Alcohol
· Drug Class: Sedatives/depressants
· Street Names/Aliases: Booze, alchy
· Types/Forms: Beer, wine, wine cooler, liquor. All forms are taken orally in liquid form.
· Effects: Relaxes and lowers inhibitions. Inhibits judgement, coordination, reaction time, and motor skills. Can cause slurred speech, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. Depresses breathing rate, heart rate, and blood pressure.
· Risks: Hangover (severe headache, dizziness, nausea). Psychological addiction (called alcoholism). Weight gain, memory loss, mood swings, skin problems, liver damage, stomach ulcer, depression, anxiety, irritability, elevated blood pressure and heart rate. Stroke, heart failure, cancer, death.
· Pricing: Relatively inexpensive in comparison to other drugs. Adolescents also commonly steal alcohol from their parents.
· Penalties: Maximum penalties for underage drinking are a $300 fine and a 90 day license suspension. (First offense)
· Street Names/Aliases: Booze, alchy
· Types/Forms: Beer, wine, wine cooler, liquor. All forms are taken orally in liquid form.
· Effects: Relaxes and lowers inhibitions. Inhibits judgement, coordination, reaction time, and motor skills. Can cause slurred speech, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. Depresses breathing rate, heart rate, and blood pressure.
· Risks: Hangover (severe headache, dizziness, nausea). Psychological addiction (called alcoholism). Weight gain, memory loss, mood swings, skin problems, liver damage, stomach ulcer, depression, anxiety, irritability, elevated blood pressure and heart rate. Stroke, heart failure, cancer, death.
· Pricing: Relatively inexpensive in comparison to other drugs. Adolescents also commonly steal alcohol from their parents.
· Penalties: Maximum penalties for underage drinking are a $300 fine and a 90 day license suspension. (First offense)
For more information, read Just the Facts: Alcohol by Pamela G. Richards, M. Ed., published by Reed Educational & Professional Publishing in Chicago, IL in 2001.