For the community to come on board, we need to know which substances are being abused and how to SAY NO. Things that people take to change the way they feel, think or behave, are called psychoactive substances. These include alcohol. Some drugs are made from plants, such as the coca bush for cocaine, opium poppies for heroin and cannabis for marijuana (Dagga). Other drugs such as Ecstasy and LSD are made by synthesizing different chemicals.
Drugs fall into three categories:
Depressants: heroin, barbiturates, mandrax, alcohol. Stimulants: cocaine, crack, ecstasy, amphetamines. Hallucinogens: marijuana, LSD.
How to help a Friend who might have a PROBLEM:
Don’t try to deal with it alone – Find a trusted adult to talk to, or phone a help line about the best way to go about helping and what options are.
Stick by your Friend – don’t turn your back on them but make it clear what is and isn’t acceptable behaviour.
Suggest what they might do, but don’t nag – They will have to make their own decisions.
Offer to go with them – or help them to make a phone call if they do decide they want help.
Find out all you can about the available options for help.
Don’t bargain with or threaten them.
Encourage them to believe that they can change and they can do something about their problem.
What do drugs do to your SYSTEM?
People sometimes think that some drugs, such as dagga and Ecstasy, are not so dangerous. But these drugs can damage your body and future prospects. All illegal drugs are dangerous and cause physical and psychological changes in the user. Prolonged drug use intensifies these harmful effects and can lead to addiction. There is no safe way to use illegal drugs.
The rights of the individual must be consistent with the safety and welfare of the general population. No individual has a right to behave in a manner destructive to others. Addicts become weak individuals. No one begins taking drugs with the aim of becoming addicted.
The user’s family suffers in witnessing the self-destruction of a loved one. The employer is adversely affected by lost productivity, sloppy work, increased number of accidents, absenteeism and rising health care costs.
Taxpayers suffer because they pay for Government efforts in law enforcement and treatment to combat drug crimes and rehabilitate users.
Will you say “Ke MOJA” when you need to?
Drugs can be swallowed, inhaled, smoked, injected and snorted. Prepare to refuse and practice these skills with your parents or friends.
If offered drugs, a decision has to be made. It cannot be postponed. So, plan ahead of time what you will do.
Some Ideas:
Say “Ke MOJA”. No thanks, I’m fine!”
Leave the scene.
Change the subject.
Suggest an alternative activity.
Give a reason: think of one and stick to it.
Laugh it off.
Make a joke about the offer.
Ignore the offer.
Why is ADDICTION a Problem?
Apart from the things drugs do to your body, they also:
Cost a lot of money. Some people turn to crime to pay for their addiction.
Take away control you have over yourself, your choices and your future.
Make you more likely to say yes to (unprotected) sex, which could lead to u n w a n t e d p r e g n a n c y, s e x u a l l y transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS.
Decide whether it is possible for you to stay friends with people who use drugs and alcohol. Only you can control your choices, be prepared to stay in control! Drug addiction rips families apart and leads to heartache and despair. But it’s not just about addiction. Using drugs, even just occasionally, can lead to slowed development and lost potential. For example, finding it more difficult to concentrate or recall things and generally not doing as well as you could.
