The Addiction Policy Forum​ has great video shorts to help understand substance use disorder along with prevention tips!

“Your environment plays an important role in prevention. Communities play a key role in protecting adolescents from early substance use. Prevention efforts can be implemented by building coalitions and comprehensive strategies to reduce risk factors for substance use and addiction.”

Tip: Using alcohol and marijuana shuts down 10-11 of the 13 geographic regions of the brain, reaction diminishes significantly.

Using alcohol and marijuana can cause significant negative effects on an individual. Marijuana impacts your coordination, resulting in decreased ability to move, react and stay balanced. The use of alcohol controls the brain in many ways and can result in difficulty walking, blurred vision, slurred speech, slowed reaction times and impaired memory. Think about these facts before using alcohol or marijuana.

Tip: Overcoming barriers to performance is how groups become teams

Every team is made up of a set of diverse individuals who bring a variety of strengths to their sport. When a group of athletes are faced with a difficult opponent, they share a purpose to be part of something larger – to score that one goal or even to defeat the team who has been undefeated all season. Make it a priority to understand your group’s common goal and use the benefits of working as a team to accomplish that goal.

Tip: Vaping isn’t considered safe for teens because their brain is still developing and can expose them to toxic substances and nicotine.

Exposure to nicotine and toxic substances in vaping devices can cause your breathing to become rapid and shallow, as well as increase heart rate and blood pressure.  The vapor can contain volatile organic compounds, flavoring such as diacetyl which is a chemical linked to a serious lung disease and heavy metals such as nickel, tin and lead. Nicotine use can also rewire the brain, which can impact your concentration, learning and impulse control.

Members of the community express their thanks to Casco Bay region teens, who are doing their part to keep their community safe and healthy. These times have been particularly difficult for kids as they haven’t been able to attend school, participate in events with their friends, or explore their world in new and exciting ways – all of the things that teens love. Casco Bay CAN Coalition members recognize how strong/resilient youth are and we thank them!

Wishing everyone a safe and healthy 2021!

• Past month nicotine vaping rose dramatically over 3 years
• Past month cannabis vaping increased among non-college young adults in 2019
• Past year cannabis remained at historic highs
• Daily cannabis use was more common among non-college young adults in 2019

View the infographic here.