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 (?).

 

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

 

View of My Life with Drugs

This is the truth about our own people living in the projects
Fighting for territory G’s riding a car
Smoking too much
And drug addiction
We could never find peace with races

Gang Rich n poor
And the rest of the haters out there
Everyone going crazy
Just because of drugs in the communities
Smoking weed
Rolling E’s
Crytal meth
Crack
And the rest of the …drugs out there
But the worst drug of all is meth
Just one puff from it
You’ll be addicted to it
Always got to say no to drugs
It only makes you turn into a hater
We could never change a person
Only they could change themselves
I would’ve died a long time ago
But something’s keeping me alive
Making me try to tell the whole world about it
But I’m just too stupid to realize
That I got a gift
To show everyone
But back then I was too young that time
Try once never going to do it again
This is the truth
From the view of my eyes
This is no lies
Don’t try
Not even once in your life
Too many memories going through in my mind
Got to be tough now.

– William, 16

 

Experience with Drugs

The first time I encountered drugs was in my backyard when I saw a cigarette on my lawn.

I was only seven, and I didn’t know that smoking was bad. I was curious about what smoking was like. I picked up the cigarette, smoked it, and started to gag. My lungs felt like they were bursting out for fresh air.

Slowly, I started to breathe again, but I was breathing heavily, I went into my house and drank water to cool down for a bit. Then I began to calm down and fell asleep on my couch. That day taught me a lesson on why smoking can be harmful to your health, and I will never again smoke.

– C.J., 15