Why Do People Abuse Drugs?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------You've probably heard people telling you not to take illegal drugs since you were a
little kid. You probably have high hopes and big dreams for your future. If everyone else
has these similar hopes and dreams, how is it possible that someone smart and ambitious
abuses drugs?
Unfortunately, our society is filled with mixed messages. On one hand, you might see
the commercial encouraging you to keep away from drugs of abuse. The next minute you
might be watching a movie where the character thinks drugs are cool. Using illegal drugs,
though, is downright dangerous. They can have permanent, negative effects on your
body. Most are addictive. Illegal drugs are a huge force in car crashes and crimes. If
people share needles, they can contract hepatitis B or HIV. A person can overdose, or
take too much of a drug, and get sick or even die. People using illegal drugs can use poor
judgment, thereby causing many other problems to occur.
IT IS NEVER WORTH THE RISK TO TAKE ILLEGAL DRUGS. So why do
some people start? Some want to experiment and try something new. Some feel
depressed or bored. Some people like high-risk situations. Some think drugs will help
solve their problems. Many experience peer pressure.
The problem with all these reasons is that once a person starts it is hard to stop. He
might like the feeling, but the more he uses, the more he feels he must take. In reality,
drug abuse negatively affects his life.
Drug abuse affects the individual. Drug abuse affects the family. Drug abuse affects
society. You've already learned the individual risks - health problems, accidents, and
violence. For a few minutes of feeling "high," an individual risks everything - college, a
job, and a future. Also, it is a crime just to process illegal drugs.
Drug abuse is a problem for families. What do you think the first thing a family loses
when drugs are involved? Trust is. Teenagers, and other abusers, often have to lie to hide
their problem. Very often they steal money from family members in order to obtain the
drugs. A person that is abusing drugs often reacts strangely to situations, withdraws from
loved ones, breaks rules, changes friends, or dresses differently. At least twenty-five
percent of family violence is connected to drugs.
Drug abuse affects society. Very often a person who uses illegal drugs needs medical
attention. That healthcare is often paid for by the government, which is ultimately
furnished by a working person's paycheck. Drug abuse is also connected to crime. Sixtyfour billion dollars was spent dealing with drug-related crime in 1995. There are so many
cases that many states now have their own drug courts. Of course, there is no way to
estimate the costs of someone who is a victim of a drug abuser.
So, now you know why people start taking drugs. You also know that drug abuse
ultimately affects everyone. It is important, therefore, to say no to drugs. How can you do
that?
Get involved with others who are drug free. Stay active or volunteer. Stay away from
those who use drugs so you won't feel pressured. If you are pressured anyway, say no
anyway. Only you can protect your future. A true friend won't force you to do something
that might hurt you. Say no firmly. Leave the situation to buy yourself time. Be specific
about why you don't do drugs and what would happen if you did. Suggest something else
to do. If all else fails, leave.
Live drug free. Even though you might feel pressured, you will help yourself protect
your future.