Most youth report not using substances, including alcohol, cannabis, vapes, prescription drug use, and illicit substances. Educate yourself on the most widely used substances to make informed choices on your use.

Alcohol
Alcohol is a legal depressant for adults over 21, but it poses serious health risks. It’s processed by the liver, and when consumed in excess, it can enter the bloodstream and impair the brain—affecting movement, memory, and judgment. Binge drinking can lead to alcohol poisoning, and chronic use may damage the liver, worsen mental health, and increase the risk of strokes and alcohol use disorder (alcohol addiction). No amount of alcohol is considered safe, especially for youth, whose brain development can be harmed. Delaying use lowers the chance of substance use disorders later in life. Responsible adult consumption or abstinence reduces health risks. In 2022, about 20% of Pennington and Red Lake 9th and 11th graders reported alcohol use.

Sources:
-National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2022, May). Alcohol Metabolism | National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). Www.niaaa.nih.gov. https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/alcohol-metabolism
-Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). Alcohol Use and Your Health. Alcohol Use. https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/about-alcohol-use/index.html
–Substance Use Data and Resources By County – SUMN.org. (2022). Substance Use in Minnesota. https://www.sumn.org/data/location/county/pennington
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Cannabis
Cannabis, now legal for adults over 21, affects brain receptors linked to mood, pain, and appetite—mainly through THC, which causes the “high,” and CBD, which may offer health benefits. It can be smoked, vaped, or eaten, with short-term effects including anxiety, memory issues, and impaired motor function; long-term use may lead to heart problems, schizophrenia, and lung damage. Medical cannabis is regulated and may help with conditions like seizures and chronic pain, but it hasn’t reduced opioid prescriptions. Cannabis poisoning can be serious, especially for children, and use during pregnancy may cause complications. In 2022, before legalization, 8% of Pennington and Red Lake 9th and 11th graders used cannabis—underscoring the need to prevent youth access as use becomes more widespread.

Source:
-Zou, S., & Kumar, U. (2018). Cannabinoid Receptors and the Endocannabinoid System: Signaling and Function in the Central Nervous System. International journal of molecular sciences, 19(3), 833. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19030833
-Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, February 16). Cannabis health effects. Cannabis and Public Health. https://www.cdc.gov/cannabis/health-effects/index.html
–Substance Use Data and Resources By County – SUMN.org. (2022). Substance Use in Minnesota. https://www.sumn.org/data/location/county/pennington
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Tobacco/Nicotine
Tobacco and nicotine products—like cigarettes, vapes, chewing tobacco, and pouches—are legal for adults over 21 but pose serious health risks. Smoking is linked to heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and nicotine use disorder (nicotine addiction), while vaping can cause lung injuries like EVALI and is not a safer alternative. Even smokeless products increase health risks. Exposure to nicotine can harm children and should be avoided during pregnancy to prevent birth defects. In 2022, 16% of Pennington and Red Lake 9th and 11th graders reported e-cigarette use, making youth prevention efforts especially important as nicotine pouches gain popularity.

Sources:
-Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Smoking and Tobacco Use. Smoking and Tobacco Use. https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/index.html
-Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, May 3). E-Cigarettes (Vapes). Smoking and Tobacco Use. https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/e-cigarettes/index.html
–Substance Use Data and Resources By County – SUMN.org. (2022). Substance Use in Minnesota. https://www.sumn.org/data/location/county/pennington