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DRUG PREVENTION

Drugs

The use of drugs can have serious health consequences both physically and mentally, as well as increasing the likelihood of criminal convictions and associated crime.

It's not just illegal drugs that you need to be wary of. There are legal substances for sale with potential health risks. NHS Choices provide further useful information about legal highs.

Seek help if you're feeling pressure to take drugs.

Preventative Measures for Teenage Substance Abuse

Prevention of drug and alcohol abuse can start at home. Parents can talk to their children and explain the consequences of drug and alcohol abuse. Specifically talking to children while they are young can create a strong foundation for awareness of drug use. This helps parents positively influence their children, while teaching their children about boundaries.

In teaching boundaries, parents help children to understand when to deny something that can hurt them, while controlling the dynamic of an unhealthy request. Prevention talks also create deeper bonds and guidance between children and parents. Parents can establish consistency in communication, as well as guidance that can be followed for years. Preventative conversations can lead the adolescent to strengthen trust with their parent, and make wise decisions with habits, friends, interests, and influences.

TIPS FOR TEENS

Even when you are confident in your decision not to use drugs or alcohol, it can be hard when it’s your friend who is offering…

A lot of times, a simple “no thanks” may be enough. But sometimes it’s not. It can get intense, especially if the people who want you to join in on a bad idea feel judged.  If you’re all being “stupid” together, then they feel less self-conscious and don’t need to take all the responsibility.

But knowing they are just trying to save face doesn’t end the pressure, so here are a few tips that may come in handy.

  • If you’re on a sports team, you can say you are staying healthy to maximize your athletic performance—besides, no one would argue that a hangover would help you play your best.
  • No thanks – I don’t feel like being poisoned today
  • Why would I want to make myself stupid?!
  • I have to [study for a big test / go to a concert / visit my grandmother / babysit / march in a parade, etc.]. I can’t do that after a night of drinking/drugs.”
  • Keep a bottled drink like a soda or iced tea with you to drink at parties. People will be less likely to pressure you to drink alcohol if you’re already drinking something. If they still offer you something, just say “I’m covered.”
  • Find something to do so that you look busy. Get up and dance. Offer to DJ.
  • When all else fails…blame your parents. They won’t mind! Explain that your parents are really strict, or that they will check up on you when you get home.
  • If your friends aren’t having it—then it’s a good time to find the door. Nobody wants to leave the party or their friends, but if your friends won’t let you party without drugs, then it’s not going to be fun for you.
  • What I find interesting, is the people who have healthy thinking and want healthy bodies, need to excuse themselves to those who are weak-minded and have to follow-the-crowds. Stand up for who you are. Nice, but firm. Who cares what they think. If they don't hang out with you, they are not genuine friends. Find groups that do constructive things.
  • When I hung out with friends who were smoking marijuana and they passed it to me I would just pass it on and say that marijuana makes me forgetful and I needed to get all A's in my Calculus and Chemistry classes to get into medical school. And guess what? It paid off!
  • Sometimes these situations totally surprise us. But sometimes we know that the party we are going to has alcohol or that people plan to do drugs at a concert. These are the times when asking yourself what you could do differently is key to not having to go through this weekend after weekend.

    Click on the link below for '100 Reasons to leave the Drug Phase behind':
    100 reasons to leave the drug phase behind

USEFUL WEBSITES

FRANK

Frank
To read about honest information about drugs click on the logo. 

NHS Choices

Nhs choices

To read about Drug addiction: getting help click on the logo. 

Drug Free World

Drugfreeworld

The Foundation for a Drug-Free World is a nonprofit public benefit corporation that empowers youth and adults with factual information about drugs so they can make informed decisions and live drug-free. 

For more information click on the logo. 

Cannabis Skunk Sense

Cannabisskunksense

Cannabis Skunk Sense provides straight-forward facts and research-based advice on cannabis. We aim to raise awareness of the continued and growing dangers to children, teenagers and their families of cannabis use.

For more information click on the logo. 

Narconon

Narconon

There is no mistaking it—drug abuse is a planetwide epidemic. If you or someone you know is caught in the grip of addiction, you are no doubt living in your own personal nightmare.

For more information click on the logo. 

Drug Education

Drug education

NARCONON DRUG PREVENTION AND EDUCATION-for more information click on the logo.