ALCOHOL

Myth: I can drink alcohol and not have any problems.

Fact: If you’re under 21, drinking alcohol is a big problem: It’s illegal. If caught, you may have to pay a fine, perform community service, or take alcohol awareness classes. Kids who drink also are more likely to get poor grades in school and are at higher risk of being crime victim.

DRUGS

Myth: Teenagers are too young to get addicted.

Fact: Addiction can happen at any age. Even unborn children can get addicted because of their mother's drug use.

Cocaine, classified as an illegal stimulant, poses severe risks to bodily organs, can incite mental health disorders, and may lead to respiratory failure. The drug’s addictive nature can initiate dependency even after initial use.

Myth: As soon as a person feels normal, all the drug is out of the body.

Fact: Long after the effects of the drug stop being felt, the drug can still be in the body. For example, cocaine can be found in the body up to one week and marijuana up to 3 months after a single use.

** Despite declines in adolescent illicit drug use in Cobb County, overdose deaths continue to rise due to fentanyl

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

Myth: Unlike underage drinking and marijuana use, using and sharing prescription medications is legal.

Fact: Using these drugs without a doctor’s prescription or abusing someone else’s prescriptions—or your own—is always harmful, not to mention illegal.

The Opioid Crisis

SMOKING/VAPING

Approximately 2.55 Million Middle and High School Students Using Tobacco Products.

Encouragingly, the prevalence of cigarette smoking among young Americans has been decreasing. However, over 2 million middle and high school students have adopted e-cigarettes, a concerning trend as they pose risks, especially those containing nicotine, which can harm their developing brains. Several states in the US have increased investments in comprehensive tobacco control programs aimed at deterring youth smoking. These states have witnessed more rapid and substantial declines in youth and adult cigarette smoking.

RESOURCES

LHS has a Zero tolerance and immediate suspension from school and CCSDPD is contacted.
Below are some resources for students -
● stopalcoholabuse.gov
● https://www.tobaccofreekids.org/
● https://nida.nih.gov/
● https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/