Alcohol and Drugs



Alcohol and Drugs

A Fact Sheet

2002

Consider:

Alcohol is the oldest and most widely used drug in the world. Among students, the three most commonly used drugs are alcohol, tobacco and cannabis (marijuana, hashish and hash oil). The 1997 Ontario Student Drug Use Survey found that 75% of students had used alcohol in their lifetime and 60% had used during the past year. Roughly 40% of young drinkers reported becoming drunk or consuming at least five drinks on one occasion. In the same survey, 50% of students reported using tobacco at some time in their lives, while 28% were current smokers. Cannabis is the most common illicit drug, with 30% reporting use at least once in their lives and 25% reporting use in the previous year.

For Ontario students, the average age of first use for alcohol and tobacco is approximately 12 years old (grade 7), while the average age for first marijuana use is about 14 years old (grade 9). (Adiaf, E.M., Ivis, F.J., and Smart R.G. (1997). Ontario Student Drug Use Survey: 1977-1997. Toronto: Addiction Research Foundation.)

What can Alcohol do?

• Make you gain weight

• Make you feel sick and dizzy

• Make your breath smell bad

• Make you throw up

• Make you clumsy and slur your speech

• Make your skin break out

• Make you feel depressed

• Make you feel that inappropriate or violent behaviour is okay

• Make you feel out of control

Why should I say [pic] to a beer or a drink?

Because alcohol is a drug and you can become addicted to it. It changes the way your mind and body work. Even one beer can slow your reactions and confuse your thinking. This means that anything that requires concentration and coordination (like driving) is more dangerous when you’ve had a drink.

When is drinking a problem?

Drinking is a problem if it causes trouble in your relationships with other people, your school or social activities or how you think or feel. People often start drinking when they feel stressed or because their friends drink. Drinking may make you think that you will forget about your problems or make you feel more liked by others. But, the day after, you will still have the same problems and still be the same person.

Four Common Drugs:

Marijuana: This is a mind-altering drug made from parts of the hemp plant. People generally start using marijuana because they see their friends or family members using it or they hear about it so much on TV or in songs. Maybe they think it’s cool. Marijuana can cause problems with memory, coordination, trouble with thinking and problem-solving and increased heart rate and anxiety. Marijuana is sometimes called a “gateway” drug because most people who use other drugs began with marijuana.

Date Rape Drugs: Both GHB and Rohypnol have a reputation as date rape drugs, as they are being used to sexually assault women and men. The drugs are easily slipped into someone’s drink and the person becomes either very open to suggestion and physically weak or passes out entirely, leaving them vulnerable to the person who spiked their drink. Rohypnol causes people to black out; they have no memory the next day of what has happened to them. This is one good reason not to accept an opened drink from someone or to leave your drink – whatever it may be – unattended.

Ecstasy: This is a drug that has become very popular at social events like raves, hip hop parties and concerts frequented by both adults and youth. Ecstasy is mood enhancer and often makes people feel good, happy and relaxed. At least at first. Ecstasy is illegal. Ecstasy is especially dangerous because of the lack of content control, that is, sometimes the manufacturers can’t get the substances they need so they substitute with other, sometimes harmful, additives. Contrary to popular belief, Ecstasy is not an aphrodisiac; it can actually inhibit sexual performance.

It’s a Downward Spiral:

(Drugs cloud your judgment and make it hard to see problems and fix them.

This may cause you to use more drugs to deal with increasing stress.

( Your friends may start to reject or judge you which may cause you to use drugs in an effort to regain their approval.

( Parents and teachers may react to your drug use with punishment making you feel like others are controlling your life. You may react by using more drugs.

( Increasing your use of drugs may lead to the development of an addiction. Your attempt to gain control of your life by using drugs will have lead to drugs controlling your life.

See Resource List for further information.

Sources: drinking

alcoholics-

al-anon.

al-

mon/ghb-rohypnol.htm

mon/ecstasy.htm

mon/Alcohol.htm



Anger

A Fact Sheet

2002

Consider:

Anger is a reaction to an inner emotion. It is not planned. It is easy to show; easier than sadness or rejection. Anger makes us feel more in control, not vulnerable or weak. There is nothing wrong with feeling angry.

To repress anger is unhealthy and can lead to other physical or emotional problems. But to express anger in a healthy, positive way is difficult and takes practice.

How does anger feel?

• Muscle tension

• Rapid heartbeat

• A “knot” or “butterflies” in your stomach

• Changes in your breathing

• Trembling or shaking

• Goosebumps

• Flushed in your face

Do you have a problem with anger?

← People tell you that you need to calm down.

← You feel tense much of the time.

← At school, you are afraid to say what’s on your mind.

← You drink or smoke to help you calm down.

← You have trouble going to sleep or staying asleep.

← You feel misunderstood or not listened to much of the time.

← People ask you not to yell or curse so much.

← Friends do not seek you out as much as they used to.

← Your friends say they are afraid of you when you are angry.

Possible strategies to help manage your anger:

• Relaxation tools: deep breathing, relaxing imagery, repeating a calming word or phrase

• Changing the way you think: instead of blowing up, try replacing some of the exaggerated words like “this ALWAYS happens” or “I’ll NEVER get this right” with “This is frustrating me!”.

• Look for solutions: anger often gets in the way of solving a problem. Remember that getting angry is not going to fix the problem…stay calm and come up with some ideas or a plan for resolving the issue.

• Communicate: instead of jumping to conclusions and getting angry, slow down and think through what the other person has said and what you want to say in response.

• Use silly humour: it will diffuse the situation and may help calm you.

• Change your environment: walk away; leave the room; take a break; go for a walk

• Anger management classes: taking a class to learn how to control your anger may be useful.

See Resource List for further information.

Body Image

A Fact Sheet

2002

Consider:

A research report in Psychology Today claims that 89% of women say they want to lose weight; 22% of men say they want to gain weight. (January/February 1997, Volume 30(1))

Close to 70% of women are weight preoccupied and almost 40% are continually gaining and losing weight (Canadian Gallop Poll, 1984)

A study of young Native American women (Chippewa) found that 74% were trying to lose weight.[1]

Approximately half of adolescent women think they are too fat while almost 50% are dieting. [2]

What is an Eating Disorder?

An eating disorder is an obsession with food and weight. Although we all worry about our weight sometimes, people with an eating disorder go to extremes to keep from gaining weight. Two of the main eating disorders are anorexia and bulimia.

People with anorexia are obsessed with being thin. They don’t want to eat and they are afraid of gaining weight. They may take diet pills, laxatives or water pills to lose weight. They may exercise too much. People with anorexia may get so thin that they look like they’re sick.

Bulimia is eating a lot of food at once (binging) and then throwing up or using laxatives (purging). After a binge, people with bulimia over exercise or fast so they don’t gain weight. Some people take diet pills, laxatives and water pills. People with bulimia try to hide their binging and purging; they may even hide food. Bulimics are usually close to normal weight but their weight may go up and down.

What are the warning signs?

• Unnatural concern about body weight

• Obsession with calories and fat

• Use of medicines to keep from gaining weight

• Throwing up after meals

• Refusing to eat or lying about how much was eaten

• Fainting

• Over exercising

• For females, not having periods

• Increased anxiety about weight

• Denying that there is anything wrong

• Calluses or scars on the knuckle from forced vomiting

Eating disorders usually start in the teens. Both boys and girls can develop eating disorders. It is critical that people with eating disorders get help as early as possible.

See Resource List for further information.

Sources: eating/

Healthy Relationships

A Fact Sheet

2002

Characteristics of Healthy Relationships:

• You need to take time to think about who you are, who you want to be and how you want others to see you. Learn about building trust, respect and affection for yourself and others.

• Take time to figure out with what kind of person you want to spend time. What are the qualities you like in a person? What is most important to you in a relationship?

• Good and vibrant relationships welcome interactions with family members and with friends of both parties. Good relationships involve others.

• In a healthy relationship, you and your partner feel good about yourselves and the relationship. You can talk with each other about problems; you have fun together; you trust each other. In good relationships, neither partner is afraid of the other. You want what is best for yourself and the other person.

• It may seem easier at times to go along with what your date wants even if you don't feel the same way, but you can't have a healthy relationship with a partner who doesn't respect or know what you really think.

• Respecting thoughts and ideas, needs and wants of both people makes relationships safe and fun. In healthy dating, both people make decisions about the relationship together.

Characteristics of Unhealthy Relationships:

• Is suspicious about everybody with whom you speak

• Wants to be with you constantly

• Tries to turn you against your parents

• Tries to decide what you do and with whom you spend time

• Gives orders and expects you to follow them

• Hides controlling behavior behind pretending to be concerned about your safety

• Expects you to put up with quickly changing moods

• Expects you to be available all of the time

• Expects you to forgive and forget immediately

• Discourages you from spending time with your friends

• Puts down everyone you know including your family and friends

• If there are problems at school or at work, it is always someone else’s fault

• Blames you for everything that goes wrong in the relationship

• Is easily insulted

• Sees everything as personal attacks

• Blows things out of proportion

• Asks you to do things sexually you do not want to do

• Uses sulking or anger to manipulate you into "giving in" to having sex

• Puts you down in front of other friends

• Makes you feel stupid

• Was violent/abusive to partners in previous relationships

• Breaks or strikes objects near you in order to frighten you

• Yells and curses during an argument in order to scare you into agreeing

What is Dating Violence?

Dating violence is the sexual, physical, or emotional abuse of one partner by another in a dating relationship where the couple is not living together.

Sexual abuse may involve sexual relations without consent, unwanted sexual touching, or being forced to engage in humiliating, degrading sexual activity. Coercion or the threat of coercion is often used to gain the compliance of the victim.

Physical abuse may involve punching, kicking, slapping, pushing, choking, biting, burning, hair pulling, physically confining, striking with an object or assaulting with a weapon.

Emotional abuse may involve intimidating, terrorizing, threatening, humiliating, insulting, pressuring, destroying property, controlling the movements of one’s partner, yelling and screaming to induce fear, isolating from friends and family or other expressions of extreme jealousy.

Consider:

Date rape has the lowest reporting rate of all forms of rape. It is estimated that only 1% of date rapes are reported to the authorities.

A report on date and acquaintance rape conducted among over 6,100 students found that 84% of the women who had been sexually assaulted knew their attacker and that 57% of the rapes had happened on a date. The same survey found that 75% of the men and 55% of the women had been drinking or taking drugs.

Dating violence is sometimes viewed by one or both partners as an indication of love, especially when it is perceived as a sign of jealousy. However, assault is about power, not passion.

Stalking

Stalking is criminal behaviour and is against the law. If you think you are being stalked, call the police immediately. Examples of stalking include when:

• someone continues to contact you after you’ve asked him/her to stop;

• someone drives by your home, school or workplace to intimidate you;

• leaves you unwanted letters, cards, flowers, etc.;

• watches you from a distance and/or follows you; or

• threatens you or your friends, family, neighbours, etc.

What to do if you are abused or if your behaviour is abusive?

If you are abused:

• Trust yourself – believe what you are feeling is real

• Discuss your concerns – with your partner and with others who will help and support you

• Get medical attention if you have been hurt; seek legal counsel if your partner has broken the law

• Think of your safety; violent relationships have been proven to only get more violent

If you are abusing:

• Listen to your partner’s concerns

• Accept responsibility for your behaviour

• Talk with someone who can help and support you

See Resource List for further information.

Sources: National Clearinghouse on Family Violence

Stalking Solutions

Trust Betrayed

Healthy Sexuality and

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD)

A Fact Sheet

2002

Consider:

The number of 15 to 19 year olds who said they used condoms the first time they had sex tripled in the past 20 years, from 18% in 1975 to 54% in 1995.

Recent statistics suggest that more teens may be choosing not to have sex. The number of girls 15 to 19 years old who are sexually active fell from 53% in 1988 to 50% in 1995. The number fell for boys too – from 60% to 56%.

Three-quarters of girls report that adults who give teenagers information about sex treat them as if they are unable to make their own decisions. Two-thirds believe that adults tell teenagers things “when it’s too late”. (Girls Inc.)

How will I know if I’m ready to have sex?

Figuring out when you’re ready is hard. Your body may give you signals that seem to say you’re ready. But your body isn’t the only thing you should listen to. Your beliefs, values and emotions play a bigger role in when you choose to have sex. Try to figure out how you really feel. Talk to someone you can trust.

At what age can I consent to having sex?

Sexual activity without consent is a crime. The Criminal Code of Canada outlines when an adolescent can give consent:

|Under 12 years of age |This age group can NOT give consent |

|12 years of age but under 14 |If the two people are within two years of each other but both under 16, then |

|years |consent can be given |

| | |

| |If one of the teens is in a position of trust or authority over the other |

| |(e.g. a babysitter) then consent can NOT be given. |

|14 years of age but under 18 |Legal consent can be given provided that one of the individuals is not in a |

|years |position of trust or authority over the other. If one is in a position of |

| |trust, that person can be charged with the crime of sexual exploitation. |

What are the risks of having sex?

Some of the health risks include pregnancy and catching one or more STDs. Having sex before you develop physically can also hurt. Sex also has some emotional risks. If you have sex when you’re not ready or because someone is pressuring you, you may feel bad about yourself or wonder if your partner really cares about you. You may have to deal with consequences you hadn’t thought of, like pregnancy or an STD.

What are Sexually Transmitted Diseases?

Sexually transmitted diseases are infections you can get by having sex. Sex, in this case, includes intercourse, anal sex, oral sex, or skin-to-skin contact.

Common STDs include: public lice (crabs), trichomoniasis, Chlamydia, syphilis, HIV/AIDS, herpes, gonorrhea and genital warts. Sometimes medicine can treat the disease or its symptoms, but some STDs like herpes and AIDS are incurable. For a detailed list of symptoms, you can call your local health unit or check out some websites like .

How do I know if my partner has an STD?

Ask. Although it may be uncomfortable, talk to your partner before having any sexual contact. Ask if he or she is at risk for having an STD. Some of the risk factors are having sex with several partners, using injection drugs (e.g. heroin) and having had an STD in the past. To be safe, protect yourself no matter what the person says. You must also tell your partner if you have an STD.

What is Safer Sex?

The only 100% sure way to protect yourself is not to have sex. That is safest. However, if you have decided to become or already are sexually active, then you should know about safer sex. This is when you do all that you can to protect yourself and your partner by using protection like a latex condom and a spermicide foam, cream or jelly with nonoxynol-9 every time you have sex.

See Resource List for further information.

Sources: stds/

sex



Incest

A Fact Sheet

2002

What is incest?

Child sexual abuse is when an adult or adolescent uses a child sexually for his or her own sexual gratification or to feel powerful. Although men are most commonly the perpetrators and girls most often the victims, women can commit sexual abuse and boys can be the victims. Incest is sexual abuse where the perpetrator and the victim are family members.

Consider:

A study conducted in Canada revealed that, among adult Canadians, 53% of women and 31% of men were sexually abused when they were children.[3]

Many survivors do not remember that were abused until later in life. Often something happens to trigger a memory.

Survivors of incest and child sexual abuse often believe that they somehow caused the abuse, that they are to blame. This is encouraged by the perpetrator who often convinces the child that they are responsible for the abuse. This commonly results in feelings of intense self-blame and guilt.

Remember that children are NOT able to give informed consent to sexual activity because they cannot fully understand an adult-child sexual relationship and because there is a distinct power imbalance and abuse of authority in the adult-child relationship.

What is the impact of incest?

• Extreme self-doubt and hatred

• Low self-esteem

• Self-destructive behaviours, such as slashing or burning

• Eating disorders

• Disturbed sleep patterns; nightmares

• Flashbacks

• Depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts

• Distrust

• Inability to be “present” in a relationship

• Memory problems

• Family dysfunction

• Drug and alcohol use

Some of these can be considered methods of coping, for example, you may drink or use drugs to help you forget or to numb yourself to the pain of a flashback.

What can you do to help yourself?

• Remember, remember, remember it is not your fault.

• You are not to blame.

• Write the names and numbers of some close friends who you can call for support. Leave the list by the phone.

• Call a support centre or crisis line for support.

• Child sexual abuse is a crime. You may want to consider going to the police or a lawyer for information about your legal rights.

See Resource List for further information.

Source: Health Canada

Internet Safety

A Fact Sheet

2002

Consider:

Special tracing software has been developed for use in 411 emergency calls. The same software that is used to help a 411 caller can be, and is, used to retrieve personal information about you that you have stored online.

There are other dangers on the Internet as well…having credit card numbers and banking information stolen, being slandered, getting virused, being exposed to pictures and information you would rather not have to see… Just as the Internet is the gateway to information you want to find, it is also the gateway to information which is illegal, violent and upsetting.

General Guidelines:

1. NEVER give out personal information including your real name, your address, your phone number, the name of your school, your age, etc. If asked for that kind of information, say “That is not information I share.”

2. Use a nickname while you are online that doesn’t contain parts of your real name or distinctive information about you. It is also best to use a gender-neutral name so other people can’t tell if you are male or female. “Oaktree” is better than “Kara15” or “Jimmy12”. “Hotbabe19” will get you lots of unwanted and dangerous attention.

3. NEVER agree to meet anyone in real life, no matter how long you’ve talked with them online or how well you think you know them. Anyone can pretend to be someone they aren’t over the Internet.

4. Never give out your own or someone else’s password, even to people who say they work for your Internet server company. They could be a hacker.

5. NEVER give out your parents’ or your own credit card information without your parents’ permission.

6. Don’t ever open or accept files from people you don’t know in real life. They could contain a virus and do some real damage to your computer, your software, or attach itself to private information and be shared with everyone in your address book.

7. Don’t enter contests where they ask for personal information until a parent has reviewed the website. Anyone can put together a website claiming to be holding a contest, when they really just want to gather personal information.

8. Don’t respond to harassment. Don’t fight with people online. Just leave the area.

9. NEVER send out personal pictures of yourself or anyone else to people you’ve met online.

10. Don’t download anything unless you’ve asked your parents for permission. That goes for games, pictures, clipart, updates and programs. You never know what you might be downloading with it.

11. Install a virus scanner and regularly update its definitions. This could save your computer in a bunch of different situations.

12. Never open e-mail or attachments from someone you don’t know. If an e-mail comes in an attachment, delete it. Viruses are spread this way.

13. If you fill out a profile of yourself when you do decide to download or install a program or enter a contest, consider using false information where you can. If you have already included real information about yourself, you can always go back and change it.

14. Sign an Internet safety contract with your parents. Post it by your computer…this will help you remember the rules for safe Internet use.

What to do if trouble finds you?

1. Delete, delete, delete

2. Tell your parents, teacher, whomever you trust who is an adult

3. Tell the police if you are being stalked

See Resource List for further information.

On the Street

A Fact Sheet

2002

Consider:

A Coalition of Youth Work professionals estimated that there were 3,000 to 5,000 street youth in Toronto in 1990. A substantial portion of street youth leave home because of violence and abuse – one study estimated that more than 60% of young people living on the street experienced violence and abuse as a part of their life. On the street, this violence continues.

The majority, over 80%, of these young people use alcohol. Other drugs are also commonly used. One study indicated that over 80% of the young people on the street use cannabis, almost 60% use LSD and almost one-third use crack and cocaine.[4]

Running Away

A runaway is a child who has left home or left a supervised environment. They either run to escape or avoid something (e.g. abuse) or run to find or get something (e.g. excitement, acceptance). Problems that increase the risk of a child or youth running away include: child abuse or neglect, alcohol or other drug use, divorce or separations that are handled inappropriately, defiant behaviour combined with inappropriate involvement with an antisocial peer group, or death in the family that is handled inappropriately.

Warning Signs of Potential Runaway

• Attempts to communicate result in arguments and a failure to reach an acceptable agreement

• Child has a network of friends who are largely unsupervised, defiant, involved with drugs or other antisocial behaviour

• An increasing pattern of impulsive, irrational and emotionally abusive behaviour by either the parent or the teenager

• Experiences a family crisis and has no one to talk to

• Copes with conflict or stress by fleeing

• Feels s/he is a burden to families/friends

• Friends live away from home/have run away

• Repeated truancy

There are many dangers on the street; all efforts should be made by those involved in the youth’s life to find other solutions to running away.

Sexual exploitation

Many youth – both males and females - who run away, join gangs or live on the street, are at increased risk of being exploited in the sex trade. Pimps target youth who have recently moved to the street, befriending them, offering them food and a place to stay. In a short while, the adult may request payments for rent or food or clothing. It is at this point that the youth is “turned out” into the sex trade. Other youth may sell sexual services for food, rent money or drug money. Although it is not known how many youth are exploited in the sex trade, one can reasonably assume that well over ½ of the youth living on the streets have engaged in selling sex for money or food or housing at some point in their street career.

Gang violence

Youth who live on the street are at increased risk of joining a gang or being targeted by gang violence.

Why do young people join gangs?

• A search for love, structure and discipline

• A sense of belonging and commitment; a place of acceptance

• The need for recognition and power

• Companionship, training, excitement, activities

• A sense of self-worth and status

• The need for physical safety and protection

What are the risk factors for joining a gang?

• Racism: when young people encounter personal and/or systemic racism, the risks are increased.

• Poverty: young people living in poverty may find it difficult to meet basic physical and psychological needs which can lead to a lack of self-worth and pride.

• Lack of a support network: gang members often come from homes where they feel alienated or neglected. Risks increase when the community fails to provide sufficient youth programs or alternatives to violence.

• Media influences: TV, movies, radio and music all have profound effects on youth development.

How to avoid violence from gangs:

• Control your anger

• Think about the consequences of your actions before you take action

• Use humour to cool hostility

• Never fight with anyone using drugs or alcohol or who is likely to have a weapon

• Don’t make negative comments about someone’s race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, language, clothing, etc. etc.

See Resource List for further information.

Sources: childfind.ab.ca/runaways.htm

articles/RunawayPrevention.htm

coopext.cahe.wsu.edu

Racism

A Fact Sheet

2002

What is multiculturalism?

In Canada, multiculturalism is fundamental to our belief that all citizens are equal. Multiculturalism ensures that all citizens can keep their identities, can take pride in their ancestry and have a sense of belonging.

Consider:

A majority of immigrants coming to Canada today are from regions other than Europe. Between 1996 and 1998, Asia and the Pacific region were the major centres of immigration to Canada. Nearly half of the immigrant children and teens came from this region. This is the same case for youths aged 20 to 24. Many of these youths are located in the provinces of British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec. Most plan to remain in the Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver areas.[5]

What is Racism?

Racism is a belief that human capacities are based on race and that those racial differences result in one race being superior to all others.

What are the effects of Prejudice and Racism?

If you are a member of a group that is considered “inferior” on the basis of stereotypes, you may experience:

❖ Victimization through violence, assault, abuse, theft, etc.

❖ Suspicion, blame and guilt for crime and other harmful actions

❖ Rejection, alienation and isolation which contribute to low self-esteem and self-hatred

❖ Economic exploitation

❖ Emotional pain

❖ A sense of futility and lack of control

❖ Fear and mistrust of other people

❖ Many other negative feelings about yourself and others

If you are discriminating against a person or a group because you consider them to be inferior to you or to your group, you may be responsible for making someone feel this way.

Hate Crimes

Hate and bias activity are part of a spectrum of intolerance that can range from harassment and hate speech to physical violence and murder. Hate crime and bias-motivated activity are acts directed against persons who are members of a group identified by race, religion, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender or disability. Expressions of hate should have no place in Canadian society. They are against the law.

Professor Julian Roberts estimates that there are approximately 60,000 hate crimes committed annually in Canada’s 9 major urban centres. He further states that 61% are committed against racial minorities (mostly against Blacks), 23% against religious minorities (mostly against Jews), 11% against groups of different sexual orientation and 5% against ethnic minorities.[6]

What can be done about racism and prejudice?

❖ We can refuse to laugh at racist and sexist jokes

❖ We can refuse to take advantage of others

❖ We can refuse to see movies, read books or play video games that are racist and that promote violence and discrimination

❖ We can confront our friends and family if they express beliefs that are discriminatory

❖ We can learn about other cultures and religions

See Resource List for further information.

Source:

Canadian Heritage – Multiculturalism

Sexual Harassment

A Fact Sheet

2002

What is sexual harassment?

Sexual harassment is harassment on the basis of sex and can take a variety of forms from nonverbal communication, like lewd staring or catcalls to physical contact, like inappropriate touching and grabbing to sexual assault.

Sexual harassment is widespread and happens to students as well as people in the workforce. The American Psychological Association claims that between 40 to 60 percent of working women have experienced sexual harassment, as have similar proportions of female students in colleges and universities.

What are the effects of sexual harassment?

Being sexually harassed can be devastating to your psychological and physical well-being. Students who have been harassed often

← change classes,

← change group assignment partners,

← transfer schools, and

← sometimes change academic majors.

Psychological reactions can include:

← depression,

← anxiety,

← anger,

← fear,

← frustration,

← insecurity and

← confusion.

Other reactions can include:

← headaches,

← sleep disturbances,

← nightmares,

← panic reactions and

← changes in weight.

What can you do if you are harassed?

There is no one way to respond to harassment. Only you can decide what is best for you. Reaching out to others for information and support is often an important first step. However, be assured, if you ignore the situation, it will not go away. Most importantly, do not blame yourself for the harassment. It is not your fault. Studies have shown that victims of sexual harassment vary in every way possible; it is not the way you dress or look or walk or talk or behave. It is not about you; it is about the harasser.

Possible Strategies:

← Say NO to the harasser.

← Be direct.

← Write a letter to the harasser describing the incident and how it made you feel.

← Keep a record of what happened and when, including dates, times, places, who was there, who did what to whom.

← Tell someone. Tell anyone who can help.

See Resource List for further information.

Sources: American Psychological Association

sexual_harassment.htm



Sexual Orientation

A Fact Sheet

2002

What is sexual orientation?

Sexual orientation is determined by the sex or sexes you are romantically, physically, emotionally and sexually attracted to. Heterosexuals are individuals who are attracted to the opposite sex, homosexuals are individuals who are attracted to the same sex, while bisexuals are people who are attracted to both sexes. People who identify as transgendered feel that the bodies in which they were born are wrong, that is, a male may come to the conclusion that he would be happier as a female (note that this is very different from people who cross-dress). Transgendered people are not necessarily gay, although some can be. Homosexual men are usually referred to as gay; homosexual women are referred to as lesbians.

Inner Conflict and Confusion

There are many feelings you may experience as you develop self-acceptance. Because the world is hostile and there is prejudice towards gays and lesbians, it is not uncommon to feel confused, isolated, lonely, guilty or depressed. Some feelings like depression, low self-esteem and suicidal thoughts indicate you need to find some professional help learning to accept your orientation.

Do I have to have sex to know?

No. You don’t have to have sex to know if you’re heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual. It’s better to wait until you’re emotionally ready and you find someone you care about. Sex can create more confusion than it can resolve. If you decide that you want to have sex, it is important to remember to protect yourself and your partner and practice safer sex.

Safer Sex

Like everyone, if you have decided to have sex – with whomever – you must practice safer sex. Read the Fact Sheet on Healthy Sexuality, talk to your doctor or AIDS Clinic. This goes for females too. Safer sex isn’t just for gay men!

Coming Out

Hiding that you are gay is called “being in the closet”. When you begin to tell others that you are gay is called “coming out”. You can choose who you tell, how you tell and when you tell. It is up to you. There is no deadline and no rules, except that you have to be ready. There are positives and negatives related to coming out. Read books and talk to other gay people about their experiences. There are many websites as well that can help you think about whether you want to come out and to which people in your life.

Gay Bashing

Violence against homosexuals is an extreme form of homophobia, yet almost all gay youth have experienced violence, in one form or another, because of their sexual orientation. Gay bashing is a hate crime and is against the law. Get support from someone who can help; consider reporting the crime to the police.

See Resource List for further information.

Sources: homosexuality.htm



empowerment

Smoking

A Fact Sheet

2002

Consider:

Smoking among adolescents of both genders has increased in recent years. The prevalence of cigarette smoking among young women in 1999 was 27% higher than in 1991. (Girls Inc.)

Over 80% of adults who are addicted to tobacco began smoking when they were adolescents. (Girls Inc.)

Among young women who currently smoke, 92.3% believe persons can get addicted to cigarettes, yet 23.8% think it’s safe to smoke one to two years then quit. (Girls Inc.)

← The average number of children and adolescents who smoke – 4,500,000

← The average age of an adolescent who tries cigarettes – 11.6

← The percent of smokers 12 to 17 years old who say they regret their decision to smoke – 70%

What’s the real deal with tobacco?

Tobacco is toxic to your body. It causes more health problems and early deaths than all illegal drugs combined. On top of that, tobacco is addictive. This means that once you start using it, your body starts to need it. The longer you use tobacco, and the more you use, the harder it is to stop.

What’s really in tobacco?

Disgusting things that you would never think about putting in your body, like tar, carbon monoxide and chemicals like DDT, arsenic and formaldehyde (a chemical that preserves dead animals in your biology lab).

Other Reasons not to smoke:

• Expensive

• Bad breath

• Stained teeth, hands and fingers

• Cough or sore throat

• Problems breathing

• Feeling tired and out of breath

• Wrinkles

• Arguments with parents and friends

• Cancer risk

• Heart disease risk

• Gum disease risk

• Bad smell in your clothes, hair and skin

• Cigarette burns in your car or on your clothes

And More Reasons[7]:

← Each day in Ontario about 35 people die from smoking – one every forty minutes.

← The number of people who die from smoking is five times as high as those who die from traffic accidents, suicide and AIDS combined.

← Four out of five lung cancers are caused by smoking. Nine out of ten people who get lung cancer die of the disease, usually within two years of diagnosis.

← Smokers rarely begin the habit after age 20.

Steps to make quitting easier

• Pick a stop date

• Make a list of the reasons why you want to quit and keep it handy

• Keep track of where, when and why you use tobacco; plan what you’ll do instead of smoking

• Throw away all of your tobacco and anything connected with smoking

• Tell your friends that you are quitting and ask them not to pressure you

Things to do instead of smoking

• Chew sugarless gum

• Call a friend

• Chew sunflower seeds, ground mint leaves or caffeine-free herbal tea leaves

• Go to a movie or another place where you can’t smoke

• Take a walk or work out

• Remind yourself why you want to quit

Will I gain weight when I quit?

Some people gain a few pounds. Others may lose. The main reason why some people gain weight is because they eat more food as a substitute for smoking. You can avoid gaining weight by watching how much you eat, staying busy and working out.

See Resource List for further information.

Sources: smoking/



Stress

A Fact Sheet

2002

What is stress?

Stress is what you feel when you react to pressure, either from the outside world or from inside yourself. Stress is a normal reaction to life for people of all ages. It’s caused by your body’s instinct to protect itself from emotional or physical pressure or, in extreme situations, from danger.

Signs you are feeling stressed:

• Feeling depressed, edgy, guilty, tired

• Having headaches, stomachaches, trouble sleeping

• Laughing or crying for no reason

• Blaming other people for bad things that happen to you

• Only seeing the down side of a situation

• Feeling like things that you used to enjoy aren’t fun or are a burden

• Resenting other people or your responsibilities

Things that fight stress:

• Eating good meals

• Drinking less caffeine

• Getting enough sleep

• Exercising

• Being healthy

How can I deal with stress?

• Make a list of what’s causing you stress

• Take control of what you can

• Give yourself a break

• Don’t commit yourself to things you can’t or don’t want to do

• Find someone to talk to

I’ve tried dealing with it, but I just feel like giving up…

This is a danger sign. Stress can become too much to deal with. It can lead to such awful feelings that you may think about hurting or even killing yourself. When you feel like giving up, it may seem like things will never change. But the way to start liking life again is to talk to someone right away. Talking about your feelings is the first step to learning to deal with them and starting to feel better.

See Resource List for further information.

Source: stress/

Suicide

A Fact Sheet

2002

Consider:

In 1997, there were 3,681 suicide deaths reported in Canada. For the past fifteen years, at least 3,500 Canadians have taken their lives each year.

In 1997, there were 261 deaths by suicide in Canada by youth aged 15 to 19 years (207 males, 54 females).

In Canada, the ratio of male to female suicide is approximately 4:1. In 1997, 767 Canadian women and 2,914 men completed suicide.

In Canada, the highest average rate (per 100,000) of suicide (1992-1996) occurred in the Northwest Territories at 31.8 suicides/100,000. The Yukon and Quebec had the second and third highest rates respectively. Newfoundland had the lowest rate at 8.1 suicides/100,000.[8]

During the five year period 1986 to 1990, the average suicide rate among Native Canadian youth 10 to 19 years of age was 37 per 100,000. The suicide rate is higher for males, at 54, than for females, at 19. The suicide rate for Native youth is much higher than for the Canadian population as a whole.[9]

Common Misconceptions about Suicide

People who talk about suicide won’t really do it.

NOT TRUE. Almost everyone who commits or attempts suicide has given some clue or warning. Do not ignore suicide threats.

If a person is determined to commit suicide, nothing will stop her/him.

NOT TRUE. Even the most severely depressed person has mixed feelings about death. Most suicidal people do not want death; they want the pain to stop.

People who commit suicide are people who were unwilling to seek help.

NOT TRUE. Studies of suicide victims have shown that more than half had sought medical help within six months before their deaths.

Talking about suicide may give someone the idea.

NOT TRUE. You don’t give a suicidal person morbid ideas by talking about suicide. Bringing up the subject and discussing it openly is one of the most helpful things you can do.

Common Feelings that may be Expressed:

• Can’t stop the pain

• Can’t think clearly

• Can’t make decisions

• Can’t see any way out

• Can’t sleep, eat or work

• Can’t get out of depression

• Can’t make the sadness go away

• Can’t see a future without pain

• Can’t see themselves as worthwhile

• Can’t get someone’s attention

• Can’t seem to get control

Warning Signs

• Talks about committing suicide; jokes about suicide; makes statements about being reunited with deceased loved ones; is preoccupied with death and dying

• Has trouble eating or sleeping

• Experiences drastic changes in behaviour

• Withdraws from friends and/or social activities; Loses interest in hobbies, work, school, etc.

• Prepares for death by making out a will and making final arrangements; visiting people to say good-bye; Gives away prized possessions

• Has attempted suicide before; history of suicide in the family

• Takes unnecessary risks

• Has had recent severe losses

• Loses interest in personal appearance

• Increases their use of alcohol or drugs or other self-destructive behaviour (e.g. unprotected sex, self-injurious behaviour (e.g. slashing))

• Reports of suicide “clusters” have increased (where one suicide appears to trigger several others within a group, community or school)

TALK TO SOMEONE; GET HELP.

See Resource List for further information.

Sources: suicideinfo.ca

.understandingsuicide.htm

acadia



Teen Pregnancy

A Fact Sheet

2002

Consider:

In 1991, more than 38,000 young women under the age of 20 became pregnant in Canada. While 36% had therapeutic abortions, over 24,000 carried their babies to term.[10] In 1991, about two thirds of all teenage pregnancies were to women who were 18 and 19 years old; approximately one-third were to 15 to 17 year olds. This means that over 13,000 young women between 15 and 17 years of age became pregnant.

What are the implications of teen pregnancy?

• Teens are more likely to have a baby that weighs less than other babies at birth. These low-weight babies are more likely to have serious illnesses. Teens are still growing themselves and pregnancy adds an extra strain on their bodies.

• Teen mothers are less likely to complete high school, (only one-third receive a high school diploma).[11]

• Teen mothers are more likely to end up on welfare (nearly 80 percent of unmarried teen mothers end up on welfare).

• The sons of teen mothers are 13 percent more likely to end up in prison while teen daughters are 22 percent more likely to become teen mothers themselves.

• Nearly 40 percent of the fathers of children born to teen mothers are age 20 or older. Only 20 percent of the fathers marry the teen mothers of their first children.[12]

Methods of Birth Control:

If you don’t want to get pregnant but are sexually active, you need to discuss methods of birth control with your doctor or your family planning clinic. Some options include:

• abstinence

• condoms (male and female)

• contraceptive creams, foams and jellies

• contraceptive sponge

• Depo-Provera (hormonal injections)

• Diaphragm

• the Pill

• Spermicides

For more detailed information about methods of birth control and how they will fit with your life choices and lifestyle, discuss with your doctor.

How to tell if you are pregnant?

• A missed period (especially if your periods are usually regular)

• A short, scant period

• Breasts that are sore, swollen or tender

• You feel sick to your stomach or you are vomiting

• You need to urinate more often than usual

• You are feeling more tired than usual

• You have noticed changes in your digestion

• Mood swings

• Go to a family planning clinic or your doctor and ask to take a pregnancy test

If I am pregnant, what are my options?

You should discuss your options with someone who is informed like your family doctor or someone at a family planning clinic. They can help. options include:

1. Having the baby and taking care of it

2. Having the baby and placing the baby for adoption

3. Having the baby and having a foster parent care for the baby for a short time

4. Having the baby and living with supportive adults for support, guidance and assistance

5. Having an abortion

See Resource List for further information.

Sources: pregnancy.htm

birthcontrol.htm

Violence in School

A Fact Sheet

2002

Consider:

Violence in schools can take a variety of forms including threats, fights, weapons, gang activity and harassment based on gender, faith, race or sexual orientation. It is all unacceptable and intolerable.

According to an Environics Research poll in 1993, 93% of adults say violence against staff and students in schools is a concern. Seventy percent of respondents reported that they are “very” concerned.[13]

School Violence – Warning Signs

• Unusual interest or preoccupation with weapons

• Cruelty to pets or other animals

• Talking constantly about violence

• Depression, mood swings, suicide threats, perceptions of hopelessness

• Involvement or interest in gangs

• Self-isolation from friends, family, teachers

• Significant changes in behaviour, appearance, dropping grades

• Constant refusal to follow rules and disregard for authority

• Disciplinary problems in school or criminal activity in community

• Lack of anger management skills

• Lack of interest in school

• Obsession with violent movies, TV and/or games

• NOTE: no single indicator should be reason for concern, however multiple indicators may suggest potential risk

What is bullying?

An individual who uses power and aggression with the aim of hurting another individual repeatedly is considered a bully. The aggression can be physical, verbal and/or psychological.

Studies in several countries have shown consistently that at least 15% of students in school are involved: about 9% are victims; about 7% bully others; more students in younger grades are victimized; boys are more likely to bully than girls. Girls are less likely than boys to be the victims of bullying.

If you are Being Bullied, ask an adult for help. Do not be ashamed; it is not your fault. The school should help you.

See Resource List for further information.

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[1] Rosen, L., Shafer, C., Dummer, G., Cross, L., Deuman, G. and Malmberg, S. (1988). Presence of pathogenic weight-control behaviours among Native women and girls. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 7, p. 807-811.

[2] Day, Dian. (1990). Young women in Nova Scotia: A study of attitudes, behaviour and aspirations. Halifax: Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women, p. 45-48)

[3] C. Bagley. (1988). Child Sexual Abuse in Canada: Further analysis of the 1983 National Survey. Ottawa: Health and Welfare Canada.

[4] Canadian Institute of Child Health. (1994). The Health of Canada’s children: A CICH profile (2nd edition). Ottawa: Canadian Institute of Child Health.

[5] Canadian Council on Social Development. (2000). Immigrant youth in Canada.

[6] Canadian Heritage – Muticulturalism. pch.gc.ca/multi.

[7] Talk it out: A parent’s guide to kids and smoking. Ontario Ministry of Health.

[8] First four facts to consider from suicideinfo.ca

[9] Canadian Institute of Child Health. (1994). The Health of Canada’s children: A CICH profile (2nd edition). Ottawa: Canadian Institute of Child Health.

[10] Statistics Canada, Centre for Health Information.

[11] Moore, K.A., Driscoll, A.K., & Lindberg, L.D. (1998). A Statistical Portrait of Adolescent Sex, Contraception, and Childbearing. Washington, DC: The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy.

[12] National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. (1997). Whatever Happened to Childhood? The Problem of Teen Pregnancy in the United States. Washington, DC.

[13] Canadian Institute of Child Health. (1994). The health of Canada’s children: A CICH profile (2nd edition). Ottawa: Canadian Institute of Child Health.

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