Alcohol, Tobacco and Drugs

Excessive alcohol consumption is the third leading cause of death in the United States.
The United States has the highest rate of teenage alcohol and other drug use among
industrialized countries. Each day in the U.S 3,900 youth under the age of 18 try their
first cigarette, and approximately 950 youth become regular smokers. Because of the
many problems associated with alcohol tobacco and other drug abuse there is a define
need for prevention programs. (Telljohann, 2012)
Alcohol Tobacco and Drugs impact on health:
Memory lapses
Short attention spans
Loss of concentration
Decision making
Delinquent behavior, risk-taking behavior
Failure in school
Depression or suicidal thoughts (Children of Alcoholics)
HIV (Volkow, 2012)
Cardiovascular effects (Volkow, 2012)
Cardiorespiratory effects (Volkow, 2012)
Mental health effects (Volkow, 2012)
Neurological health effects (Volkow, 2012)
Liver damage (Volkow, 2012)
Kidney damage (Volkow, 2012)
Deaths caused by smoking:
Lung cancer deaths (128,000 per year)
Other cancers deaths (36,300 per year)
Stroke deaths (16,900 per year)
Other diagnoses deaths (44,000 per year)
Pulmonary disease deaths (92,900 per year)
Ischemic heart diseases deaths (126,000 per year)
Risk Factors:
Peer pressure
Outlet
Stress
Depression
Boredom
Gratification from peers
Rebellion
Gang involvement
Antisocial behavior
Lack of confidence
Lack of adult supervision (Bierman, K. L. (2003).

Uninformed
Parents behavior (Bierman, K. L. (2003).
Not committed to their education
Family
Poverty (Bierman, K. L. (2003).
Community
Community laws
Availability of drugs and alcohol (Bierman, K. L. (2003).
Household access to tobacco
Family suicide attempt
Low socioeconomic status
Tobacco acceptability
Peer smoking
Perceived norms
Body image concerns
Aggressive behavior (Bierman, K. L. (2003).
Adolescents who are exposed to cigarette advertising often find the ads appealing.
(CDC,2010)
Tobacco ads make smoking appear to be appealing, which can increase
adolescents' desire to smoke. (CDC, 2010)

Protective Factors:
Alcohol, Tobacco, and drug free community will lower the chances of availability
of such items to students.
Self esteem- Students who are confident in their own skin tend to shy away from
peer pressure.
School connectedness
School programs are efficient and impacting
Connectedness between siblings and parents
Parental/adolescents activities- Students who participate in family activities are
less likely to use tobacco products.
Academic expectation- Students who are expected to graduate high school and
college have lower uses of tobacco.
Behavioral and social skills- Those who steer clear of peer pressure and stress
are less likely to become users.
Impact on academic achievement: (Myers, M. 2014.).
Low attendance rates
5X more likely to drop out than students who dont drink and drug
72% of high school smokers were more likely to earn Ds and Fs
Best practices for curriculum development:

Have students join the movement from the truth campaign. This campaign is
working toward ending smoking for good. This website offers endless resources

on the effects of smoking and the amount of teen smokers left. Students can opt to
take action and join the growing number of young people to end the fight.
Alcohol Tobacco and Other drug use prevention education at the elementary,
middle, and high school level.
Promote public policies that are proven to reduce tobacco use and exposure to
secondhand smoke include comprehensive smoke-free laws, well-funded tobacco
prevention and stop-smoking programs, and tough regulation of tobacco products
and marketing. (Myers, 2014)

Citations:
Bierman, K. L. (2003). What are risk factors and protective factors? Retrieved
from http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/preventing-drug-abuse-amongchildren-adolescents/chapter-1-risk-factors-protective-factors/what-are-riskfactors
Center Center for disease control and prevention. Tobacco Industry marketing
(http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/tobacco_industry/marketi
ng/index.htm; May 2010)
Facts. Retrieved from https://www.thetruth.com/the-facts
Malignant Neglect: Substance and America's Schools.
Myers, M. (2014.). Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. Retrieved from
http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/who_we_are/
Telljohann, S., & Symons, C. (2012). Promoting an Alcohol and Other Drug-Free
Lifestyle. In Health education: Elementary and middle school applications
(7th ed., pp. 338-342). Dubuque, IA: McGraw-Hill.
Volkow, N. D. (2012, December 14). Medical Consequences of Drug Abuse.
Retrieved from http://www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/medical-consequencesdrug-abuse