Alcohol & Substance Abuse Information

Information on Alcohol and Substance abuse include the health effects associated with alcohol or drug use, warning signs, and statistics.

Health Effects

  • Alcohol decreases coordination, slows reaction time and impairs judgment, which can lead to risky behaviors.
  • Alcohol effects virtually every organ in the body, and prolonged use can lead to diseases including alcoholism.
  • Drinking increases the risk of injury, car crashes, falls, burns and drowning.
  • Just 1, 12-oz. beer has as much alcohol as a 1.5 oz shot of whiskey.
  • Too much alcohol can overload the system and can result in death.

Warning Signs

  • Curfew violations
  • Disregards consequences
  • Grades dropping
  • Lack of motivation
  • Lying/deception
  • Neglected appearance
  • No concern about the future
  • Reckless behavior
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Valuables missing

Statistics

  • 20% of 7th grade students have tried "huffing"
  • 22% of 8th graders have reported drinking alcohol
  • 28.5% of high schoolers smoke cigarettes
  • 41% of 10th grade students report drinking within the past month