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Youth/Young Adult

There is no question that tobacco and drug use cause emotional and physical harm to growing bodies. From inconvenient side effects to disease and death, these addictive substances have shown they can destroy lives. While previous generations were blind to the facts and deceit from industries pushing their products on youth, today’s youth are armed with the knowledge to help them lead happier and healthier substance free lives.

Get Involved

Young people in Maine are making a big impact in their communities by getting involved in policy change, taking action, and advocating for what they believe in. You too can be a positive influence for your peers and adults, by using your voice to make a difference. Here are some things you can do:

MYAN

MYAN is a statewide network of support for youth and adults that connect people and programs throughout Maine with the mission of training, supporting, connecting and advocating for youth. Youth groups of all types can be a part of MYAN, including those involved in social action, prevention, mentoring, and health promotion.
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Sticker Shock

Project Sticker Shock is designed to reach adults who might buy alcohol and provide it to minors. Youth go to a store and place stickers on alcohol products warning adults about the penalties for buying alcohol for minors. The project has the goal of reducing alcohol purchased for minors, raising public awareness about underage drinking, and strengthening the impact of the law on the decision to provide alcohol to minors.
Learn More

Know the Dangers

Using tobacco, alcohol, and drugs is dangerous. Not only do they impact your emotional and physical development, but they also can lead to long-term disease and addiction, which can interfere with school, relationships, and health.

  • Decreased breathing function and long-term lung disease
  • Narrows blood vessels, strains the heart, and decreases oxygen
  • Increased phlegm, acne, colds, trouble sleeping, and facial hair on girls
  • Impacts memory, personality, and behavior development
  • Increased risk of car crashes, falls, burns, and deaths
  • Bad decision-making and risky behaviors
  • Risk of alcohol dependence
  • Problems with learning and memory
  • Distorted perceptions and panic attacks
  • Risk of addiction
  • Interferes with coordination, decision making, and normal function
  • Dangerous, unknown chemicals
  • Risk of addiction, overdose and death

You Are The Target

The tobacco industry has purposely targeted youth with advertising, promotions, samples, movies, and more. If you begin smoking when you are young, you are more likely to become addicted which creates a long-term customer for their deadly products.

They review data about popular trends in music, fashion, and products that appeal to younger audiences. They know youth are highly influenced online and they intend to lure you into thinking smoking is hip and part of your identity.

Unfortunately, it works. Big Tobacco spends more than $42 million each year on targeting Maine youth and one third of youth who experiment with smoking do so because of effective tobacco industry marketing.

Learn how you can stand up against tobacco.

Positive Influence

Everybody’s not doing – and that’s a fact. The campaign challenges youth to engage in critical thinking skills, identify positive influences, and stand up to negative pressures around substance use. It allows youth to develop an awareness of how they want themselves to be perceived and how their actions might impact how others see them. The campaign empowers their expression and celebrates the importance of making smart choices around all substances.

Your life may be filled with pressure, some good, some bad. It’s important to be aware of the negative influences around you – whether that’s friends, school, athletics, social media, or something in the media. You have an opportunity to change the conversation and lead the way.

Find out how you can be a Positive Influence.

Party Smarter

If you are 21 or older, you may often enjoy alcohol when socializing with friends and family. Drinking can be harmful, depending on your age, health status, and how much/often you drink.

If you choose to have a drink, here are some simple steps to help you Party Smarter:

Sometimes the amount you drink can be a signal that you may have a problem with alcohol here are some resources to learn more:

A brief quiz to find out, how much is too much? – Alcohol Screening

Are your drinking habits impacting your health? –  Rethinking Drinking