Teens

Making positive choices is easier than you think.

Be proud of yourself when you’ve stayed clear of the temptations to experiment with dangerous substances.

And you’re not alone. More than seven in 10 teens in Palm Beach County are alcohol-free.

Bet you didn’t know that, right? 

Truth is, most youth don’t take drugs or drink alcohol.

According to a recent government survey, drug use rates have decreased since 2001. Despite what you may hear, kids are rejecting drugs like marijuana, meth, inhalants, and tobacco. In fact, many teens are telling researchers that they know a lot about the dangers of drugs – and that helps them say “no” to drugs.

More teens understand that experimenting with drugs and alcohol puts their long-term health and safety on the line.  

Why? Because the teen brain is a brain that’s still developing. That means: taking drugs and alcohol can cause permanent intellectual, emotional, and physical damage.

Take alcohol, for instance.

The more you drink, the higher the chances of you getting into serious trouble like being in a car crash or being involved in a homicide, suicide, and drowning. Alcohol is also linked to early sexual intercourse, date and acquaintance rapes, unplanned pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, as well as fighting in school, vandalism and theft. In addition, many young people die from alcohol poisoning associated with binge drinking.

And that’s just alcohol.

Find out what else can happen to you when you use prescription pills, bath salt, heroin, cocaine, and other drugs.   

Here’s even more real truth about drugs: if you use them, your chances of finishing high school, going to college, getting a good job, and starting a family will diminish.

Getting hooked on drugs can ruin your life. It’s hard to quit drugs once you start abusing them. There could be physical feelings of withdrawal, like bad headaches. Remember, addiction is a brain disease that can easily take over your life. Learn more about addiction here.

We all choose our paths in life. Pick the one that doesn’t involve using drugs and alcohol. Your health, safety, and future will be brighter.

Sources:

http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/binge-drinking.htm
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/tween-and-teen-health/in-depth/teen-drug-abuse/art-20045921
http://www.kkdf.org/index.cfm?p=prevention_activities