Chapter 1 Living a Healthy Life - McGraw-Hill Ryerson

Abstaining from Risk Behaviourshe only way to avoid the consequences of some of the mostT serious risk behaviours is to practice abstinence. Abstinenceis avoiding harmful behaviours, including the use of tobacco, alcohol,and other drugs and sexual activity before marriage. Choosing toabstain from high-risk behaviours is one of the mostimportant health decisions you can make as a teen.How you behave affectsnot only yourself butothers around you.What positive effectson others might resultfrom your participationin a campaign thatpromotes abstinencefrom substance use?Abstaining from Tobacco, Alcohol, andOther DrugsWhen you abstain from using tobacco,alcohol, and other drugs, you avoid manynegative consequences. Using these substancesharms all aspects of your health.The physical and psychological effects arewell documented—these substances cancause addiction and can seriously harm thebody. They can even cause death. Substanceuse often isolates a person from family andfriends, a negative effect on social health.There are legal consequences as well. It is illegalfor people under 19 to purchase, possess, or consumealcohol in all provinces and territories exceptQuebec, Manitoba, and Alberta, where the drinkingage is 18. People under the age of 18 cannot purchasetobacco, and many provinces restrict purchasing to people over19. Marijuana may be used for medical reasons in Canada, but it isillegal to purchase or use marijuana for recreational purposes. Thepurchase and use of other drugs is illegal for all people, no matterwhat their age or medical condition.Abstaining from Sexual ActivityAbstinence from sexual activity is the preferred choice of behaviourfor unmarried persons of high-school age. Why? Abstinencefrom sexual activity protects teens against many negative consequences.Even teens who have been sexually active in the past canchoose abstinence. Teens who abstain from sexual activity never have to worry about unplanned pregnancy. will not be faced with the difficult decisions associated withunplanned pregnancy, such as being a single parent. will not have to take on the many responsibilities of caringfor a child. don’t have to worry about sexually transmitted infections anddiseases (including HIV infection).20 MHR ● Chapter 1 Living a Healthy Life