This week marks the annual recognition of Addictions Awareness Week. The theme for this year’s campaign is “Get up On It – Draw Your Own Conclusions.” This theme is meant to encourage youth in our communities to educate themselves about the realities and misconceptions of marijuana use.
This week marks the annual recognition of Addictions Awareness Week. The theme for this year’s campaign is “Get up On It – Draw Your Own Conclusions.” This theme is meant to encourage youth in our communities to educate themselves about the realities and misconceptions of marijuana use.
The Get Up On It campaign features a series of messages which focus on three key facts about marijuana use: its effect on ambition and interest, its effect on driving and reaction time and the unknown and often harmful toxins used as additives in marijuana.
“Young people in our communities face many challenges about information or more importantly, mis-information about using marijuana, said Cathy Wheeler, Regional Addictions Prevention Consultant for Western Health. “We hope that the campaign this week and our ongoing efforts will support youth with the right information about the harmful effects of using drugs and the implications for them and their future.”
Get Up On It was introduced in 2005 to education youth on the effects of drugs, alcohol and problem gambling and encourage them to stay real and follow their dreams.
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For more information, contact:
Heidi Staeben-Simmons
Director of Communications
709-637-5252
heidistaebensimmons@westernhealth.nl.ca
Backgrounder:
MYTH: Marijuana is natural, so it can’t be bad for you.
FACT: A lot of natural things are poisonous. When you smoke marijuana, it releases harmful chemicals into your lungs. (CAMH, 2008)
MYTH: You can’t get addicted to marijuana.
FACT: Some people have a hard time quitting and have to find treatment. They may feel they need the drug, and get anxious when they don’t have any. Some people experience anxiousness, irritability, upset stomach, or nervousness without the drug. (CAMH, 2008)
MYTH: Marijuana is legal.
FACT: Marijuana possession is illegal in Canada. A change has been proposed in the law about possessing marijuana and possession of small amounts would be reduced to a fine BUT possession would still be ILLEGAL. (CAMH, 2008)
Did you know?
You have a greater change of having a car crash when you drive after using marijuana. (CAMH, 2008)
Mixing marijuana and alcohol is more dangerous than using each drug separately. (CAMH, 2008)
THC (the active ingredient in marijuana) remains in your brain for days or weeks, and affects your memory, speech, and learning. (CAMH, 2008)
THC is stored in your fat cells and can stay in your body for days or weeks. This means you would test positive for a drug test weeks after you smoked marijuana. (CAMH, 2008)
In people at high risk of developing schizophrenia, marijuana may bring on symptoms earlier. (CAMH, 2008)
Marijuana that you buy illegally may contain other drugs, harmful pesticides, or fungus. (CAMH, 2008)