New Dangers in Drugs

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by: Soulene Sabir & Cassie Avery (Health Sciences)

With new technologies emerging and policies on substance use changing, different risks and dangers are created. Did we grab your attention? Well, if you want to learn more about myths associated with these new dangers, keep on reading! 😁

Vaping:

Vapes aren’t meant for anyone other than cigarette smokers and are not safe for anyone who does not currently use tobacco products. While less harmful than conventional cigarettes, vaping is still unnecessarily harmful towards the user. It disrupts normal lung function and negatively affects oral health. E-cigarettes can come in different forms, some look like regular cigarettes, cigars or pipes while others look like pens or USB sticks. The larger device can vary in shape. 

Myth 1: “vaping is safer than smoking cigarettes”

FACT: Vaping can only be beneficial to adults who smoke and are not pregnant as a substitute for regular cigarettes and other tobacco products. Evidence shows that e-cigarettes are less harmful than a typical cigarette.  

Myth 2: “Vaping isn’t addictive”

FACT: E cigarettes produce a liquid called aerosol which normally contains nicotine, heavy metals such as lead, volatile organic compounds, flavouring and other chemicals. Nicotine is the addictive drug which is also found in cigarettes, cigars and other tobacco products. 

Myth 3: “Vaping is just water vapor.”

FACT: Vaping liquid contains chemicals and nicotine (which is highly addictive) and is heated to produce an aerosol. This aerosol is inhaled through the mouth and lungs where it is absorbed into the bloodstream. It’s more than just water vapor.

Myth 4: “Vaping doesn’t make people start smoking.”

FACT: Young adults often use e-cigarettes as their first nicotine-based product. People are twice as likely to start smoking cigarettes if they vape regularly, even if they have never smoked a cigarette before. 

Cannabis Legalization:

Myth 1: “Legalization of cannabis encourages drivers to drive while under the influence.”

FACT: Cannabis legalization raised concerns about increased use among drivers; however, according to the National Cannabis Survey (NCS), the likelihood of reported driving after cannabis use did not change with legalization. Between 2018 and 2019, the percentage of Canadian passengers aged 15 years or older in vehicles operated by drivers who had consumed cannabis within the previous two hours dropped from 5.3% to 4.2%.

Myth 2: “Legalization of cannabis did not affect where people bought their cannabis.” 

FACT:  Based on the 2019 NCS, an estimated 29.4% of cannabis users reported obtaining all the cannabis they consumed from a legal source; this is practically three times higher than before legalization (10.7%). 

The Opioid Crisis: 

Myth: “The current opioid crisis is a result of a single, complex factor.”

Fact: The current opioid crisis is a result of multiple, complex factors that include: misconception of addictive risks from prescription opioids, stigma towards substance use disorders, lack of awareness as well as psychological, social and biological risk factors like genetics, mental health, early life experiences, trauma, poverty, and lack of secure housing.


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