Created by Step Up youth 2025
Substance Abuse Poetry
Free Mind Campaign
Drugs and your body have a toxic relationship. They can damage your organs, twist your mental health, and make you feel like a stranger in your own skin. Ditch the drama and learn more about drugs’ toxic behaviors at cdc.gov/FreeMind.
#FreeMind
#OverdoseAwareness
Euphoria…but at what cost?
Teenage drug abuse has historically been glamorized in the media as high-status, fun, and rebellious. Teens tend to feel like they gain freedom and social value by using illicit drugs. However, many TV shows and movies fail to accurately show the devastating effects of drug use — such as addiction, damaged relationships, decreased focus, high expenses, and overdose.
Posted by Yanyan
It’s okay to ask for help!
If you are struggling with substance abuse, addiction, mental illness, or any other hardship, remember that there is always someone out there willing to support you. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength!
SAMHSA’s National Helpline for substance abuse and behavioral health assistance: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
Posted by Yanyan
Tele’s Recovery Story
“I have been able to accomplish a lot in my recovery,” says Tele, who has been in recovery for four years after starting to misuse prescription opioids at age 13. “I just want to be happy. And I want to thrive in my life.”
Tele shared with the CDC that in high school, he struggled with anxiety and depression despite being well-liked, athletic, and high-achieving in school. He turned to prescription opioids and eventually heroin for the “numbing effect” of the drugs. After getting arrested for driving while impaired, he sought treatment for his addiction and hopes that he can help reduce the stigma surrounding opioid use disorder.
Posted by Yanyan
SOURCE: https://www.cdc.gov/rxawareness/stories/tele.html
Meth Destroys
A 60-second PSA spot on the dangers of meth.
[9-22 10:10 AM] Sorry about the earlier video that had white noise for sound. Apparently the hosting site doesn’t like AAC for input (?).
I Used To Be…
Be Yourself – Meth Prevention
Drugs
Once upon a time there was a boy, seventeen years old, who rolled (did ecstasy) every weekend, stayed high, and drank 24/7.
He and I were cool and everything, but sometimes he could get very violent while he was high or drunk. One night we were at a party and he was drunk. I was on the dance floor, and someone smoked his weed that he had left on the table. He got super belligerent and became out of control. He found the girl who had taken the weed and she had smoked it all. Within a blink he had backhanded her.
A couple weeks later he met my friend Tracy and they started dating after hitting it off. He stopped his drug habits for the three months they were going out.
Unfortunately, he later got involved with meth. He and his friends got pulled over at about three in the morning. He was arrested because he was on acid and had thirty-four rolls (ecstasy) on him. He then went to court and was sentenced to six months in Lino. His girlfriend, Tracy, waited until he was finally released in February. He promised her that he would never go back and would never do drugs again.
– Chioma, 15
Anonymous Person
I know someone who did crack cocaine.
She didn’t want to at first. She started because of a relative who was around the same age. She started using crack cocaine so that she could be around people she knew since her older siblings didn’t want her around.
Over time she became addicted to the drug. A lot of things have happened since then. She had a child, and wanted to change herself for the baby. She attempted to quit the drug, which worked for a while until she was around the wrong people again. She started the drug again, stealing from her child so she could get money for the drugs. The child tried to help the mother so that she didn’t have to go through it alone.
I don’t know if it was a success or not, but I wish them the best.
– Janelle