99 Saskatchewan Federation of Police Officers REASONS TO SAY NO TO DRUGS People have many reasons for using drugs, and your teenager may be considering some of them. They also may have misconceptions about how many people are using drugs. Talking to them about why they can choose to say no is one of the best ways you can help them. THE TRUTH ABOUT DRUG USE Your teenager might think that everybody but them is experimenting with drugs. This may seem true because they see drug use: > on television, in movies and on social > media, > when hanging out with friends, or > at parties and concerts. REASONS PEOPLE MAY USE DRUGS There are plenty of reasons why some people use drugs. Here are some of the common ones and some of the reasons why your teenager might choose a drug-free life. EVERYBODY ELSE IS DOING IT. I WANT TO FIT IN. > They may consider doing drugs because > they think it will help them fit in. > Instead of helping you fit in, drugs could > actually destroy your friendships. > Drugs can waste your time and money, > leaving little of either to spend with your > friends. > You do not have to do all the same things > your friends do, just to keep your > friendships MY LIFE IS STRESSFUL. DRUGS HELP ME COPE. > Drugs are not the way to deal with stress. > They change the way your brain works. > This can lead to depression, anxiety, and > other mental illnesses. > If you already have a mental health issue, > drugs can worsen your condition. > The best way to deal with stress is to > confront it without using drugs. Try to > identify what is causing your stress, and > find a healthier way to handle it. Some > good options are: > » hanging out with your friends who do not > use drugs > » doing something you enjoy doing like > > exercise or sports, art, music, meditation > or yoga > » watching television, surfing the web, > or reading a book > Sometimes seeking support and the help of > others can help with the stress. Talk to > someone you can trust, such as: > » a therapist (mental health professional), > » a school guidance counsellor, a teacher > or coach, > » your best friend, > » your parents, or > » a telephone helpline. Photo credit - drugfreekidscanada.org continued
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