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Alcohol
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Marijuana
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| Is it legal?
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Legal only for people over 21
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Illegal, Schedule I drug
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| What are the health risks?
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Liver cirrhosis
Increased stroke risk
Decreased mental performance
Heart disease
Peptic ulcers
Hepatitis
Various forms of cancer
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Mouth cancer
Throat cancer
Lung cancer
Increased heart rate
Increased blood pressure
Increased stress
Respiratory problems
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| Is it addictive?
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Physically and Psychologically
Each year in the U.S. 100,000 people die from alcohol addiction and its
related causes. According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug
Dependence more than 13 million Americans abuse alcohol many of them
becoming alcoholics.
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Psychologically,
possibly physically
As with alcohol and many other drugs, not everyone who uses marijuana
becomes addicted, but some users do develop signs of dependence on the
drug. They may experience such withdrawal symptoms as loss of appetite,
sleep problems, weight loss, and shaky hands. In 1995, 165,000 people
entered drug treatment programs to kick their marijuana habit.
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| How does it affect a person's driving?
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Causes speeding and reckless driving.Over the past 20 years, there has
been a decline in drinking and driving and in the number of
alcohol-related deaths and injuries on the roads. However, drinking and
driving remains one of the main causes of death and injury.
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Causes abnormally slow driving and proneness to
distraction.Because of misconceptions about smoking and driving, many
people still do.Driving may be impaired for up to 24 hours. For more
information read about
marijuana and impaired driving.
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| What if I mix chemicals?
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Mixing alcohol with medications or illicit drugs is
extremely dangerous and can lead to accidental death. For example,
alcohol-medication interactions may be a factor in at least 25 percent of
emergency room admissions.
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Always a risk of added chemical substances such as PCP,
LSD, speed, formaldehyde, cocaine, etc.Added substances increase risks and
can cause increased physical damage.
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| What's the method of consumption?
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Swallowed in liquid form
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Smoked or eaten
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| What are some paraphernalia associated with it?
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Flask, bottles, bottle opener
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Water bongs, bowls, pipes, screens, roach clips, rolling
paper, baggies
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| What are some immediate signs of use?
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Slurred speech, decreased inhibitions, lack of motor
coordination
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Red eyes, dry mouth, increased appetite, slowed reaction,
memory loss
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| How long do the effects last?
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1-2 hours per drink
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1-4 hours
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| Does it affect self-control?
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Releases inhibitions
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Releases inhibitions
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| Can a person overdose?
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Drinking large amounts of alcohol can lead to coma or
even death. Also, in 1998, 35.8 percent of traffic deaths of 15- to
20-year-olds were alcohol-related."Binge" drinking means having five or
more drinks on one occasion. About 15 percent of teens are binge drinkers
in any given month.
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There have been no proven cases of overdosing on
marijuana. Usually, when large amounts of marijuana are consumed, the user
will pass out.
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| Does it lead to death?
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Drunk and drugged driving is the leading cause of death
among 15- to 24-year olds.
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Drunk and drugged driving is the leading cause of death
among 15- to 24-year olds.
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| What are some accident statistics?
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Every hour in the United States, one teenager is killed
or disfigured by a drunk or drugged driver.
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Every hour in the United States, one teenager is killed
or disfigured by a drunk or drugged driver.
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| What other names is it known by?
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Booze, Sauce, Brew, Brewski, Hooch, Hard Stuff, Juice
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Weed, Pot, Grass, Reefer, Ganja, Mary Jane, Blunt, Joint,
Roach, Nail
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| Does it do anything to my brain?
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Drinking alcohol leads to a loss of coordination, poor
judgment, slowed reflexes, distorted vision, memory lapses, and even
blackouts.
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THC (the active ingredient in marijuana) damages the
nerve cells in the part of the brain where memories are formed, making it
hard to remember things.
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| What kind of dangerous situation can it lead to?
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Alcohol depresses your central nervous system, lowers
your inhibitions, and impairs your judgment. Drinking can lead to risky
behaviors, including having unprotected sex. This may expose you to
HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases or cause unwanted
pregnancy.
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Marijuana can seriously affect your sense of time and
your ability to do things that require coordination—like driving. In 1998,
nearly 77,000 people admitted to emergency rooms admitted to using
marijuana immediately prior to their injury or accident. This was an
increase of more than 373 percent since 1991. Marijuana can also affects a
person's judgment and ability to make healthy, smart decisions. Chances of
having unprotected sex and being exposed to diseases increase.
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| Can it cause cancer?
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Alcohol can damage every organ in your body. It is
absorbed directly into your bloodstream and can increase your risk for a
variety of life-threatening diseases, including cancer.
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There are more than 400 known chemicals in marijuana. A
single joint contains four times as much cancer-causing tar as a filtered
cigarette.
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| What does the law say about possession?
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It is illegal to buy or possess alcohol if you are under
21.
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It is illegal to buy or sell marijuana. In most States,
holding even small amounts of marijuana can lead to
fines or arrest.
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| So what else should I know?
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One drink can make you fail a breathalizer test. In some
States, people under the age of 21 who are found to have any amount of
alcohol in their systems can lose their driver's license, be subject to a
heavy fine, or have their car permanently taken away.
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There is NO proof that smoking marijuana is healthy and
tons of evidence that it is not healthy. Smoking any substance—tobacco,
marijuana, or crack cocaine—increases your risk of developing pneumonia
and other illnesses.
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| Can it cause a person to try other substances?
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Among teenagers, those who smoke cigarettes are more
likely to drink alcohol. Those who smoke and drink are more likely to use
marijuana. And those who use all three are more likely to use other
illicit drugs.
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It has not yet been proven that using marijuana leads to
using other drugs. But, the fact is that very few people use other drugs
without first using marijuana. Teens who smoke marijuana are more likely
to try other drugs, in part because they have more contact with people who
use and sell them.
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| How many teens use it?
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Most teens aren't drinking alcohol. Research shows that
70 percent of people ages 12-20 haven't had a drink in the past month.
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Most teens aren't smoking marijuana. According to The
1999 National Household Survey on Drugs Abuse, more than half of youth
had never even tried marijuana.
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| Is there any secondhand danger?
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If you're around people who are drinking, you have an
increased risk of being seriously injured, involved in car crashes, or
affected by violence. At the very least, you may have to deal with people
who are sick, out of control, or unable to take care of themselves.
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Even if you're not the one smoking marijuana, you can
still be harmed by secondhand smoke and can receive a contact high, which
may result in some of the same effects that marijuana smokers have.
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| How can I help a friend with a problem?
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What can you do to help someone who has a drinking
problem? Be a real friend. You might even save a life. Encourage your
friend to stop or seek professional help. For information and referrals,
call the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information at
800-729-6686.
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What can you do to help someone who is using marijuana or
other drugs? Be a real friend. Encourage your friend to seek professional
help. For information and referrals, call the National Clearinghouse for
Alcohol and Drug Information at 800-729-6686. |
