Take Action in Secondary Schools

SECTION II:
Understanding Substance Use and Abuse in the School Community

More About Alcohol, Cannabis and Tobacco

Alcohol, cannabis and tobacco have been substances frequently used by youth. The following provides additional information on issues and concepts which may arise or be of interest.

Legal drinking age:

The legal drinking age is regulated provincially and is 19 in Ontario. Many young people are exposed to and use alcohol well in advance of reaching this age.

There are differences in judgment and life skills that can be related to age and experience. Emotional maturity and problem solving skills are often necessary, and have an impact on behaviour in the kinds of situations that arise when young people consume alcohol.

Concept of the standard drink:

Alcohol is alcohol is alcohol. Some people think that beer is not as harmful as other forms of alcohol. But one beer has the same amount of alcohol in it as a standard amount of liquor or a glass of wine. This is known as the concept of the standard drink.

The amount of alcohol consumed affects the individual; not the type of drink. Individuals become intoxicated on beer or any other beverage containing alcohol. Other factors such as how quickly the alcohol is consumed, and the amount of food in a person's stomach at the time they are drinking may affect blood alcohol level.

* Note that regular beers have an average alcohol content of five per cent, but some have as much as six or seven per cent, making them stronger than a "standard" drink.

"Light" beers have an average alcohol content of four per cent.

**such as sherry, port or vermouth

Binge drinking:

Binge drinking is defined as the practice of drinking 5 or more drinks on one occasion. Often drinking at parties takes on the form of binge drinking: chugging, funnelling, power drinking, or contests where young people drink as much as they can as quickly as they can, are common forms. Drinking in this manner can cause severe intoxication or alcohol poisoning, which may be very dangerous and possibly fatal.

Alcohol poisoning:

Alcohol poisoning is the result of drinking excessive amounts of alcohol leading to a toxic concentration of alcohol in a person's blood or elevated alcohol blood level. Confusion, vomiting, irregular or slow breathing, seizures, changes in skin tone, and passing out are all signs of alcohol poisoning.

Alcohol poisoning is serious and sometimes fatal, due to the depressant effects of alcohol on the central nervous system, as well as the risk of an individual vomiting and choking. It is important to educate students to recognize the need to seek immediate medical care when someone is in this situation.

Recovery position:

The recovery position has been developed and can be taught as a life saving first aid skill. To prevent an unconscious person from choking to death if they vomit, the recovery position is used to ensure that they are safely resting on their side and not on their back.

Parental consent:

Most young people have their first experiences with alcohol within their family home. However, underage drinking within the context of the family is typically quite different from social drinking with peers, or in party situations where there are fewer controls or restraints.

Sometimes parents feel that it is best to host parties or allow drinking within their home in order to monitor the behaviour of their children. However, if a party is held at a home, the parents can be held legally responsible for whatever happens, even if they are not present, aware of, or providing the alcohol. The presence of adults can be interpreted as permission, and does not necessarily curb high risk behaviour.

Cannabis as a "natural" substance:

The marijuana produced and available today has a much higher level of the psychoactive ingredient tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. Different growing techniques, including hydroponic farming and cross cultivation, have led to the production of more potent varieties of marijuana.

Marijuana, like many drugs, does originally come from plants growing in nature. Most drugs that are obtained from plants are changed by a chemical process in some way (like cocaine or heroin). The marijuana you get today has been carefully grown in grow operations using specific techniques to produce exactly what the grower wants, and to make the biggest profit for the grower. Not much is left to chance! Growers use pesticides and other chemicals to encourage plant growth and prevent insects and diseases which will damage their crops, and these can be harmful to the user.

Comparison of harmful effects:

The harmful effects of tobacco use and alcohol abuse on individuals and society are well known. For example, we know that tobacco is the leading cause of preventable deaths in Canada. And we are aware that domestic violence and many traffic injuries and deaths are closely linked to alcohol abuse. Marijuana is not in these two categories.

Marijuana does share some harmful health effects in common with tobacco, such as the cancer-causing agents and damage to the breathing system. Marijuana has similar harmful effects as alcohol, such as impaired judgment, coordination and concentration. Marijuana use also poses safety risks if used while driving a vehicle.

Nicotine:

It is important to recognize that the nicotine in tobacco cigarettes is highly addictive. Most people who smoke regret that they ever started and would like to break the habit. The health risks associated with smoking are well documented, making tobacco use the number one cause of preventable deaths in North America.

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