Drug Facts
THESE TWO ARE THE MOST COMMONLY USED PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCES IN CANADA
Alcohol and Cannabis
WHAT ARE THE 3 SIGNS OF AN OVERDOSE?
Breathing: slowed/no breaths, gurgling/unusual sound, choking.
Consciousness: can't stay awake, won't wake up or respond, body is limp.
Physical: Cold, clammy skin, blue lips or nails, pinpoint pupils.
CHRONIC USE OF THIS SUBSTANCE CAN INVOLVE SERIOUS WITHDRAWAL INCLUDING TREMORS, SEIZURES, DISORIENTATION, NAUSEA, AND VOMITING.
Alcohol
NAME ONE RESOURCE IN YOUR COMMUNITY FOR ANYONE NEEDING SUPPORT WITH MENTAL HEALTH OR SUBSTANCE USE
INTERIOR HEALTH MHSU, BGC, DENISIQI, THREE CORNERS, (*FOUNDRY COMING SOON), CYMH, CMHA
*SEE WILLIAMS LAKE COMMUNITY RESOURCE PAMPHLET
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- If someone passes out, try to wake them
- If they do respond, do not leave them alone and do not let them sleep it off.
- If they do not respond, check for pulse/breathing. Lay them on their side, stay with the person and have someone call 911
IF YOU CHOOSE TO DRINK, THESE GUIDELINES CAN HELP YOU DECIDE WHEN, WHERE AND HOW.
Canada's Low - Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines.
THIS IS THE FIRST STEP WHEN YOU SUSPECT SOMEONE IS HAVING AN OPIOID OVERDOSE
Call 911
TRUE OR FALSE, THE TERM ADDICTION INVOLVES CYCLES OF RELAPSE AND REMISSION.
TRUE:
WHAT IS THE GENERAL PHONE NUMBER TO CONNECT WITH MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE RESOURCES IN YOUR COMMUNITY?
310-MHSU
or
Crisis Response 250-305-8496 if you need immediate mental health and substance use support.
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- Suggest an alternative substance free activity.
- Make an excuse of why you can't
- Shrug it off and say, " no thanks, I'm good."
- Make a joke
TRUE OR FALSE: CANNABIS USE TREATS ANXIETY
False: Short term effects include relaxation, and euphoria. Chronic, regular use increases risk for psychosis, depression and anxiety (CCSA, 2020).
AN OVERDOSE FROM THIS TYPE OF SUBSTANCE CAN INVOLVE CHEST PAIN, ARRHYTHMIA, CONFUSION, CONVULSIONS, RESPIRATORY DEPRESSION, COMA OR DEATH.
Cocaine
SHARING ANY TYPE OF DRUG EQUIPMENT POSES A RISK OF FOR TRANSMISSION OF WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING VIRAL INFECTIONS:
A) HEPATITIS C
B) RABIES
C) HIV
D) INFLUENZA
Both A and C. Hepatitis and HIV
YOU CAN GET THESE KITS THAT WILL HELP SAVE SOMEONE FROM AN OPIOID OVERDOSE.
Naloxone Kits
You can get them from:
- Interior Health (Mikale - Youth Outreach, Kristin - Nurse Perscriber) or the MHSU office
- BGC (Laurel, Madison)
- Ask your teachers, staff at school
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- Do not get in the vehicle with your friend. Both are at risk for driving under the influence and getting into a motor vehicle accident - explain to your friend the risks of driving under the influence
- Think of a safe ride home alternative for you and suggest this to your friend; call for a safe ride (family, friend, taxi, safe contact)
SOME OF THESE HEALTH RISKS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH MOLLY/MDMA/ECSTASY USE
Severe dehydration, liver and heart failure and even death.
SAVEME IS AN ACRONYM THAT STANDS FOR
STIMULATE - TAP AND SHOUT
AIRWAY - CHECK
VENTILATE - GIVE 1 BREATH EVERY 5 SECONDS
EVALUATE
MUSCULAR INJECTION OF NALOXONE
EVALUATE
THE PREFRONTAL CORTEX IN THE BRAIN IS INVOLVED WITH DECISION MAKING.
TRUE OR FALSE: THIS AREA OF THE BRAIN IS WELL DEVELOPED BY AGE 12.
FALSE
THIS AREA OF THE BRAIN IS LAST TO FULLY DEVELOP (AGE 25); WHICH IS WHY RISK TAKING AND IMPULSIVE BEHAVIOUR IS COMMON AMONG TEENAGERS.
NAME ONE PROVINCIALLY FUNDED TREATMENT CENTRE FOR YOUTH IN BC.
- Peak House (Vancouver)
- A New Tomorrow (Kamloops - Interior Health region)
- The Last Door (New Westminster)
- Nechako (Prince George)
- Nenqayni (Williams Lake)
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- Leave the situation
THIS SPECIFIC PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCE CAN POTENTIALLY WORSEN PRE-EXISTING MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS (HEIGHTEN ANXIETY, STRESS, DEPRESSION)
NICOTINE (VAPING AND SMOKING CIGARETTES)
TRUE or FALSE: IF YOU ARE AT THE SCENE OF AN OVERDOSE AND SOMEONE CALLS 911 TO GET MEDICAL ASSISTANCE, YOU ARE NOT TO BE CHARGED WITH SIMPLE POSSESSION OF AN ILLEGAL SUBSTANCE.
A: TRUE
TRUE OF FALSE: THE SYMPTOMS OF ADDICTION CAN BE EXPLAINED BY THE UNDERLYING CHANGES TO THE BRAIN.
TRUE
BRAIN REWARD PATHWAY
*INTOXICATION*
*WITHDRAWAL*
*PREOCCUPATION*
TRUE or FALSE: THERE IS A CRISIS LINE THAT CAN BE ACCESSED BY YOUTH IN BC?
TRUE
Kids Help Phone:1 800 668-6868 or Text 686868 1-800-SUICIDE
Indigenous Initiatives Network: Call 1-800-668-6868 or text “First Nations” “Metis” or “Inuit” to 68 68 68 (youth) or 741 741 (adults)
KUU- US Crisis Line for First Nation/Indigenous specific crisis line available 24/7 anywhere in BC - Youth Line: 250-723-2040.
Online: youthinbc.com
** Ask one of us if you would like more online/phone resources.
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