Q & A

1. Hi, I am from a country outside America. I recently started smoking pot, and I've seen an increase in my school grades and I have become much more vocal in class. I also enjoy acting a lot more. Can you please explain this to me? See the Answer
   I know some people who say the same thing you do. They feel that after smoking pot, there's an increase in their performance for many things. I would be happy to explain why.
   
   The purpose of a drug is to bring a person to another "level" and give them a high. I'm sure you've noticed that when people do drugs (or alcohol), they start to act much differently. They are no longer in their own true character because smoking pot gives them a false sense of confidence . People who smoke it find it...stimulating. However, the reverse usually ends up happening. The high gets tired after a while. At some point, you have to look in the mirror, realize you ARE worth more than drugs and alcohol, and understand that you can be just as good -- even BETTER-- without the drugs as your "motivation." You have to learn how to go for life naturally because the truth is, your "high" will not last. You will start to feel like you need more and more marijuana to get the same high you started off getting. And before you know it, you become an addict, and later on in life, you will find yourself wondering where it all went wrong, and how you could have changed the situation.
   
   THIS is the time to make that change. In the long run, long-term use of marijuana will kill those same memory cells you feel are getting you those better grades. You figure, one marijuana plant contains 400 chemicals and 60 of them are cannabinoids (compounds that deal with the psyche (mind)). All forms of marijuana also contain THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), the main active chemical in marijuana, which alters the way the brain works. So, of course the drug is going to have some impact on you if it's dealing with the fluids surrounding your brain. Studies have proven that the chemicals in marijuana bring cognitive impairment and troubles with learning for the user. "Smoking causes some changes in the brain that are like those caused by cocaine, heroin, and alcohol. Some researchers believe that these changes may put a person more at risk of becoming addicted to other drugs such a cocaine and heroin." (http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/node/1808)
   
   So please, the next day you light up, remember that your central nervous system and brain will be at risk. That's why it's best to just stay away from drugs. It's not worth the outcome.
   
   Hope this helped you. -Always remember, you're cool just as you are. You don't need drugs to "enhance" you because all a drug can do is limit you from being who you truly are. You're worth more... Let people get to know the REAL you! :)
   ~Amber~
   (P.S. If you have any more questions, dare.com & justthinktwice.com are good sources for answers.)
2. Hi, I wonder if you say no to someone who tries to sell you drugs and he keeps following you, what do you do? See the Answer
   People are asked everyday whether they want to smoke, drink, or take drugs. However, most of the time, the people asking you won't actually "follow" you around after you CONFIDENTLY say no to them. I'm not sure if you've ever had D.A.R.E, but during classes the D.A.R.E. officers try to teach us ways of confidently saying "No." Examples of that would be the "cold shoulder", "the repeated approach" (when you consistently say "No" over and over), and even the silent treatment. Just make sure that in any way you decide to say no, that you do it with a lot of self-confidence. Always hold your head up high and make sure that you give a strong "NO!" verses being shy and timid. If the person offering you those drugs or alcohol sees that you are truly sticking to your answer, and that your mind can't be changed, then they normally will leave you alone. If, however, someone actually follows you around, make sure you stay in a public place where there are lots of people because there's strength in numbers. If you're in school and someone continues to follow you or mess with you, go find a trusted adult or teacher and tell them what's going on. Your parents are a good source of help too. Don't be afraid to tell them because you think you're snitching. You're not! Your safety is #1 priority, so take care of yourself. Speak up and speak out to someone that can help you. Don't worry about the rest. And always remember, if things get too out of hand, the police are always there to help you as well. 
3. I just today found out my mom has been using meth for a couple months and she has lied to everybody saying it was pain pills making her all dizzy and not able to walk strait. She told me that she isn't that far into it and she can quit. Plus, apparently, she is almost out. I worry about her because of all the things I know about meth. The worst part is, she doesn't want me telling anybody. Please help. See the Answer

   First of all, I have to tell you that I am really admire you for writing in---doing so really does show a lot about how much you care for your mom...And trust me, you're not alone.

   When I was little, my father also used drugs. It seemed like the more he became involved in it, the more my family fell apart. I cried myself to sleep many days because I hated seeing the effects drugs had on him. He was often irritable, irresponsible, and just, well...not himself. He would also tell me the same thing your mom tells you, "I'm not too far in it and I can ALWAYS quit." Yet, sometimes it felt like that "quitting day" would never come. After a few years of painfully watching my dad literally fall apart, I learned the ultimate secret...We shouldn't hide our feelings from our parents!!!

   As kids, we often tend to think that there is absolutely nothing we can do to help our loved ones. However the truth is, there's A LOT we can do! First, I learned to "EXPRESS" myself. Don't "bottle up" emotions concerning your mom -- time let her know how much you hate her use of drugs. Secondly, be "PERSISTANT"--- I never stopped telling my dad how much his drug use was hurting me as his child, as well as tearing our family apart. Also, keep researching the facts about drugs. Let your mother know that meth is addictive, and users can develop a tolerance quickly, needing larger amounts to get high. In some cases, the user won't even eat or sleep. Meth can also cause strokes, heart attack and even death.

   Really stress to your mom the effects meth can have not only on her life, but on yours as well. Tell her how much you love her and need her to FULLY be there for you. Parents tend to have "soft spots" for their children's concerns. However, we have a way of overtaking that. So, what you have to do is slowly kill those "barriers" with a mother's love. There's a lot hope that she'll come around...My dad did COMPLETELY! Those who meet him now would never think to imagine his past...Just keep hoping, praying, believing, talking and LOVING.

   Finally, one additional thing. Sometimes our parents need more help than what we can give. So, if you ever feel in danger or feel your mom can not stop using meth, please tell another adult you trust. Even though we kids have influence, your mom may need more professional help.

4. If you say no to someone who tries to sell you drugs and he keeps following you, what do you do? See the Answer
   People are asked everyday whether they want to smoke, drink, or take drugs. However, most of the time, the people asking you won't actually "follow" you around after you CONFIDENTLY say no to them. I'm not sure if you've ever had D.A.R.E, but during classes the D.A.R.E. officers try to teach us ways of confidently saying "No." Examples of that would be the "cold shoulder", "the repeated approach" (when you consistently say "No" over and over), and even the silent treatment. Just make sure that in any way you decide to say no, that you do it with a lot of self-confidence. Always hold your head up high and make sure that you give a strong "NO!" verses being shy and timid. If the person offering you those drugs or alcohol sees that you are truly sticking to your answer, and that your mind can't be changed, then they normally will leave you alone. If, however, someone actually follows you around, make sure you stay in a public place where there are lots of people because there's strength in numbers. If you're in school and someone continues to follow you or mess with you, go find a trusted adult or teacher and tell them what's going on. Your parents are a good source of help too. Don't be afraid to tell them because you think you're snitching. You're not! Your safety is #1 priority, so take care of yourself. Speak up and speak out to someone that can help you. Don't worry about the rest. And always remember, if things get too out of hand, the police are always there to help you as well.
5. What do you do if someone puts something in your cup (drink) and someone saw them do it and didn't say anything? See the Answer

   If someone put something in my drink, I would try to focus more on my own well-being and the person who might have actually did it verses the people around who might have seen it happen. It's important to first ALWAYS tell your parents and/or a trusted adult. Tell them EVERYTHING that happened that day----where you where, who you were with, the people you were around, who you suspect, and especially, how your body felt after you drank from the cup. If you had a headache, your stomach hurt, or you felt weird in any way, make sure your parents take you to the emergency room right away! Even if you're not feeling any different, but suspect something happened to your drink, you should still go to the doctor just to make sure nothing's wrong.

   If someone puts something in your drink without your knowledge, they may be trying to confuse you or take advantage of you. Most of the time, the drug Gama Hydroxybutyric Acid (GHB) is used to cause this effect. If you think that you have been drugged, it is best to contact the police and file a report - with your parent's consent, of course. Drugging people with GHB or any other substance is a crime. Anytime someone takes a chance of harming your body, you have the right to take action.

   In the midst of this, always remember to put your safety first. Do not communicate with the person you suspect tampered with your drink, or the people who may have watched—let the police handle that. Your job is to tell your parents (trusted adults), and have a routine check-up with your doctor.

   For future reference, be sure to never leave your drink unattended. Even if you just leave for a moment to use the restroom or speak to a friend, do NOT drink from the same cup. Just get a new one. Your life is very valuable. That means if you can potentially save your life just from getting a new cup, then that’s what you do!

6. What is the most popular drug? See the Answer
   According to some sites, "the most popular drugs used today are caffeine, nicotine and alcohol." However, in schools, the most commonly used drugs would probably be marijuana and prescription drugs. Lots of teens get these drugs from their friends. People use drugs for many reasons. Some use them just because they are curious. Others may try it for the first time with friends, or people they want to "fit in" with. And of course, there are those who think that the drug is an "escape from reality," as if using it will take all their problems away -- it doesn't! As a matter of fact, drugs add even MORE problems to a person's life. Most drugs can cause physical dependence (You feel like you just HAVE to have them or else...!!!) And the withdrawal process is not fun at all. It's not worth the risk or the pain. The worst part is, not only are you harming yourself in the process, but you're also hurting your family, friends, and others who care about you. So, the best thing to do is just stay away from them. Always remember, the very first time of using some drugs can be fatal. And, even if the consequences don't seem to catch up to you right away, you will feel them later on in life. It's totally not worth it...