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 2009 86.5% 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.

www.drugabuse.gov/drug-facts

www.webmd.com

www.detoxland.com/drug-facts

Shelby County Health Department, Tobacco Risk Reduction Program