. According to The Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey (OSDUHS) done by CAMH (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health), less than 1% of Grade 7 students have admitted to trying marijuana.
Smoking light cigarettes decreases your risk of heart disease compared with smoking regular cigarettes.
FALSE. Some evidence indicates that light cigarettes contain more tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide than manufacturers claim. Smoking light cigarettes is unlikely to reduce the risk of heart disease. (Source: Tobacco Basic Handbook)
Government revenue from gambling in Ontario is over $1 billion annually
TRUE. In 2023/2024 the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) reported revenue at approximately 6.74 billion dollars.
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 won’t 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.
Short-term memory loss, laziness and feeling tired all the time are side effects of using marijuana.
TRUE. Mood swings, poor concentration and lung damage are also side effects as well.
There are more smokers than non-smokers.
FALSE. Almost 80% of individuals over the age of 15 do not smoke. (Source: Tobacco Basics Handbook)
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). Gamblers often feel they have some control over the outcome, even when they don’t.
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 alcoholics.
FALSE. Anyone who drinks can become alcoholic.
Marijuana is not addictive.
FALSE. It can be. Psychologically addictive and a mild physical addiction.
Tobacco smoke contains 4000 different chemicals.
TRUE. Fifty of these chemicals are caner-causing agents called carcinogens.
If I keep gambling, my luck will change and I’ll win back the money I’ve lost.
FALSE. Each time you place a bet, the outcome is completely independent of the previous one. That means that the odds are no more in your favour on the tenth bet than they were on the first bet. Over time, the more you risk, the more you lose.
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.