Alcohol & British Columbians
According to a recent national survey on alcohol habits, BC is home to thousands of people who rarely question the amount they drink or the potential harm they can cause to themselves and others while intoxicated. 40% of British Columbians at least occasionally drink above low-risk levels and put their health and safety, and that of others, at risk in the short term.
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Alcohol 101: A Crash Course on Drinking
This 4-page fact sheet for teens describes what's in alcohol and how it works, why people drink, why teens drink, and things to remember if they're going to drink, things to think about before they take their first sip, and what a standard drink is.
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Alcohol Myths & Facts
Myths about alcohol abound in BC. To set the record straight, we've compiled a list of the most common misconceptions about the substance and its users, and followed each with the cold hard facts.
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Alcohol Reality Check (online version)
While most people in BC consume alcohol in moderate amounts most of the time, over 40% of residents at least occasionally drink at levels that expose themselves and others to increased risk of harm. Adult and youth consumers can now use CARBC's Alcohol Reality Check to see what level of risk is associated with their consumption.
Alcohol Reality Check (paper version)
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Building Self-Esteem and Resilience in your Child
Studies show that kids who are confident and able to manage stress and change are less likely to develop substance use problems as teenagers and adults. Wtih self-esteem and resilience, your child will be better able to make healthy decisions about tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs, and bounce back from the choices that aren't so healthy.
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Canadian NGOs and Drug Policy
This primer seeks to address issues such as why Canadian NGOs should care about drug policy, who controls drug policy, what Canadian NGOs can do about drug policy, and key policy principles important to them. (7p)
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Experimentation vs. Problem Substance Use - how to tell if your teen is at risk
Teens turn to tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs for a variety of reasons. As a parent, it's often hard to know if your teen is simply in the "experimentation phase" and will soon grow out of it, or if they have a problem that requires your help and perhaps the support of substance use professionals.
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Going Out and Staying Safe
Going out with your friends sometimes means being faced with the tough decision to drink alcohol or take other drugs. If you choose to use alcohol or drugs with your friends, be smart about it. To help you and your friends stay safe, this 4-page fact sheet helps you make a plan before you go out, and sets out what to do if something goes wrong.
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Hosting a Teen Party: How to deal with the alcohol question
Your teen asks if he can have a party. You want to say "yes", but you have some concerns. You know that many teenagers use alcohol, and some use other drugs. What if your teen begs you to buy beer for the party? What if your teen's friends bring over their own bottles? Should you be disturbed or comforted by the fact your teen isn't trying to hide their interest in drinking?
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If you think your Teen is on Methamphetamine
Suspecting your teen's been taking meth is no picnic, and it's understandable that you might feel scared and helpless. You might even be furious with your child for making such poor choices in friends and activities, and for seemingly giving up on his chances of having a normal, productive life. But is this the best way to react? Are you solving the problem or starting a new one? (4p)
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