M YTHS There may be a variety of reasons that teens use drugs. You think that everyone uses drugs as a young person. Doing drugs is harmless! I want get addicted! This is absolutely untrue. Drug use is NOT common among teenage children. Those that do drugs make up the MINORITY of drug users. Let’s take a look to see just how UNCOMMON drug use is among Memphis City School students. You may be hanging with the wrong crowd.

A LCOHOL Among MCS high school students 43.1% have NEVER had a drink of alcohol. In the last thirty days, 75.8% have NOT drank alcohol.

C IGARETTE S MOKING 65% of MCS high school students have NEVER tried cigarette smoking…not even one or two puffs.

M ARIJUANA In 2009, 60.5% of MCS high school kids reported NEVER using marijuana. 77.9% reported NOT using marijuana in the last 30 days.

M ETH, H EROIN, C OCAINE 98% of MCS high school students have NEVER used cocaine, heroin, or methamphetamines.

W HY ? 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.

D ISCUSSION 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”?

A DDICTION 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.

M ENTAL E FFECTS 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.

M ENTAL E FFECTS 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.

M ENTAL E FFECTS 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.

H EALTH 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.

H EALTH 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.

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

H EALTH 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 likely to be in a better mood. Are less likely to contract HIV/AIDS and hepatitis. Decrease risks of dying from a heart attack or stroke.

T HE RESULT OF DRUGGING AND DRIVING …

D ON ’ T AGE BEFORE IT ’ S TIME ! *Effects of methamphetamine use after 5 years.

S MART TEENS MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE TO … Communicate with their parents about drugs and know the consequences of their use. Participate in extracurricular activities to avoid risky behavior. Talk to their parents and trusted adults about stress or other personal issues. Hang with other teens who don’t use drugs! BE DRUG FREE!

D RUG - FREE TEENS IN M EMPHIS C ITY S CHOOLS … Are goal oriented. Perform better in school. Are more likely to succeed. Have positive relationships with others. Are overall happier in their lives.

B E IN THE M AJORITY. B E D RUG F REE.

R EFERENCES Shelby County Health Department, Tobacco Risk Reduction Program