Drugs & Alcohol

Is the phrase "just say no" familiar?  In general, most people know the effects of drugs and alcohol.  We understand that there are dangers involved in using these items, but some of us will choose to use them and ignore the warnings.  If you've decided to use drugs or alcohol, keep in mind the possible consequences that may result from your choice.

Choosing not to use drugs or alcohol is the best choice.  Your friends may use drugs or alcohol, but remember that you have a choice; you don't have to use them.  If you're afraid that you won't fit in, don't worry.  True friends accept your choices and don't force you to participate in something against your will.  It may sound cliche', but it's true. Keeping an "image" to fit in isn't worth the risk of hurting yourself.

Alcohol affects your judgment and lowers your inhibitions, and can lead to risky behavior such as unprotected sex.  It also affects your coordination and can bring on dangerous situations such as drinking and driving.  In addition, alcohol could cause bodily damage and increase the risk of contracting disease.  Here are a few of the many dangers of drinking alcohol:

• Alcohol affects virtually every organ in the body, and prolonged use can lead to numerous preventable diseases, including alcoholism.
• Alcohol lowers inhibitions and impairs judgment, which can lead to risky behaviors, including unprotected sex.
• Alcohol decreases coordination, slows reaction time, dulls senses, and blocks memory.
• In most U.S. states, alcohol is illegal to buy or possess if you are under the age of 21.
• One 12-ounce beer has as much alcohol as a 1.5-ounce shot of whiskey or a 5-ounce glass of wine.
• Wine coolers have just as much alcohol as a 12-ounce beer. One glass of clear malt can give a teenager a .02 on a breathalyzer test, which in some states is enough for anyone under the age of 21 to lose their drivers license and receive a fine.
• Drinking increases the risk of injury. Car crashes, falls, burns, drowning, and suicide are all linked to alcohol and other drug use.
• Alcohol can cause an acne breakout, give you bad breath, and make you gain weight.
• Alcohol can make you clumsy and slur your speech, make you feel sick, and make you throw up.
• Too much alcohol can overload the system and can lead to death.

Drugs also have many negative effects.  Depending on type, drugs can cause you to feel depressed, lonely, or anxious.  Clues that indicate someone may be using drugs include:

• Change in overall attitude or personality
• Changes of friends: avoidance of old friends, hanging out with known drug users
• Change in activities: loss of interest in things that were once important; spending time in hangouts they would not have gone to before
• Drop in school or work performance; skips or is late to school or work
• Changes in habits at home; loss of interest in family and family activities
• Difficulty in paying attention; forgetfulness
• Lack of motivation, energy, self-esteem, discipline
• Defensiveness
• Violent temper or temper tantrums
• Moodiness, irritability, or nervousness
• Paranoia
• Excessive need for privacy
• Secretive or suspicious behavior
• Dishonesty; stealing
• Unexplained need for money; can't explain where money goes
• Change in personal grooming habits
• Possession of drug paraphernalia

Both drugs and alcohol can lead to dangerous and life-threatening addictions.  If you or a friend is experiencing problems with drugs or alcohol, get help now.  Try speaking to someone you trust, or contact the National Runaway Switchboard at 1-800-RUNAWAY.

Check out these websites for more information about drugs & alcohol:

• National Clearinghouse for Alcohol & Drug Information
• What's Driving You? - Information About Alcohol
• Center for Disease Control (CDC) - Youth Tobacco Prevention 
• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)  
• Phoenix House - Drug & Alcohol Treatment and Prevention Services

Statistics on Underage Drinking (Source: CDC):

• During 2003, about 22% percent of high school students smoked cigarettes, down from about 36% percent in 1997. 
• Lifetime cigarette use among high school students was about 58% percent in 2003, down from about 70% percent in 1999.
• Frequent smoking declined to about 10% percent of youth in 2003.
• White students were significantly more likely than black and Hispanic students to report current smoking.
• More white female students than black and Hispanic female students smoke reported current smoking.
• More Hispanic female than black female students reported current smoking.
• The prevalence of smoking was not significantly different among white, black, and Hispanic male students.

Fast Facts About Underage Drinking (Source: NIDA's "Monitoring the Future Study," 2000):

• In 2000, there were 5,702 youth between the ages of 16 and 20 killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes.
• Teenagers make up less than 7% of the nation's licensed drivers, but they are involved in 15% of all fatal crashes.
• Children who begin drinking before age 15 are four times more likely to become an alcoholic as an adult than those who begin at age 21, the legal drinking age.
• First use of alcohol typically begins around age 13.
• Teenagers whose parents talk to them regularly about the dangers of drugs are 42% less likely to use drugs than those whose parents don't.

How Does Alcohol Affect the World of the Child? (Source: Leadership to Keep Children Alcohol Free):

• Alcohol is the number one drug of choice among youth in the United States.
• Adolescents who abuse alcohol may remember 10% less of what they have learned than those who don't drink.
• Almost 20% of 8th graders and 42% of 10th graders have been drunk at least once.