What is a gateway drug?

Transcription

1 Gateway Drugs

2 What is a gateway drug? :a common drug whose use is predicted to lead to using harder drugs. Harder drugs: like cocaine or heroin

3 What are the gateway drugs? Marijuana Tobacco Alcohol PrescripBon Drugs

4 Marijuana Marijuana is the most commonly used illegal drug amongst teens It contains over 400 different chemicals the main chemical that affects the brain is known as THC Long- term effects of marijuana usage includes a weaker immune system, personality and mood changes, and decreased levels of brain memory Also known as Pot Weed Dope Mary Jane Reefer Roach Herb

5 Marijuana as a gateway drug Because a tolerance builds up, marijuana can lead users to consume stronger drugs to achieve the same high. When the effects start to wear off, the person may turn to more potent drugs. A study showed that people who used marijuana before the age of 15 62% went on to use cocaine 9% went on to use heroin 54% went on to using prescripbon drugs

6 Harmful Effects on your body Heart Endocrine ReproducBve Throat Lungs Central Nervous System Brain Immune System

7 Alcohol Types of alcohol: beer, wine, tequila, rum, brandy, whiskey, gin, vodka, and liqueurs Alcohol levels can range from 2%- 60% depending on the type of drink Long- term effects of alcohol abuse include liver disease, nerve damage, malnutribon, and cancer of the mouth and throat Alcohol is a depressant; it slows down vital funcbons such as your Speech Movement PercepBon RaBonal judgment

8 Alcohol as a gateway drug Youth who drink are 7.5 Bmes more likely to use other illegal drugs and 50 Bmes more likely to use cocaine than young people who never drink Young people who begin drinking before age 15 are 4 Bmes more likely to develop alcohol dependence than those who begin drinking at 21 Studies show that long- term drug abuse is related to early alcohol usage (*University of Florida)

9 What body part is this? What happened? Why did it happened? Ader how long? How does it affect you?

10 Tobacco Tobacco is a dried leaf plant that can be smoked in a cigareee, pipe, cigar or chewed A study on teen drug use (12-15yrs of age) of tobacco were more likely to use Marijuana Cocaine Crack Heroin Tobacco contains around 4,000 plus chemicals; 2,000 are known to be poisonous Studies show that the use of nicobne (the chemical found in tobacco) also increases the likelihood of future cocaine usage

11 What is in a cigareee?

12 Which lung is healthy?

13 LONG LASTING EFFECTS What caused it? Why did he start? When did he start? How did this happen?

14 StaBsBcs A person who smokes marijuana is 104 Pmes more likely to use cocaine than a person who never tries pot; (NaBonal InsBtute on Drug Abuse*) Early regular use of tobacco and alcohol emerged as the 2 factors most consistently associated with later illicit drug use and abuse/dependence. (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services AdministraBon*) According to study, 50% of 13 year olds reported they could find and purchase marijuana from older peers The vast majority of cocaine users (99.9%) began by first using a gateway drug like marijuana, cigareues, or alcohol. (Drugfreeworld.org*) Alcohol, cigareues and marijuana were associated with an increased likelihood of prescripbon drug abuse for men & women (Yale University; Journal of Adolescent Health*)

15 Why do teens use drugs? To fit in/peer pressure - everyone is doing it To relieve boredom To escape problems or relax To experiment To seem grown up To rebel

16 Ways to avoid drug pressure 1. Hang out with people who share the same thoughts as you. True friends should respect how you feel and not try to pressure you into anything you don t want to. 2. Join a club or a sports team. Keeping yourself busy will help you avoid boredom and make new friends. 3. If you find yourself in a difficult situabon, get out! If you are hanging out ader school or at a party and someone offers you drugs or alcohol, make an excuse to leave and walk away. 4. Keep in touch with an adult. If you feel like you can t get yourself out of a situabon, turn to a trusted adult for help or advice.

17 How the PYC supports the community in a fun and safe way Support other youth for drug free environments Park and beach clean ups, Toy and food drives Fun and safe acbvibes along with field trips Build professional experience and friendships Community Hours or possible employment

18 Come talk to us Sunrise House Youth & Family Counseling Helps with problems of: Family Problems Bullying Peer Pressure Anger/Self Esteem Gangs, Sex, Abuse, Suicide Get involved! Sunrise House PrevenBon 152 West Gabilan St. Salinas, CA Tel: Tel: Hours a day Free and ConfidenBal