NEVER USE DRUGS/ALCOHOL

“BE WISE—NEVER USE DRUGS OR ALCOHOL”

 Be wise don’t drink or use drugs. All this is bad because it damages you. While being under this influence one can commit stupidity actions. Alcohol and drug addiction ruins lives. It can destroy an individual’s career, relationships, finances and health. Everything of significance in one's life, all the dreams, principles, moral precepts are placed in jeopardy or worse abandoned. Alcohol and drug addiction can happen to anybody at any time in life. It is a progressive disease of the body and mind. You may have heard the expression, "You’re only as good as the company you keep," and in reality, that statement is true. If you have friends or family members who pressure you to use alcohol or drugs, avoid them. Make new friends who practice healthier habits, who do well in school, who motivated at work, who have goals. Develop goals for yourself and dreams. Remember, alcohol or drug use can turn to addiction rapidly; one never plans on becoming a drug addict or alcoholic. While in active addiction, the only goal possible is to obtain drugs or alcohol to feed the addiction. Regardless of whether you suffer from, drug or alcohol abuse or alcohol and drug addiction, both require professional addiction treatment.

Risk of teen drug use:

·         A family history of substance abuse

Depression

·         Low self-esteem

·         Early aggressive behavior

·         Feelings of social rejection   

Lack of parental supervision

·         Poverty

·         Drug availability

Negative consequences for drug/alcohol use:

·         Impaired driving. Driving under the influence of any drug can damage a driver's motor skills, reaction time and judgment — putting the driver, his or her passengers, and others on the road at risk.

·         Sexual activity. Teens who abuse drugs are more likely to have poor judgment, which can result in unplanned and unsafe sex.

·         Drug dependence. Teens who abuse drugs are at increased risk of serious drug use later in life.

·         Lack of motivation. Drug use may lead a teen to lose interest in or become indifferent about what happens at school or in other areas of his or her life.

·         Concentration problems. Use of drugs, such as marijuana, may affect the parts of the brain that control memory, motivation, attention and learning — making it more difficult to learn and perform complex tasks.

·         Serious health problems.