8.ATOD.2

What does this standard mean a child will know and be able to do?

8.ATOD.2.1 Explain the impact of alcohol and other drug use on vehicle crashes, injuries, violence, and risky sexual behavior.
Alcohol abuse kills some 75,000 Americans each year and shortens the lives of these people by an average of 30 years. Alcohol abuse is the third leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. (behind tobacco use, and poor eating and exercise habits). Approximately 5,000 people in 2001 died from cirrhosis of the liver, cancer and other diseases linked to drinking alcohol consumption and another 50,000 died from car crashes and other mishaps caused by excessive alcohol use. Drinking alcohol can cause a person to become aggressive, make a person feel invincible, and give a person a false sense of confidence with little respect for the safety and well being of others. Alcohol may lead to arguments and fighting between individuals. Alcohol impairs one’s judgment and violence may be used to resolve a conflict that would have been resolved in a nonviolent manner, had the individuals involved, not been impaired by alcohol. People who drink alcohol may blackout and leave themselves exposed to injury, assault, or other risks. Alcohol can inhibit one’s judgment in relation to sexual feelings and decision- making. A person under the influence is less inhibited and may not protect self from sexual victimization or unprotected sexual intercourse. Drinking alcohol impairs reaction time and coordination leading to unintentional injury of self and others.
 * The student will summarize the health risks associated with using alcohol and other drugs and motor vehicle crashes.
 * The student will summarize the association between alcohol and other drugs and violent crimes, injury, and risky sexual behavior.
 * The student will predict the potential negative effects of consuming alcohol and other drugs.

8.ATOD.2.2 Evaluate the magnitude and likelihood of the risks associated with the use of performance-enhancing drugs.
Performance-enhancing drugs are typically used to gain some type of competitive sport-related advantage or to improve appearance to look more buff. Some users take steroids, also known as anabolic-androgen steroids. Other performance-enhancing drugs may include androstenedione, human growth hormone, erythropoietin, diuretics, creatine and stimulants. Use of anabolic steroids without a physician’s prescription is illegal. Depending on the level of competition, many performance-enhancing drugs are banned and athletes testing positive for these substances can be removed from competition and previous awards and records can be disqualified.

Most performance-enhancing drugs are taken by mouth or through injection with the intentions of growing muscle mass, improving athletic performance, and (in some cases) improving appearance. Potential side effects of performance-enhancing drugs in men include growth of breast tissue, baldness, shrunken testicles, infertility; while women may develop a deeper voice, enlarged genitals, increased body hair, and baldness. Both men and women may experience severe acne, increased risk of tendonitis or tendon ruptures, liver abnormalities and tumors, hypertension, heart and circulatory problems, aggressive behaviors, rage, and violence, psychiatric disorders, and drug dependence.
 * The student will explain the motivation for a young person to try performance-enhancing drugs.
 * The student will summarize the risks associated with the use of performance-enhancing drugs.
 * The student will encourage others to avoid performance-enhancing drugs.