Myth vs. Fact
True or False: Taking a cold shower or drinking coffee will help someone sober up quickly.
What is False? (Only time allows the body to process alcohol; it takes about 2 hours to eliminate one standard drink).
The human brain is not fully developed until roughly this age.
What is 25?
This is the most commonly used tobacco product among U.S. middle and high school students as of 2025.
What are E-cigarettes (or Vapes)?
Give an example of a "clear" refusal statement if someone offers you a substance.
What is "No thanks," "I don't do that," or "I have a game tomorrow"?
This synthetic opioid is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and is often disguised as legitimate prescription pills.
What is Fentanyl?
This common myth suggests that "everyone" in high school is using drugs or alcohol.
What is the "Everyone is Doing It" myth? (Data from 2025 shows 91% of 8th graders and 66% of 12th graders reported abstaining from marijuana, alcohol, and nicotine in the past 30 days).
This highly addictive substance found in both cigarettes and most vapes can "rewire" a developing brain.
What is Nicotine?
This rare but serious lung disease has been linked to the chemicals used in some vaping flavorings.
What is "Popcorn Lung"?
These individuals are often the most influential factor in a teen’s decision not to use drugs or alcohol.
Who are Parents or Trusted Adults?
These are often sold on social media and look exactly like Xanax or Adderall but frequently contain lethal doses of fentanyl.
What are Counterfeit (or Fake) Pills?
Many people believe these substances are safer than "street drugs" because they are prescribed by a doctor.
What are Prescription Drugs? (Misusing them can be just as dangerous or addictive as illegal substances).
Alcohol and other drugs primarily affect this part of the brain responsible for decision-making and impulse control.
What is the Prefrontal Cortex?
These small, smokeless products are placed between the lip and gum and have seen a recent upward trend in teen use.
What are Nicotine Pouches?
This 2025 federal survey provides the official annual data on teen drug use trends in the U.S.
What is the Monitoring the Future Survey?
This life-saving medication can reverse an opioid overdose if administered quickly.
What is Naloxone (Narcan)?
True or False: Vaping is a harmless alternative to smoking traditional cigarettes.
What is False? (Vaping can damage the lungs and brain, and many vapes contain high levels of nicotine).
This term describes what happens when the body becomes used to a drug and requires larger amounts to feel the same effect.
What is Tolerance?
Short-term physical effects of vaping can include these three symptoms.
What are coughing, wheezing, and nausea? (Also headaches, dizziness, or throat irritation).
If you are worried about a friend's substance use, you should do this instead of trying to handle it alone.
What is tell a trusted adult (e.g., a counselor, teacher, or parent)?
These laws protect people from legal trouble when they call 911 to report a drug-related medical emergency.
What are Good Samaritan Laws?