EQUIPPING OUR YOUTH
OUR YOUTH
The World Health Organization defines 'psychoactive drugs as substances that, when taken in or administered into one's system, affect mental processes, e.g. perception, consciousness, cognition or mood and emotions' Psychoactive drugs can be categorized into stimulants, depressants, opiates, and hallucinogens.
​
Drugs can be legal or illegal. Legal drugs are subject to quality control whereas illegal drugs are not subject to quality or price controls and the amount of active ingredients vary. Chances of overdose and even death are high in this case.
DRUG ABUSE
A drug is abused when:
-
It is illegally used
-
Used to produce a different looking condition than
intended -
Used without prescription for controlled ones or use
that ignores -
Prescription instructions
Seeking and using that is compulsive despite harmful consequences. Addiction is a disease that makes you self-centered to see the havoc you created or to care about the people whose lives you have shattered. Once addicted, it is very difficult to voluntarily cease or modify using – causes withdrawal when use is interrupted
WHY YOUTH USE DRUGS
Adolescence is a crucial time for development of addiction.
Please watch this short video to learn more
PSYCHOACTIVE DRUGS
ADDICTION
Imagine you are forty and your entire life flashes before your eyes, will it be worth watching? Will it be full of regrets or accomplishments? Will it be filled with wishes of the things you did not do? Or will it be full of things you did and you wish you hadn't?
Maybe you got distracted from achieving your goal; maybe you failed to try harder; maybe you joined bad company; maybe you were waiting for somebody to give you permission, to tell you it is okay to go on; maybe you were trapped in living up to the expectations of the society that you lost yourself in the process, maybe ,maybe, mabybe!
I want to remind you that nobody can give you permission to live your life. So today, take control of your life: be the author of your story. You have a choice on how you live and what people you surround yourself with. You can create the possible life for you. Make no excuses - demand the best from yourself, raise the bar, stay consitent towards your goal. You have greatness within you that is waiting to be explored. Don't waste it.
Among the things that most adults have regrets on is the use and subsequent abuse of drugs, alcohol and other substances that lead to addiction.
​
​
​
​
SAVE YOUR BRAIN - JUST SAY NO TO DRUGS
-
To kill Idleness or boredom
-
Out of curiosity
-
Due to media and or peer influences
-
To escape their pain
-
To fit in
-
To rebel
HOW PEOPLE TAKE DRUGS
-
Swallowing
-
Inhaling
-
Snorting
-
Injecting
-
Rectally or vaginally as a suppository
The methods of administration will determine the amount of drug and the speed with which the substance that is delivered into the bloodstream, where it is carried to the brain.
DRUGS AND THE ADOLESCENT BRAIN
Adolescents brains are 'wired' differently than adults. Adolescents tend to use the amygdala more. This is the emotional area of the brain for making decisions. This is because the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for executive decisions, is one of the last areas of the brain to mature (usually by the age of 25). Use of drugs at this critical time of their lives may cause major damages to the developing brain, some of them irreversible. Research has shown that the younger an adolescent begins using drugs, including marijuana, the more likely it is that drug dependence or addiction will develop in adulthood (1)
​
Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit substance among
young people. Yet it has been found to have far-reaching
effects in the life other user but the youth are either unaware
of the mood-altering and physiological effects or they just
don’t care.
​
The American Medical Association (AMA) says "cannabis for
medicinal use should not be legalized through the state
legislative, ballot initiative or referendum process".
​
​
"While it is possible there may be beneficial medicinal uses of marijuana, numerous
evidence-based studies demonstrate that significant. deleterious effects abound".
Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA has not approved any product
containing or derived from botanical marijuana for any medication.
This means that the FDA has not found any such product to be safe
or effective for the treatment of any disease or condition.
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) opposes legalization of marijuana because of the potential harm to children and adolescents.
​
OVOM advocates for total abstinence from harmful and illegal drugs:
-
As a youth, you can choose to stay away from places and the people who use drugs. It is much easier to stay sober than to fix the addiction.
-
Never think that you are invincible. Nobody gets into drugs with the aim of getting addicted.
-
Don’t stress what other people think about your decision not to use drugs, JUST SAY NO!!! You do not have to explain yourself to anyone.
-
Stick with people you trust. Find an adult you can count on.
-
Party soberly. Learn how to enjoy life with natural highs i.e. dancing, biking, exercise, joining a school club etc...Spend time with people you care about without adding alcohol or drugs.
-
Educate yourself: Substance use, recovery, and even the substances used change all the time. Being informed keeps you a step ahead.
-
Plan ahead: Having a game plan is essential in case someone entices you to indulge.
-
Set a positive example: Believe it or not, your choices affect other people, be worthy emulating.
-
Be your brother’s keeper
-
Learn healthy ways of handling stress.
-
Seek strength from God.
FIGHT FOR YOUR BRAINS: JUST SAY NO TO DRUGS
​
If you are already dependent on drugs or you know someone who needs help. Not all is lost. Reach out. CONTACT US
WHAT DO EXPERTS SAY ABOUT MARIJUANA