1. SFUSD Alcohol Awareness December 9, 2009 Ralph Cantor

2. What’s the big deal about kids drinking anyways??? Demeaning behaviors Sexual behaviors Risk taking behaviors Accidents Learned behavior for partying and stress Damage to the developing brain- pre 18

3. Recent AMA Report on Brain Damage Risks Under 18 “The brain goes through dynamic changes during adolescence, and alcohol can seriously damage long and short term growth processes…Short- term or moderate drinking impairs learning and memory far more in youth than adults.”

4. Date Rape – one to two-thirds of teen sexual assaults involve alcohol 18% of Females/ 39% Males say it is acceptable for a boy to force sex if the girl is stoned or drunk 40% of children who start drinking before age 15 will become alcoholics In television 9 out of 10 drinkers are portrayed as having no effects or only positive outcomes from their alcohol consumption Alcohol and Teenagers:

5. 1. Reduced sensitivity to intoxication 2. Increased sensitivity to social disinhibitions 3. Greater adverse effects to cognitive functioning Most certainly YES Are adolescents more susceptible to alcohol than adults?

6. Teenage developmental tasks Boredom/ Developing Interests Good times Stress Social Skills Academic Skills Self Identity

7. Reasons for delaying message Safety Development of the prefrontal cortex Pruning and myelination Neuroadaptivity: dull pleasure center Short circuiting developmental tasks Greater need for dopamine Pharmacological solutions resulting in pharmacological insults The research

8. Percentage of U.S. Adults Aged 18 and Older Dependent on Alcohol, By Age of Drinking Onset

9. Prevention Factors Supportive family (tuned in, time together, supervision, fair rules/boundaries) Interests and exercise Youth are connected (school, activities) Social Skills Resiliency (coping with stress, celebration) A clear message – NOT NOW

10. Andrew Weil – Unhealthy relationship  Ignorance that the substance is a drug and what it does to the body  Loss of desired effect w/increasing frequency  Difficulty separating from the drug  Impairment of health or social function Our Own Self Assessment

11. OPEN DISCUSSION

12. Ralph Cantor (510) 653-9410 rjcantor@aol.com Contact Information