Q & A

1. Have you ever been pressured by an older person to do drugs? If so, how did you respond? See the Answer

   Thanks for the question. I've been offered drugs from kids older than me, maybe as old as 22, but not older than that. It is always hard when it is someone who is older because you feel more pressured to do what they say, but you have to remember to stick to your guns and be strong.
   

   When offered drugs, there are various responses I use like, "No, I'm not into that stuff," or just an easy "No thanks," does it. I've learned that the less you say and move on to the next subject the quicker it gets them off your back. If they ever persist to pressure me, I'll be more forward and tell them "Seriously drop it, I don't want any. "
   

   In all the times I've been asked, people usually handle a decline pretty well; there are a lot of people who don't want to try drugs, no matter what some may think. If they ever kid around or tease you for saying no -- which I have also experienced -- just shrug it off and know you did the right thing. Just walk away. I hope this helps.

2. Hey Jade, I'm 19 years old and a freshmen in college. Although you have chosen not to try marijuana, which is respectable, have you noticed any significant long-term differences in people in your school who do drink and smoke? To this day, I have not noticed any difference between my peers who smoke, although I can not say the same for alcohol users since they often have to deal with the effects of them making dumb drunk decisions. Undeniably, the majority of high schoolers either drink or smoke, and 100 million Americans admit to smoking marijuana (1/3 of the entire united states population); polls show the majority of the country would like to see marijuana decriminalized. My questions to you, since we have different views on these substances, are these- Do you think the effects of marijuana on its users are worth over 30 BILLION dollars a year in tax payer money well 89% of these marijuana arrests are for non-violent possession charges only? Also, do you feel that marijuana is a bad enough drug to leave a black spot on peoples records that stays with them for rest of their life? Lastly, do you think students from lower and middle income families should not receive help paying fro college because of such a charge? Marijuana use has not significantly went up in states that have decriminalized and marijuana use has not went down since the drug war began. I was just wondering your view on this since you are strongly against these drugs, and I was wondering if you think its bad enough for all those consequences. Please keep in mind that these resources, if marijuana were decriminalized or legalized, could be used to go after harder drugs and the black market connection that makes it easier for marijuana users to go to harder drugs from marijuana essentially eliminating any "gateway effect" marijuana or alcohol may have. See the Answer

   To answer your question, marijuana is a dangerous drug and its long-term affects should be taken seriously and our society should continue to fight to keep it illegal. Although you make good points about what you may "see" in your friends' drug use and its effects, keep in mind a couple of key things. First, alcohol itself can certainly harm the body if not consumed in extreme moderation, and it is illegal until the age of 21. And second, marijuana has a number of health effects that aren't always seen at first glance, including increase of bronchitis, emphysema and asthma. Extended marijuana use increases risk to the lungs and reproductive system, and marijuana users typically lack motivation.

   Some people have to learn things the hard way and if that means them having a black spot on their record, well, then I think its okay. As for your question about college, I do think that even people who make mistakes should have an opportunity to pull it together; therefore, I believe situations should be taken on a case-by-case basis. If a student is going to make an effort to lead a healthy lifestyle, I think they should still be considered for funding.

   Thank you so much for your questions and good luck in college!

3. Hi Jade, we have been warned about the substance called "Meth" which is made of Battery Acid, Drano, Antifreeze, Sudafed, Kitty Liter, Lye, and Lithium Battery and has laid a path of destruction through the Midwest. Additionally, the medical facts state that when a batch is made correctly a person can get addicted with just 2 to 3 hits...and then has a 13% chance of ever getting sober because of the hideous effect it has on the brain's neurotransmitters. My question is why do you think this substance is being presented as the same "Crystal Meth," "Ice," "Speed," "Methamphetamine," and many other names that have been around for years, but surely has not caused the magnitude of damage the new substance does. Doesn't that lead people to believe that it is one thing when it is clearly a completely different drug? See the Answer
   Meth is indeed a seriously dangerous drug and is spreading rapidly across the nation. Meth comes in various forms and each form has its given name. For example, when meth is smoked, it it called Ice, Crystal, Crank and Glass. All forms are made with some of the same ingredients and all attack the central nervous system. I don't believe that the experts are trying to mislead us about the drug, I just think they are trying to educate us on the dangers of the deadly drug and its many forms and names. I hope this helps. There are many web sites that you can visit for additional information about meth. I'd suggest you begin with www.dea.gov, www.teens.drugabuse.gov and www.justthinktwice.com. Please help me in educating everyone close to you about the dangers of meth.
4. Hi, I have a 20 year old brother and his friends are trying to get him to smoke and do drugs. He tries to get away, but they do not let him, and he tells people, and they do not do anything. What should I tell my brother? See the Answer
   Although I don't have a brother who is older than me, I have guy friends that are like my brothers and that are also around that age. It sounds like your brother is doing the right thing by saying no and trying to stay away from all that stuff. If I were you, I would tell your brother not to give up hope. Tell him to keep saying no and eventually his friends will learn that your brother doesn't want to and will not do drugs. If he wants info about the drugs his friends are doing, tell him about the just think twice website (www.justthinktwice.com). Also, the next time his friends ask him if he wants any drugs, tell him to ask them if they know what those drugs can do to them...that might make them think twice! But, if he does that, make sure he knows the answers as to what those drugs can do to them. It's always good to shoot a question right back at someone, when they ask you to do something you don't want to do!:)
   
   It sounds like you really care about your brother and that you two are really close -- I like that! I also want to say that you are a great little sister to be doing this for your brother -- I'm proud of you! Keep up the great work, and I hope this will help you!
5. Hi, I'm very scared of what one of my friends' does. I'm a pre-teen, and I am just very scared of one of my guy friends. He smokes weed. I don't know what to do. Should I tell the counselor? Do I need to talk to him about this? What do I do? He's like a brother to me, and I don't want to get him in trouble. I have never smoked or done drugs in my life, and I don't plan on it. I am just confused. I have never been on this site, and I remembered the other day about what we learned in DARE. He is influenced by rap songs and his big brother. I love him like a bro, and I really need to make him stop. I can and I know he won't hurt me. Also, one day I was teasing him and I said, ya I want some weed man -- and I said JUST KIDDING (I know its not cool to joke around about that) and I asked him why he does it, and he says its cool and I should try. Well of course I'm going to say HECK NO!! I would never get near that nasty stuff haha. See the Answer
   I understand how you are feeling, I would try talking to him first before you go to anyone for help. Show him the www.justthinktwice website and the Teens Ask Teens questions so that he can see what weed can do to him. Don't try to push it on him because then he might not listen, just take it one step at a time. If that doesn't work, then go to your mom or dad or someone that you can talk to about it and see what they will do to help you, because they will want to help!
   I am so proud of you for saying no to smoking weed and for wanting to help someone you love to stop smoking it! I can see that you really do care about your friend and that is amazing! But like I said, don't push him into it, take it one step at a time. If he is the best friend you say he is, I'm sure he will listen to you and hopefully he will try to stop. You said he does it because of the rap music he listens to and his big brother...you can't stop him from listening to rap music and you can't stop him from hanging out with his brother -- but you can try to help him and show him what smoking weed can do to him!
   Good luck and hope this helps!
6. Hi, my ex smoked marijuana and would get angry when I asked him to stop. After he eventually dumped me, I was distraught and started huffing household chemicals to stop the pain. I nearly got addicted to it and stopped, and now I try to be a positive influence on others and educate them about drug abuse. When I tell them my opinion of pot I am always yelled at or attacked for my beliefs. How can I make them understand what drugs can do? Thanks for being active in DARE and for any help you can give me. See the Answer
   I want to tell you how proud I am of you for putting an end to your huffing and for using your voice to try and tell people what drugs can do. My advice for you would be to not give up on trying to help others, as drugs can be so harmful. Look up information and even get pictures of those who have done drugs as evidence and continue to stand your ground. Often our friends think they are invincible and that they can't ruin their lives by doing drugs. But, they can. Addiction is harmful to all involved and often tragic. You are heading in the right direction though with trying to help your friends. There is a ton of information on justthinktwice.com and the D.A.R.E. website, www.dare.com to help you. I wish you luck!:) Here's to a healthy lifestyle.
7. I just wanna know some of the effects on the family caused by ecstasy? See the Answer
   The impact of ecstasy on a family could be devastating. Ecstasy is a very powerful, dangerous and harmful drug. If a family member is watching someone go through this sort of addiction and trying to get them help, there would no doubt be fear, sadness, and hurt associated with this. The user would likely distance themselves from their family, and they would feel really bad because or this. I think the family would also be very worried and concerned about the negative health affects that ecstasy could have, including overdose and the possibility of death. I hope you do not plan to ever use ecstasy because it could hurt you, as well as others around you. If you know a family member that may need help due to addiction to this drug, please speak to a D.A.R.E. officer, school counselor, adult relative, or friend that can help. Your Friend,
 Jade
8. I thank you all so much for the advice that you give people, and I was hoping you could do the same for me. I have an older friend who says he just "socially" does drugs. But I can see it is taking over his life. He is using it whenever people offer it to him, and the worst part of it all, is that it can be any drug. He doesn't care. He often tells me he just does it socially, like how people socially drink. And he also comes back with saying how he never buys the drugs, which he is giving off the message that how can he really be addicted? But I know better. This has just recently started this summer, and I can see it is getting worse as time goes on. I and some of his other friends have tried talking to him. But we get nothing but him telling us to just calm down and stop worrying about things. What can I possibly say to him? See the Answer

   Like you, I know people that do drugs "socially." If I were you, I would do some research about the drugs he is taking and show him what those drugs are doing to him. He needs to know that drugs can ruin his body. Have him sit down with you and some of your friends and talk to him about what he is doing. Show him that you care about him and the direction he his headed if he keeps this up. Maybe by you telling him that you care about him and by showing him what these drugs can do to him, he will stop. Good luck and I hope it all works out! Keep your head high and whatever you decide to do don't give up!

   P.S. encourage him to visit our DEA website -- www.justthinktwice.com -- it has some great information about the consequences of drug use, how it affects your health, your family and friends, and even the legal problems that it can cause.

9. I want to get the information straight. My health class teacher told us that marijuana is not addictive and does not give you cancer like cigarettes or is not as dangerous as the other drugs like cocaine, meth, etc. Is that true? Why is it so bad to smoke marijuana if it's not that bad for you? See the Answer
   Not only is marijuana illegal, but it can also cause many health problems. Marijuana smokers can experience the same health problems as tobacco smokers, such as increase of bronchitis, emphysema and asthma. Extended marijuana use increases risks to the lungs and reproductive system, and marijuana users typically lack motivation. Here are some sites that might help you to understand how marijuana affects the body and mind: www.nida.nih.gov; which is for the science of drug abuse, teens.drugabuse.gov, which is the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) teen website, and www.justthinktwice.com, click on drugs and marijuana. I hope these sites help you to understand the health risks involved with smoking marijuana.
10. I want to know- if I smoke marijuana, will I die? THANX See the Answer
    Marijuana effects are felt within minutes. Depending on the dosage and other variables, users can feel relaxed, and have altered senses of smell, sight, taste and hearing, distorted senses of time, shifting sensory imagery, rapidly fluctuating emotions, fragmentary thoughts, impaired memory and dulling of attention. High doses of marijuana can result in hallucinations. Marijuana smokers experience the same health problems as tobacco smokers such as bronchitis, emphysema, and bronchial asthma. Extended use is associated with anti-motivational syndrome, lung damage, and risk to reproductive systems. While there have been no reported deaths from marijuana use, there are risks you do take when doing marijuana. I advise you not to do marijuana. It won't make you cool or anything like that, it will just harm your body and ruin your health. If you need anymore information, go to www.justthinktwice.com. It's where I got all my information!
11. Is D.A.R.E a good thing for teenagers? See the Answer
    YES!! D.A.R.E. is a very good thing for teenagers!! It has been a big part of my life, and I'm so glad I went through the D.A.R.E. Program. It has made me think twice about my decisions, and I am so glad I made the choice to be apart of such a great program even into my high school years!! I hope you make the choice to stay drug free just like me and other D.A.R.E grads! To learn more about D.A.R.E., go to www.dare.org.
    Your Friend,
    Jade
12. Ok I just was browsing the Internet and I couldn't find anything other than gossip that marijuana is bad, but on the other hand in my little research I found many studies done to prove that its not a gateway drug, not addictive, and has no long-term effects other than the smoking it (which all smoke is). To get to my point, I want to know where you get your information. I'm not trying to insult you or D.A.R.E. or anything, I respect the organization, but from the stuff I have read on 20+ sites, I don't think it should be illegal and for medical purposes such as cancer patients and other conditions. By the way, I don't smoke, but hang with potheads and I pretty much fit in with them even though they smoke and I don't. Please give me a link to your information sight with an actual study that proves or disproves it and not just blank statements without a reason why. See the Answer
    Hi, There are many sites that give good information about why marijuana is bad for you. Even though you don't smoke it, there may be temptations if others around you are doing this. I understand they are your friends, but you don't want your friends to ruin their lives by smoking marijuana. Here are some sites that might help you to understand how marijuana affects the body and mind: www.nida.nih.gov; which is for the science of drug abuse, teens.drugabuse.gov, which is the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) teen website, and you might want to also try www.justthinktwice.com. Hope these sites help you understand the health risks involved with smoking marijuana.
13. What about Psilocybin Cubensis and peyote? My friends recently came back from the southwest with some cactus cuttings and the above fungus.
    See the Answer
    Peyote is a small, spineless cactus. The ingredient in peyote that makes it active is the hallucinogen mescaline. Peyote and mescaline are not legal in the United States. Psilocybin is a chemical obtained from certain types of fresh or dried mushrooms that are found in tropical and subtropical regions of Central America, Mexico, and the United States. Psilocybin mushrooms are not legal in the United States.
14. What do you do when other teens ask you to smoke weed? See the Answer
    Hi, I have never been asked to smoke weed before, but I know people who do and who have been asked to do it. If I was asked to smoke weed, I would say "no thank you" and walk away. Don't be rude, but at the same time say "no" in a way that will let them know that you don't want to and that you don't want to be asked again.
15. Why do you think kids do drugs even though they know it is bad for them? See the Answer
    I think some kids do drugs because they want attention. I know kids that do it just because they think they will become cool and everyone will want to be like them! I, for one, don't see why they think that because they are only hurting themselves. Please don't do drugs, it won't make you cool, it will only hurt you!!