Solano County Office of Education - Alcohol and Other Drugs

Alcohol and Other Drugs

Alcohol and Other Drug use and abuse can affect student retention, school engagement, academic success and overall student health and well-being.

Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) include:

Alcohol
Marijuana
Opioids
Prescription Drugs

Additional resources for AOD use and abuse prevention can be found on the California Department of Education's website.

ALCOHOL

Underage consumption of alcohol is common in the U.S. and can have harmful effects and outcomes. Underage drinking is a serious public health issue in the U.S., and in 2010 costs the country $24 billion. Alcohol is the most commonly used substance among youth, in Solano County 12% of 7th graders reported their first drink occurred at 10 years or younger.

Underage drinking increases a youth's likelihood to experience the following:

School problems, including absenteeism, declining grades, fights, and lowered participation in extra curricular activities
Memory problems
Use and/or misuse of other substances
Changes to the developing brain, having lasting long term effects
Alcohol poisoning
Increase in legal problems, arrested for drive under the influence, and motor vehicle crashes

Studies also show a link between underage drinking and drinking as an adult. Underage drinking is preventable.

Alcohol and Your Health

Alcohol and Other Drugs

Binge Drinking

MARIJUANA

Marijuana, also known as, weed, pot, cannabis, or dope - is the dried flowers, leaves, stems, and seeds of the cannabis plant. There are over 100 cannabinoids (compounds), the most common being tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).

The brain is not fully developed until the age of 25-30, and using marijuana can have negative effects on the developing brain:

Difficulty thinking and problem solving
Problems with memory and maintaining attention
Problems with learning
Difficulty with coordination
Issues with school and socializing

Opioids are a class of drugs used to reduce pain. These drugs can be prescribed by doctors (OxyContin, Vicodin, Morphine, and Methadone) all have serious risks and side effects.