Make the Healthy Choice! Make the Best Choice! BE DRUG FREE!

Among MCS middle school students 60.9% have NEVER had a drink of alcohol.

Seventy four percent of MCS middle school students have NEVER tried cigarette smoking…not even one or two puffs.

In % of MCS middle school kids reported NEVER using marijuana.

Ninety-eight percent of MCS middle school students have NEVER used cocaine, heroin, or methamphetamines.

 MCS students know that…  Drug use is illegal and they can get into trouble with the law.  They can become addicted.  Their brains are still developing and they may damage them.  Drug use kills thousands of teens each year.  Using drugs interferes with school work and they may not graduate from high school.  They can be robbed, raped, or assaulted if under the influence of drugs.

 Name other reasons why you wouldn’t start using drugs.  How would you feel about yourself if you allow drugs to put a hold on your dreams?  How do you think drugs will affect your relationships with others?  How do you resist drugs without fear of being not being “cool” or “square”?

 Addiction means a person has no control over whether he or she uses a drug or drinks.  The earlier a teen starts to use drugs, the more likely it is that he will become addicted.  A lot of people think they can kick the problem on their own, but that doesn't work for most people.  It's not a sign of weakness if you need professional help from a trained drug counselor or therapist.

 Alcohol…  is a depressant, which means it slows the function of the central nervous system.  blocks some of the messages trying to get to the brain.  alters a person's perceptions, emotions, movement, vision, and hearing.  decreases teens' ability to pay attention.  can cause or mask other emotional problems, like anxiety or depression.

 Marijuana users…  Are less satisfied with their lives than those who do not use marijuana.  May develop psychosis (a mental condition that is characterized by hallucinations).  Have trouble remembering things that they just learned.  This has a direct relationship with academic performance and study habits.  Have poor judgment and motor coordination that can slow reaction time.

 Cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine…  Can cause you to forget things more and have poor motor skills for activities (e.g. sports, dancing).  Can make you depressed and paranoid.  Is linked to the development of Parkinson’s Disease (a disease that affects your motor skills, speech, movement).  May be a cause of a student’s low performance in school.

 Teens who do not drink…  are less likely to get fat or have health problems, too.  Have normally functioning organs, such as the liver, heart, and brain.  Are less likely to engage in sexual activity, have unprotected sex, or have sex with a stranger.  Are less likely to be involved in deadly accidents.

 Teens who don’t use tobacco…  Have more money to spend on shopping and school activities.  Look and smell better than those who do use tobacco.  Know that tobacco companies specifically target kids to use their products.  Have more energy and will live a better quality of life than smokers.  Visit the doctor less.

 Teens who choose not to use marijuana…  Are more satisfied with their lives.  Land better jobs than users.  Have better relationships with others.  Are less likely to have mental problems in the future.  Are more focused and attentive.

 Teens who avoid using cocaine, heroin, and meth…  Are able to focus on more important things instead of worrying about their next fix.  Have healthy immune systems and do not get sick as often.  Are more often in a better mood.  Are less likely to contract HIV/AIDS and hepatitis.  Have a smaller chance of dying from a heart attack or stroke.

*Effects of methamphetamine use after 5 years.

 communicate with their parents about drugs and know the consequences of their use.  have adequate parental supervision.  participate in extracurricular activities to avoid risky behavior.  talk to their parents or another trusted adult about stress or other personal issues.  BE DRUG FREE!

 Are goal oriented.  Perform better in school.  Are more likely to succeed.  Have positive relationships with others.  Are overall happier in their lives.

    Shelby County Health Department, Tobacco Risk Reduction Program