Substance Abuse

 Facts:

• Drugs are being mixed with other powerful drugs. A marijuana joint might contain heroin or cocaine, you never know!
• Of 7th & 8th grade students who report experimenting, 34% will become regular users before the end of the year (Coalition for a Drug Free Cincinnati).
• More teens are in treatment for marijuana than any other drugs combined (Office of National Drug Control Policy).
  

Consequences:

• Most drug charges are felonies. If you are charged with a felony, you must inform employers you were convicted of a felony, and certain personal rights are taken away such as the right to vote, right to bear arms, and the right to serve in the armed forces.
• Drugs can do a lot of harm to the body and brain, impairing your ability to make ClearChoices.  Your brain is still developing until your early 20's, and drugs can damage the developing areas critical to your social, physical and emotional growth!

Getting Help:

• Many drugs are addictive after the first use. Drug withdrawal causes tremors, body sweats, nausea, seizures, and even death. Talk to a trusted adult so you can get help finding the support and treatment resources you need.
  

Next steps:

• Drug use is often done to fit in or to deal with tough emotions. It’s important to understand why you are doing drugs and their effect on your body. It doesn’t matter why you started to use, commit to make healthy life choices now and for your future. 
   
• Changes in your behavior can be tough and may mean finding new friends who support you being healthy! Anyone who supports your drug use does not support your life. Drugs will kill you. Develop friendships with individuals whose lives do not revolve around drugs.