Until you're 25, your brain is still developing. Doing drugs, drinking and smoking interferes with this development and can put your health, social life and education at risk.

Alcohol

• You can legally drink alcohol in Ontario when you're 19.
• Alcohol slows down parts of your brain. It affects things like your behaviour, thinking, breathing and heart rate.
• Drinking alcohol before your brain is fully developed can make it hard to plan, make decisions or pay attention.

Cannabis/Weed/Pot

Cannabis is a legal drug in Canada for those 19 and older. Cannabis comes in many forms and can be consumed in multiple ways. There are different risks depending on how it's consumed. You have a choice when it comes to using cannabis.

• Mental health - Use your head to protect your brain. Young people who use cannabis are at risk developing anxiety, depression and psychosis.
• Long-term effects - Regular cannabis use can negatively impact your developing brain and make it harder to well at school or on the job.
• Everyone's not doing it - It may seem like everyone's using cannabis, but 4 out of 5 Ontario students report not having used cannabis in the last year.

It's safer not to use cannabis, but if you choose to use, learn ways to reduce some of the risks:

• Cannabis (CAMH)
  
• Drug Free Kids Canada - Cannabis
• Cannabis: Important things to know - Kids Help Phone

Vaping

An electronic cigarette (also known as a vape) is a battery-operated device that changes a liquid chemical (e-juice) into an aerosol that can be inhaled. People often call this vaping. E-cigarettes are often flavoured and can contain nicotine.

E-cigarette products have many names, including:

• mods
• vapes
• sub-ohms
• vape pens
• e-hookah
• tank systems
• electronic cigarettes/e-cigarettes
• electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS)

Risks of vaping:

• Risks of vaping - Health Canada
• StillBlowingSmoke.org

Need to talk to someone about a sexual health concern? Here's what to expect:

• You can make an appointment by calling 519-753-4937 ext. 471 or visit our Sexual Health page to see drop-in times at our youth sexual health clinics.
• Our services are completely confidential. If you leave a message with one of our nurses, we will call you back. Our phone number will show up as unknown, anonymous or private number.
• You don't need a parent or guardian's permission or involvement to use our services, you just need to be able to show that you understand your situation and your options.
• You don't need a health card, but we will need some information from you.
• Sexual health services at Brant County Health Unit (and our other locations) are run by nurses. Nurses cannot do everything a doctor can do. We do have a part-time nurse practitioner, but we may still need to refer you to a doctor depending on the case.
• A nurse will ask you a few questions before making an appointment, so we know what kind of help or appointment is needed. The nurse may ask things like:
• Are you having symptoms?
• When did you last have unprotected sex?
• When was your last normal period?
• There may be times when it's best for the nurse to refer you to a doctor or a walk-in clinic. This is so that you get the care you need when you need it.
• We care about getting you the help and services you need without judgement, so please be honest about your situation.
• Please let us know if there is something we can do to serve you better.
  

Visit our Sexual Health page to learn more about the sexual health clinics in our community. We also have information on Birth Control and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).

HEROS (Health Educators Reaching Other Students) is a youth advocate group that was created to engage youth, use their opinions and encourage decision making with the hope of eliminating barriers when promoting health behaviour change in youth. If you want a chance to influence other young people about health issues, consider volunteering with HEROS. We meet once a week to plan, discuss and share opportunities for health promotion in our community.