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There are many
stories about drug abuse. Kids dying, getting high, some kids
even
getting
special medical treatments. Some
kids do it to
be cool, some for stress, and some for curiosity of how it feels.
People do drugs because they think that taking drugs will make them
feel good about themselves or takes away unwanted feelings, but
drugs have other effects. Drugs change the chemicals in our
brains, and when those chemicals change our feelings and actions change
too.
There
are many drugs such as cocaine, marijuana, and much
more. If your
friends ask you take drugs or get high, don't do it. If you say yes, you will get high
and do something causing dangerous consequences. Many kids that
take drugs think they can hide it from their parents, but they are
wrong. Parents always
have a way to find out
about things that their children are hiding from them. Taking
drugs can cause family members to fight and destroy
families.
Be smart and think before you act.
Don't waste your life in
something that is not worth it. Drugs are trouble, so do yourself a
favor and stay out of trouble. People who encourage you to use
drugs are not your
friends. Remember drugs makes you sick and damage your
brain. People do crazy things when they are high. For example
they may shoot themselves, throw themselves off a roof, or drown
themselves in the bathtub! So be cool and stay away from drugs!
What is
considered
a drug?
Drug
|
Harmful
Effects
|
Inhalants
|
-
Brain Damage
- Hearing loss
- Heart Attack
- Nausea
- Kidney Damage
- Liver Damage
|
Cocaine
|
-
Brain Damage
- Paranoia
- Hallucination
|
Ecstasy
|
- Brain
Damage
- Blurred Vision
- Teeth Clenching
- Fainting
- Lung Failure
- Heart Failure |
-
Liver Damage
- Loss of Appetite
- Kidney Damage
- Heat Stroke
- Muscle Tension |
|
Heroin
|
- Coma
- Poisoning
- Liver
Damage
- Skin
Infections
- Stroke
- Lung
Infections
|
Marijuana
|
-
Reduces Motivation
- Sleepy Eyes
- Dry Mouth
- Throat Cancer
- Lung Cancer |
- Increases
appetite
- Increases Blood Pressure
- Weakens Immune System
|
|
Steroids
|
-
Liver Cancer
- Aggression
- Mood Swings
|
*The above information was found
in
http://www.timemedical.co.uk/educational *
Why do people
use drugs?
* The above picture was drawn in KidPix 4 by Brandon O. *
Curiosity
|
Sometimes
teens feel
that they want to try something new to feel cool. But they don't know
that experimenting with drugs can be dangerous because they may become
addicted
to it.
|
Inaccurate
Information
|
Not
all kids get information about drugs from their parents and school
which makes them unaware of the horrible drugs effects.
|
Rejection
|
Kids
want to be accepted by their friends and they are afraid to say no and
feel rejected. Remember saying "No" gives you power!
|
Fit in
|
Sometimes
teens think that they can look cool if they consume drugs. They think
that they can look in front of their friends.
|
Anger
|
Some
people use drugs because they are angry with their parents, teachers,
friends and they take drugs because they believe drugs will fix the
problems. Drugs cause more harm and do no good at all.
|
Poor self-image
|
Some
people have poor self image and they feel that doing drugs will make
them feel better and in control of themselves. Drugs make you look ugly
and nasty, by doing drugs you will only look and feel dumb.
|
Stress
|
Some
teenagers and
adults may think that taking drugs will help them with their problems
and will make them feel better.
Drugs
don't
help solve problems instead they become
a problem. |
Drugs
don't
make you feel better instead it makes you feel worste. |
*
The above picture was illustrated in Kidspiration
by Lorcy *
|
* The above
picture was drawn in KidPix 4
by Lorcy. *
|
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Who is a risk?
Warning
Signs of Teen Substance Abuse
Tired
all the time
|
Fatigue
|
Repeated
Health Complaints
|
Red
and Glazed eyes
|
Lasting
Cough
|
Moodiness
|
Personality
change
|
Irresponsible
Behavior
|
Low
self-esteem
|
Depression
|
Negative
Attitude
|
Destructive
Attitude
|
Drop
in Grades
|
Many
Absences
|
Problems
with THE LAW
|
Note - Some of
the warning signs from the above table can also be signs
of other problems, consult your doctor and ask the school guidance
counselor for help.
* The above information was gather from
http://www.focusas.com/SubstanceAbuse.html *
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