Who am I? A presentation for elementary and middle school - grade 5 and 6. Courtesy of Impact DWI

Which is the most complex thing in the Universe? Could it be a Black Hole in Space? The ring around Saturn? A Space Shuttle? A Super Computer? Which is the most complex thing in the Universe? Could it be a Black Hole in Space? The ring around Saturn? A Space Shuttle? A Super Computer?

The most complicated and mysterious thing in the universe is an organ that resemble a jellylike mass of fat and protein weighing about 3 pounds (1.4 kilograms). It is one of the body's biggest organs, consisting of some 100 billion nerve cells. It floats in a liquid solution surrounded by a fine weave composed by several delicate veins that resembles the formation of a spider web. It has a gelatin consistency when touched. It is so smooth that one can easily push a finger in this consistency.

It is your Brain Photo is a courtesy of 3D Science.com

Your Brain in Action

You are your Brain... It is your imagination, thoughts, memories, and your dreams. Your Brain makes you into Who You Are!

Your brain controls several functions that you are not even aware of. Emotions Thoughts Speech Hearing Heart rate and Blood Pressure Balance and Coordination Vision Learning and Memory Movement

Why do we need our Brains? The brain is responsible for everything that you are able to do. It is the boss of your body. The brain is responsible for everything that you are able to do. It is the boss of your body. Each part of your body conducts an action solely supported by the brain. Each part of your body conducts an action solely supported by the brain. Such as your senses - seeing, hearing, smelling, touching and tasting food. All of these provides the brain with information. Such as your senses - seeing, hearing, smelling, touching and tasting food. All of these provides the brain with information. The brain receives information, makes a decision and sends messages to the rest of the body. The brain receives information, makes a decision and sends messages to the rest of the body.

The Brain and its Connections. The brain's nerve cells are known as neurons, which make up the organ's so-called "gray matter." The neurons transmit and gather electrochemical signals that are communicated via a network of millions of nerve fibers called dendrites and axons. These are the brain's "white matter."

Neurons are similar to other cells in the human body in a number of ways, but there is one key difference between neurons and other cells. Neurons are specialized to transmit information throughout the body. These highly specialized nerve cells are responsible for communicating information in both chemical and electrical forms.

Alcohol and Drugs Damages an Adolescent’s Developing Brain

Alcohol and Drugs have a great impact on Brain Development Young people who begin drinking before the age of 15, are five times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than those who wait until they are 21. Young people who begin drinking before the age of 15, are five times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than those who wait until they are 21. Since an adolescent’s brain is still developing, teens who drink heavily are more likely to significantly lower their mental abilities than adults who drink heavily. Since an adolescent’s brain is still developing, teens who drink heavily are more likely to significantly lower their mental abilities than adults who drink heavily. Research shows that a teen’s brain is more easily damaged than an adult’s brain in the areas that regulate the storage of memories. Research shows that a teen’s brain is more easily damaged than an adult’s brain in the areas that regulate the storage of memories. Exposure to substances that inhibit cell growth can have a devastating effect on the developing brain. Exposure to substances that inhibit cell growth can have a devastating effect on the developing brain. Alcohol and other Drugs limits the Brain’s ability to form new pathways and connections that are essential to learning and memory. Alcohol and other Drugs limits the Brain’s ability to form new pathways and connections that are essential to learning and memory.

Age 12 During adolescence, the brain is undergoing a lot of changes. Gray matter diminishes as neural connections are pruned. Age 16 Because the Brain is still developing, it is more sensitive to alcohol and drugs. Age 20 The Changes that alcohol and drugs causes are more likely to stick and become hardwired as addiction by adulthood.

These brain images show how alcohol may harm teen mental function. Both were given the same memory task. The image on the right shows poor brain activity – indicated by the lack of pink and red coloring. Reference: SUSAN TAPERT, PHD, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA. 15 year old non drinker 15 year old heavy drinker

Peer Pressure Peer pressure is the feeling of being influenced to do something you wouldn’t usually do because your peers are doing it. Reachout.com What can you do about it?

Peer pressure can be a major factor influencing your decision to use drugs and drink alcohol. 30% of teens are offered drugs in high school and middle school. (Adolescent Substance Abuse Knowledge Base) 30% of teens are offered drugs in high school and middle school. (Adolescent Substance Abuse Knowledge Base) 3.1 million American teens smoke. (American Lung Association) 3.1 million American teens smoke. (American Lung Association) 25% of teens have been involved in at least one episode of binge drinking. (The Center for Disease Control and Prevention) 25% of teens have been involved in at least one episode of binge drinking. (The Center for Disease Control and Prevention) The Kaiser Foundation states that nearly 50% of adolescents between the ages of feel pressured into having sex in relationships. The Kaiser Foundation states that nearly 50% of adolescents between the ages of feel pressured into having sex in relationships.

Say “no”. Having the courage to say “no” can be tough, but, it can also feel great to stick with what you believe in. Value common interests. Try and hang out with people who do like doing similar stuff to you. It sounds obvious, but you’re less likely to feel pressured to do things you don’t want to. Value common interests. Try and hang out with people who do like doing similar stuff to you. It sounds obvious, but you’re less likely to feel pressured to do things you don’t want to. Say no. If you’re finding it hard to work up the guts to say no to something, you should know that sticking up for what you believe in feels really good. If you can explain to people in a calm way why something‘s not for you, more often than not, you’ll gain their respect. Say no. If you’re finding it hard to work up the guts to say no to something, you should know that sticking up for what you believe in feels really good. If you can explain to people in a calm way why something‘s not for you, more often than not, you’ll gain their respect. Try not to judge others. Respecting someone else’s choice may help them respect yours. People don’t have to agree on everything, and understanding that’s ok will mean both parties are likely to be less defensive about their choices. Try not to judge others. Respecting someone else’s choice may help them respect yours. People don’t have to agree on everything, and understanding that’s ok will mean both parties are likely to be less defensive about their choices. Reachout.com

Simple tips on how to say NO

Always speak with confidence! Any signs of weakness and the person pressuring will continue until they have won the battle! I don’t feel like it, do you have any soda? No thanks, I don’t drink. Smoking is NOT my thing. Leave quickly. “Got to run some errands for my parents, want to help?” “I really don’t like the taste of it” This makes me feel uncomfortable." Girls health.com

Classroom Activity. Practice Resistance Skills. ? ?

The majority of teens are NOT using Drugs or Alcohol. They are engaged in activities that makes them happy.

Drinking and Driving is a Risky Business In 2011, 9,878 people died in drunk driving crashes - one every 53 minutes. Almost every 90 seconds, a person is injured in a drunk driving crash. Over 1.2 million drivers were arrested in 2011 for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. An average drunk driver has driven drunk 80 times before first arrest. On average, one in three people will be involved in a drunk driving crash in their lifetime. MADD - NHTSA

How can You stop a friend or a family member from Drunk or Drugged Driving? To stop to a friend or family member from driving under the influence of the alcohol or drugs can be one of the most important decisions you will ever make. But to convince an impaired person is not always easy as it sounds. To stop to a friend or family member from driving under the influence of the alcohol or drugs can be one of the most important decisions you will ever make. But to convince an impaired person is not always easy as it sounds.

Find the keys while he or she is distracted and take them away. Find the keys while he or she is distracted and take them away. Be as non-confrontational as possible. Be as non-confrontational as possible. Explain that you don’t want them to drive because you care and you don’t want them to hurt themselves or others. Explain that you don’t want them to drive because you care and you don’t want them to hurt themselves or others. Ask someone you trust for help. Ask someone you trust for help.

If you are a child and have no choice but to ride in a car with a driver who is impaired… Sit in the back seat. Sit in the back seat. Buckle-up tight and use your booster seat, if needed. Buckle-up tight and use your booster seat, if needed. Put all of your belongings on the floor. Put all of your belongings on the floor. Do not bother the driver and stay quiet. Do not bother the driver and stay quiet. Tell a trusted grown-up immediately about any unsafe ride. Tell a trusted grown-up immediately about any unsafe ride. MADD

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