alcohol and cannabis

Law around legal age for drinking in Australia

It is illegal to buy or supply alcohol to anyone under 18.

Adult drinking guidelines

Adults should have no more than 10 drinks per week and no more than 4 drinks on one occasion.

Teen drinking guidelines

Teenagers should not drink alcohol at all.

Refusal tactics

1) Be assertive, 2) Make an excuse, 3) Use delay tactics, for example, you could say, "I'll have a drink later", 4) Just keep saying no, 5) Walk away, 6) Avoid situations where you know you would drink too much.

Pre-planning before events

Set drink limits, start with water, space drinks, eat food, avoid sharing bottles, look after friends.

Alcohol short-term effects

Slowed reaction time, poor coordination, mood changes, vomiting, memory gaps, slurred speech.

Alcohol long-term effects

Heart disease, liver damage, cancers, brain damage, addiction, weakened immune system.

Cannabis physical effects

Bloodshot eyes, slowed reactions, poor coordination, lung damage.

Cannabis mental effects

Anxiety, paranoia, hallucinations, memory and learning problems.

Laws around cannabis in Australia

Illegal to grow, sell, or use recreationally (ACT allows limited personal growing/possession).

Effects of drug addiction on work

Reduced safety, poor performance, more accidents, absenteeism, higher turnover.

Cannabis short-term effects

Impaired memory, altered senses, increased heart rate, paranoia, poor judgment.

Cannabis long-term effects

Addiction, mental health issues, lung problems, brain changes, risk of psychosis, life problems.

Places to seek help

ReachOut, Positive Choices, headspace, Counselling Online, ADIS, Alcohol and Drug Foundation.