Substance Use

Alcohol

100

Alcohol is a drug

true, a drug is any substance, other than food, that is taken to change the way the body or mind functions. Drugs can occur naturally or can be produced in a lab

200

Alcohol is a depressant

true, Alcohol depresses the brain centers that control behavior

300

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.

400

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.

500

Only people who drink everyday can become alcoholics.

False, anyone who drinks can become an alcoholic.

Marijuana

100

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 to stop.

200

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, therefor we know the dancers of smoking.

300

most grade seven students in Alberta have tried marijuana.

False, 96.5% of Alberta grade sevens reported to not trying marijuana. (source: The Alberta Youth Experience Survey 2008)

400

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.

500

Marijuana is not addictive

False, it can be addictive. Psychologically addictive and a mild physical addiction.

Tobacco

100

smoking causes 80%-90% of all lung cancer.

True, researchers estimate that 80% to 90% of all lung cancer is smoking-related. (source: Tobacco Basics Handbook)

200

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)

300

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)

400

There are more smokers than non-smokers.

False, Almost 80%of individuals over the age of 15 do not smoke. (source: Tobacco Basic Handbook)

500

Tobacco contains 4000 different chemicals.

True, fifty of these chemicals are cancer-causing agents called carcinogens.

Gambling

100

playing pool with your 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."

200

Some features in a gambling device canhelp contribute to a persons problem.

True, for example the most powerful and long-lasting learning pattern occurs when a behaviour is reinforced intermittently and unpredictably. Pattern of intermittent winning may lead to irrational beliefs about gambling and winning. Slot machines and VLTs pay out on an intermittent reinforcement schedule.

300

Government revenue from gambling in Alberta is over $1 billion annually.

True, in 2004/2005 Alberta government revenue from VLTs, ticket lotteries, casino slot machines and electronic bingo was over $1.2 billion.

400

Computers keep track of every game played on licensed VLTs.

True, if there is a complaint by a customer, the computer centre can print out each selection made by the player for the entire game.

500

When a flipped coin comes up as heads four times in a row, the next flip will more likely come up as tails than heads.

False, there is no relationship between pervious outcomes and the next flip of the coin. the coin is just as likely to come up as 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.

Risk and Protective Factors

100

Protective factors decreases 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

200

risk factors increase kids' chances of harmful involvement with substance use and 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 connections.

300

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 school academic expectations are critical factors In preventing substance use and gambling problems.

400

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 pain through substance use or gambling.

500

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 its okay to talk honestly about feelings or to feel sad, confused and vulnerable at times. adults can show they care by listening and understanding.