There are many good reasons for youth to live substance free ...
most youth in Waldo County do!
Substance Abuse Prevention
Healthy Waldo County
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Prevention Home
Youth who are taught problem solving skills,
are more likely to resist early experimentation.
Youth who are taught how to deal with stress
(without using alcohol and prescription drugs)
can keep stress from taking over their lives.
The human brain does not fully develop until after age 21. Early use of alcohol and/or misuse of prescription drugs can significantly harm an adolescents brain and the ability to make healthy decisions. Early use can cause changes in the structure and function of the developing brain and increases the risk of unintentional harm through: alcohol poisoning, unplanned sexual behavior, unintentional accidents and injury, carrying out or being a victim of physical or sexual assault, suicide or car crashes.
Although illicit drug use by teens is declining, there may be a threat in your own medicine cabinet. There are serious health risks involved in the misuse of prescription drugs. A single large does of a painkiller or depressant can cause breathing difficulty that can lead to death. Stimulant abuse can lead to hostility or paranoia or potential for heart system failure or fatal seizures. Even small does of prescription drugs may have effects on motor skills,
judgement and the ability to learn.
Parents, do you want to participate in a parent-to-parent blog that tackles the real, everyday issues we face in raising healthy teens?
Findings can be found in the
Maine Youth Drug and Alcohol Use Survey: MYDAUS
Since 1993, Maine has partnered with the University of Washington for the purpose of developing research-based substance abuse prevention strategies.
The Maine Youth Drug and Alcohol Use Survey (MYDAUS) was a product of that collaboration. The purpose of the survey is to quantify the use of alcohol, tobacco and other substances among middle and high school students in Maine, and to identify the risk and protective factors that influence a student's choice of whether or not to engage in these and related harmful behaviors.
Rx Danger Zones- The Search Starts At Home
Children who eat meals with their families:
- Are less likely to drink alcohol, use drugs or smoke
- Have improved communication with their parents
- Have fewer behavior problems
- Have better School Performance
- Develop a sense of belonging, feel more secure and stable
- Tend to eat more fruits and vegetables and less fried foods
- Are more likely to try new foods and enjoy a greater variety of foods
National Center on Addiction
and Substance Abuse
For adults to Party Smarter:
Plan - Prepare - Pace
Are you getting the most out of your nights out? Sometimes drinking too much can get in the way of having fun. Everybody knows not to drink and drive – but there is more you might want to know to help you Party Smarter. Don’t miss the night and the fun – take some simple steps to “party smarter” whether you’re out at bars, clubs, restaurants, or at a friends’ home or in your home.
- Plan - Where are you going? Who are you going with? How are you getting home?
- Prepare - Eat, drink water, and make sure you take just enough money to have a good time. Leave the credit cards at home!
- Pace – Limit how much you drink in a night.
Why Should You Care?
Well, in addition to having to suffer through a hangover, having no money, cleaning up vomit, repairing friendships or much worse – sometimes the amount you drink can be a signal that you may have a problem with alcohol. If you want to learn more, keep reading.
Does Size Matter?
When it comes to alcoholic drinks, the size and amount of alcohol varies widely. And if you’ve decided that you are only going to drink a certain number of drinks in an evening, you should know what “one drink” means! One beer can is generally 5% alcohol – so one “drink” would be one 12 ounce beer. One shot of liquor – 1.5 oz – is equal to one drink. One mixed drink, assuming it has just one shot of liquor, is also 1.5 oz of alcohol and is equal to one drink. The chart below may help.
How Much is Too Much?
Is drinking alcohol harming my health now, or will it be harmful to me later in life? Should I stop drinking alcohol? Am I a binge drinker? Most adults who drink alcoholic beverages (beer, wine, or liquor) consume safe and healthy amounts. For others, unsafe drinking patterns increase their risk for injury, illness or future alcohol problems. And, for 1 in 13 American adults, alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence (alcoholism) causes substantial harm to their health and disruption in their lives.
If you consume alcoholic beverages, it's important to know whether your drinking patterns are safe, risky or harmful. Answering these questions will take only a few minutes, and will generate personalized results based on your age, gender and drinking patterns. Your responses are completely confidential and anonymous.
