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 cannabis interferes with your sense of time and distance
True - judging distance and passage of time is difficult under the influence of cannabis. People who drive after using cannabis can 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
Playing pool with friends for money isn't really gambling
False - this is gambling. It is defined as "the act of risking money, property or something of value on an activity with a certain outcome"
Protective factors decrease kids' chances of harmful involvement with substance use or gambling
True - examples 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 centres that control behavior
Smoking cannabis is less harmful than smoking cigarettes.
False - similar to tobacco, smoking cannabis can damage your lungs. Second-hand cannabis smoke can be just as harmful as tobacco.
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
True - for example, the most powerful and long-lasting learning pattern occurs when a behavior is reinforced intermittently and unpredictably. Slot machines and VLTs pay out on an intermittent reinforcement schedule
True - examples are: early involvement with alcohol, tobacco, other drugs or gambling, family conflict and poor connection at school
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 may happen if drinking is suddenly stopped.
The majority of youth in grades 7-9 have tried cannabis
False - over 90% students in Grade 7-9 have never tried cannabis
Electronic smoking products (aka vaping) are a safe alternative to smoking cigarettes
False - using electronic cigarettes can lead to nicotine addiction, lung problems and risk of injury from battery malfunction. The long term health effects of using electronic smoking products are unknown
Some video games designed for youth contain elements that are similar to gambling
True - some video games are designed to be similar to casino games, motivating players to continue playing by offering frequent rewards and the chance to gamble using virtual or real money or the acquiring of skills
Schools can make a valuable difference in preventing substance use and gambling problems
True - research shows that participation in extra-curricular 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.
Cannabis can affect your attention, judgment, decision making and ability to learn.
True - taking anything that changes the way you think, act and feel could have consequences on major life areas. This could include poor performance in school or dropping out of things you enjoy
Most students in Grades 7 - 12 have tried smoking cigarettes
False - 80% of students in Grades 7-12 have never tried a cigarette
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.
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 will try to relieve the pain through substance use or gambling
Only people who drink everyday can become dependent on alcohol
False - Anyone who drinks can become dependent on alcohol
Cannabis is not addictive
False - it can be. Regular use of cannabis at an early age increases your risk of becoming dependent on it
Tobacco smoke contains approximately 7000 chemicals
true - nearly 70 of these chemicals are cancer-causing agents called carcinogens
When a flipped coin comes up heads 4 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 tails and it is to come up heads.
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