Unit: Alcohol and other Impairments

The primary learning outcomes desirable from this lesson are as follows:

1) Understand some legal issues and possible legal consequences of driving impaired with alcohol.

2) An understanding of how many drinks would raise the BAC of a person to various levels.

3) Understand the effects of marijuana and its impairment upon the driving task.

4) An understanding that marijuana also a serious risk factor in collisions and fatalities.

5) A basic understanding of the drug Ecstasy and its risk of impairment upon the driving task.

Types of Impairment

Types of Impairment

We will continue with the drug of ALCOHOL

then consider other impairments

12) The alcoholic causes most of the alcohol related fatalities on our roads & highways today.

FALSE

Alcohol survey questions 12-13

It’s the social, occasional drinker that is responsiblefor most of the collisions. They are often unaware that they are dangerous.

13) How much a person drinks before driving should be their own decision.

FALSE

The irresponsible consequences of drunk driving impact upon so

many others in so many devastating ways.

5-6% alcohol

Wine

12%

WhiskeyVodka

Rum, etc

Shot glass

How do they determine BAC?

40% and higher

Blood Alcohol

Concentration

describes the

alcohol in a

person blood

expressed as

weight per unit

of volume.

A blood sample will be taken if a person is unconsciousA blood sample will be taken if a person is unconscious

.16

There is no way to beat the breathalyzer

100 lb.120 lb.

140 lb.160 lb.

180 lb.

200 lb.220 lb.

240 lb.

Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)Estimated Percent Blood Alcohol

By Body weight and number of drinks

.

1) For your body weight, how many drinks take you close to the .08 DUI level? .08 DUI level?

100 lb.120 lb.

140 lb.160 lb.

180 lb.

200 lb.220 lb.

240 lb.

Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)Estimated Percent Blood Alcohol

By Body weight and number of drinks

2) The number of drinks that will raise your BAC to .4.4

.

Many provinces have adapted this level

In cases where a DUI fatality has occurred – many offenders

are sentenced to prison

What about

teenagers and young

adults?

• Automatic license revocation appears to be an effective measure to reduce drunk driving.

• But automatic license revocation along with a mandatory jail sentence appears to be even more effective than just automatic license revocation.

• Passing mandatory alcohol and drug testing in fatal crashes would help promote successful prosecution of drunk and drugged drivers.

Other legal measures• Graduated licensing laws for youthful drivers which

impose parental practice hours, curfews, and passenger limitations.

• Zero tolerance laws for drivers under the age of 21

Let’s now consider marijuana . . .

Zero tolerance laws state that any amount of alcoholfound in youthful drivers (even a trace) will result in

the loss of their drivers license for a specified periodwith strict and costly measures required to acquire

a license at a future date.

• Marijuana is a powerful mind altering drug that enters the bloodstream quickly and affects the brain and other parts of the body.

• Comes from the hemp plant, Cannabis sativa, and is commonly called “pot, grass or weed”

• Marijuana is a green, brown, or gray mixture of dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers of the hemp plant.

• All forms of marijuana are mind-altering, they change how the brain works.

• The main ingredient in marijuana is THC. Marijuana also contains more than 400 chemicals.

Short term effects:• problems with memory and reality• distorted perception (sights, sounds, time, touch) • trouble with thinking and problem-solving• loss of coordination, slowed reaction time• increased heart rate, anxiety • loss of side vision and a fixation on objects

Marijuana is strongly absorbed by fatty tissues in various organs… especially the brain. Generally, traces of THC can be detected by

standard urine testing method several days after smoking.

Marijuana is strongly absorbed by fatty tissues in various organs… especially the brain. Generally, traces of THC can be detected by

standard urine testing method several days after smoking.

Long-term effects of marijuana use?

Findings so far show that regular use of marijuana or THC may play a role in some kinds of cancer and in problems with the respiratory, and immune systems.

It is known that marijuana contains some of the same, and sometimes even more, of the cancer-causing chemicals found in tobacco smoke. Studies show that someone who smokes five joints per week may be taking in as many cancer-causing chemicals as someone who smokes a full pack of cigarettes every day.

Findings so far show that regular use of marijuana or THC may play a role in some kinds of cancer and in problems with the respiratory, and immune systems.

It is known that marijuana contains some of the same, and sometimes even more, of the cancer-causing chemicals found in tobacco smoke. Studies show that someone who smokes five joints per week may be taking in as many cancer-causing chemicals as someone who smokes a full pack of cigarettes every day.

Long-term effects of marijuana use?

What does marijuana do to brain?Some studies show that when people have smoked large amounts of marijuana for years, the drug takes its toll on mental functions. Heavy or daily use of marijuana affects the parts of the brain that control memory, attention, and learning.Smoking marijuana causes some changes in the brain that are like those cause by cocaine, heroin, and alcohol. Some researchers believe that these changes may put a person more at risk of becoming addicted to other drugs, such as cocaine or heroin. Scientist are still learning about the many ways that marijuana could affect the brain.

• The drug can impair judgment, memory, depth perception, and coordination.

• A marijuana user might feel that the effects have worn off and safe driving is possible after a few hours.

I’mokay

• In reality, drivers abilities remain impaired for a long time. Effects can last up to 24 hours after smoking marijuana.

• Marijuana use can also make it difficult to judge distances and react to signals and sounds on the road.

I’m notokay

Driving experiments show that marijuana affects a wide range of skills needed for safe driving: -- thinking and reflexes are slowed, making it hard for drivers to respond to sudden, unexpected events.

Also, a driver's ability to "track" (stay in lane) through curves, to brake quickly, and to maintain speed and the proper distance between cars is affected.

Driving experiments show that marijuana affects a wide range of skills needed for safe driving: -- thinking and reflexes are slowed, making it hard for drivers to respond to sudden, unexpected events.

Also, a driver's ability to "track" (stay in lane) through curves, to brake quickly, and to maintain speed and the proper distance between cars is affected.

Research shows that these skills are impaired for at least 4-6 hours after smoking a single marijuana cigarette, long after the "high" is gone. If a person drinks alcohol, along with using marijuana, the risk of an accident greatly increases. Marijuana presents a definite danger on the road.

Research shows that these skills are impaired for at least 4-6 hours after smoking a single marijuana cigarette, long after the "high" is gone. If a person drinks alcohol, along with using marijuana, the risk of an accident greatly increases. Marijuana presents a definite danger on the road.

NIDA Government Research

• Recent studies of automobile accident victims show that from 6 to 12 percent of non-fatally injured drivers and 4 to 16 percent of fatally injured drivers had tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, in their bloodstream.

A large majority of subjects who tested positive for THC also tested positive for alcohol.

Combining alcohol and marijuana greatly impairs driving ability

Many penalties and consequences for driving under the influence of

marijuana and other drugs are similar to that of alcohol.

Can you read what is written on the bumper?

This car was confiscated from a drug arrest

ABUSE Effects: There is a MYTH that doing Ecstasy once in a while will not hurt you. Besides that fact that there are many FAKE ecstasy pills being sold and causing deaths. Just doing one pill can cause a major burnout. Getting high on Ecstasy can lead you to do things that you normally wouldn’t such as risky unprotected sex or taking other unwise chances. People will build a tolerance to ecstasy and soon you will be doing more than one pill just to get the same effect as before. Ecstasy is psychologically addicting. Ecstasy users commonly report a "burnout" for one-two days afterward, characterized by tiredness, soreness, and dullness of the senses and mental processes. It is possible that this is a result of temporary depletion of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, and that the brain needs time to replenish them The use of Ecstasy has been linked with a wide range of abnormalities such as impaired memory, chronic depression, anxiety, panic attacks, sleeplessness, "de-personalization", "de-realization", reduced cognitive ability, flashbacks, hallucinations, and paranoid delusions. Persons taking large quantities of Ecstasy in a binge pattern of use are at risk. Heavy users might develop depression and anxiety in the future. A user becomes a veritable neurological time-bomb. 

 Withdrawal Symptoms:Ecstasy is Psychologically addicting and the most common withdrawal of this addiction is DEPRESSION. Overdose Symptoms: Those who overdose usually experience overheating, panic attacks, faintness, severe dehydration and loss of consciousness. Ecstasy raises your body temperature and makes you restless so you have to keep on moving and you literally overheat and cook your insides. Some People who have died from Ecstasy have had body temps over 108 degrees.Another way people die is there are Fake ecstasy Pills and you really don’t know what drug you are actually taking. Drug dealers are making these pills and they really don’t care if they use the right chemicals or not. This so-called "club drug" MDMA continues to be used by millions of Americans across the country, despite evidence of its potential harmful effects. 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, or ecstasy) has gained a deceptive reputation as a "safe" drug among its users. This illegal drug, which has both stimulant and psychedelic properties, is often taken for the feelings of well-being, stimulation, and the distortions in time and sensory perceptions that it produces. MDMA first became popular in the "rave" and all-night party scene, but its use has now spread to a wide range of settings and demographic subgroups. According to the 2004 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, more than 11 million people have tried MDMA at least once.

Myths abound about both the acute effects and long-term consequences of this drug, often called "X". Indeed, one reason for the rapid rise in the drug’s popularity is that many young people believe that MDMA is a new safe drug. But MDMA is not new to the scientific community, as many laboratories began investigating this drug in the 1980s, and the picture emerging from their efforts is of a drug that is far from benign. For example, MDMA can cause a dangerous increase in body temperature that can lead to kidney failure. MDMA can also increase heart rate, blood pressure, and heart wall stress. Animal studies show that MDMA can damage specific neurons in the brain. In humans, the research is not conclusive at this time; however, a number of studies show that long-term, heavy MDMA users suffer cognitive deficits, including problems with memory.

NIDA-supported research is developing a clearer picture of the potential dangers of MDMA, and this Research Report summarizes the latest findings. We hope that this compilation of scientific information will inform readers and help the public recognize the risks of MDMA use.

Nora D. Volkow, M.D.DirectorNational Institute on Drug Abuse

Driving when on ecstasyLike driving under the influence of any drug, driving under the influence of ecstasy is illegal. Driving after you've taken ecstasy is dangerous because it can make you feel over-confident even though your judgment and coordination will be impaired and you might feel as if you're okay to drive.  Blurred vision or hallucinations can also put you and your passengers in more danger.Usually the affects of ecstasy start within an hour of taking the drug and they may last between 3-6 hours. It is important to remember that this varies from person to person. Besides reduced cognitive ability, some of the immediate effects of taking ecstasy can include: • Increased feelings of confidence and wellbeing • Increased feeling of closeness to others • Faster heart rate and sweating • Clenched jaw or teeth grinding• Higher body temperature and blood pressure • Feeling sick • Feeling anxious or paranoid; • Dehydration • Not being able to sleep (insomnia) • Hallucinations- seeing, hearing or sensing things that are not really there • Kidney failure.

Crashing or coming downSome users of ecstasy experience a dramatic worsening of mood as the peak effects wear off (often called "crashing" or "coming down"). This is caused by both physiological and psychological factors. Physiologically, the serotonin (that caused the high and provided energy) have been absorbed or used up by the brain, which makes one feel sad, scared, annoyed and exhausted afterwards.

It is obvious that with many of these symptoms, anyone under the influence of this drug will be an impaired driver. Some studies suggest regular Ecstasy use to be associated with higher risk of accidents which support the supposition that ecstasy use may be a significant factor in traffic accidents. As this drug has not been studied as extensively as alcohol or marijuana in driving related situations, further research should verify earlier studies that conclude the effects of ecstasy significantly impairs the driving task.

Review time…how much do you remember?

5) Courts are increasingly sentencing DUI offenders to _______ if their crime results in serious injury or fatality.

2) True or False: A BAC of .4 -.5 can cause death.______

3) The DUI level in most provinces for people 21 years and older is: ______

6) Zero tolerance for drivers under the age of 21 means they cannot drive with any amount of _______ or illegal drugs.

1) 340 ml. of beer, 170ml. of wine, and a shot glass of whiskey, vodka, rum, etc., all contain about the ___________amount of alcohol.

4) Teenagers who consume 3-4 drinks are __________more likely to be involved in a alcohol related fatality.

8) Distorted perception, slowed reaction time, and loss of side vision are common effects of THC upon the brain. These are examples of _________________

7) Marijuana is a powerful ____________ drug that quickly effects the brain, with _____being the main active ingredient.

9) True or False: Medical findings so far, have shown that smoking marijuana may play a role in various types of cancer. _________

10) Smoking marijuana can have lingering effects upon drivers…some effects even lasting up to _____after using.

11) True or False: The alcoholic causes most of the alcohol related fatalities on roads and highways today. ______

13) Penalties for driving under the influence of marijuana and other drugs are similar to that of __________

12) Drinking alcohol and using marijuana will _________ ___________ the risk of a collision.

14) True or False: Mixing alcohol or marijuana with any other drugs including medications can be very dangerous.

_________

15) True or False: It’s a free country…how much a person drinks before driving should be their own decision. _______

16) True or False: There is a myth that doing Ecstasy once in a while will not hurt you. ________

18) MDMA (Ecstasy) can cause a dangerous increase in _______________ that can lead to kidney failure.

17) Getting high on Ecstasy can lead you to do things that you normally wouldn’t such as risky unprotected sex or taking other unwise chances. _________

19) Driving on Ecstasy is dangerous because it can make you feel _________________ even though your judgment and coordination are impaired and you might feel as if you're okay to drive. 

20) Ecstasy is psychologically addicting and the most common withdrawal of this drug is _______________

End of lesson

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