The Truth About Drugs

There is a lot of talk about drugs in the world—on the streets, at parties, on the Internet and TV. Some of it is true, some not. The hype you hear about drugs actually comes from those selling them. Reformed drug dealers have confessed they would have said anything to get others hooked. They don’t care if the drug ruins your life as long as they are making money. To the drug companies, distributors and dealers, it all boils down to marketing for profit. The drug business is a lucrative industry, at the great expense of our well-being and our society—including the drug manufacturers and dealers themselves in the end.

Drugs permeate every aspect of our world today. In fact, an estimated 208 million people internationally consume illegal drugs—and that doesn’t take into account the millions of people in the vicious grip of painkillers and prescription drugs. In the United States, drugs are one of the main killers in our nation. More people die from drug overdose than firearms, HIV or motor vehicle accidents and approximately 88,000 people die from alcohol-related deaths every year.

You probably know someone who has been affected by drugs, directly or indirectly.

We have all heard it before—people tell you “Just say no.” But did anyone ever tell you why? This article briefly covers what drugs are and what they do to the body and mind so that you can make your own informed conclusions to stay alive and drug-free.

WHAT ARE DRUGS?

Drugs are essentially poisons which eventually, and inevitably, destroy the body with excessive or continued use. The amount taken determines the effect. A small amount acts as a stimulant (speeds you up). A greater amount acts as a sedative (slows you down). And even larger amounts can be fatal. This is true of any drug. Only the amount needed to achieve the effect differs.

Many drugs have another liability. They directly affect a person’s greatest asset: their mind. They can distort the user’s view of what is happening around them. As a result, the person’s actions may be odd, irrational, inappropriate and even destructive.

Drugs block off all sensations, both desirable and unwanted ones. They also wipe out perceptions, alertness and slow or prevent a person’s ability to respond to their environment. They can disorient a person and impede their ability to differentiate between what’s real and what’s not. They can permanently destroy the nervous system, vital organs in the body including the brain, and impair memory as well as a person’s ability to compute.

Medicines are drugs that are intended to chemically alter something about the way the body is working. Sometimes they are necessary. But they are still drugs, and many of them are very potent and dangerous which means they inevitably have negative side effects—including addiction. And too much can kill a person. So if medicines are not used judicially, and as they are supposed to be used, they can be just as devastating as illegal drugs.

Some people turn to drugs in an attempt to relieve their troubles or worries. But drugs do not “cure” anything—they only mask the problem. They can disconnect a person mentally or emotionally, giving them a false sense of euphoria. But when the drug wears off, the person crashes—both physically and mentally. With continued use, they plunge deeper and deeper into that dark place of addiction which ultimately leads to self-destruction and death.

The dwindling spiral of drug abuse

People take drugs because they want to change something about their lives. Some turn to drugs to deal with their problems. Many teens start using drugs because of peer pressure or because it’s “popular” and they want to “fit in.” Some people just want to “experiment” or “live a little.” They are mislead to believe drugs are a solution or something “fun” to do.

But no matter the reasons for taking them, drugs eventually lead to very severe problems. And the fact is there are some hard knocks you just don’t need to learn from first-hand experience. No “high” is more valuable than your health, your welfare, your loved ones and your dreams.

THE SOLUTION

The real answer is to get the facts and safeguard yourself, and your future, by not taking drugs in the first place.

Drugs tear families and lives apart. Help us educate others and save lives by ending their destructive grip on our society. One life ruined by drugs is one too many.

For help or more information, including facts about common drugs abused today, visit drugfreeworld.org or contact by e-mail: info@drugfreeworld.org • phone: 1-888 NOTODRUGS (1-888-668-6378).

Drug Free World is the largest and most comprehensive international nongovernmental drug educational and prevention program. Its videos, booklets and teaching aids and free online courses are available in 20 languages.