Drogas

  
Drugs are chemicals that change the way aperson's body works. You've probablyheard that drugs are bad for you, but whatdoes that mean and why are they bad?
Medicines Are Legal DrugsIf you've ever been sick and had to take medicine, you alreadyknow about one kind of drugs. Medicines are legal drugs,meaning doctors are allowed to prescribe them for patients,stores can sell them, and people are allowed to buy them. But it'snot legal, or safe, for people to use these medicines any way theywant or to buy them from people who are selling them illegally.
Cigarettes and AlcoholCigarettes and alcohol are two other kinds of legal drugs. (In theUnited States, adults 18 and older can buy cigarettes and those21 and older can buy alcohol.) But smoking and excessive drinkingare not healthy for adults and are off limits for kids.
Illegal Drugs
When people talk about a "drug problem," they usually meanabusing legal drugs or using illegal drugs, such as marijuana,ecstasy, cocaine, LSD, crystal meth, and heroin. (Marijuana isgenerally an illegal drug, but some states allow doctors torecommend it to adults for certain illnesses.)
Why Are Illegal Drugs Dangerous?Illegal drugs aren't good for anyone, but they are particularly badfor a kid or teen whose body is still growing. Illegal drugs candamage the brain, heart, and other important organs. Cocaine,for instance, can cause a heart attack — even in a kid or teen.
While using drugs, people are also less able to do well in school,sports, and other activities. It's often harder to think clearly andmake good decisions. People can do dumb or dangerous thingsthat could hurt them — or other people — when they use drugs.
WhyDo People Use Illegal Drugs?
Sometimes kids and teens try drugs to fit in with a group of friends. Or they might be curious or just bored. Someone may use illegal drugs for many reasons, but often because they help the person escape from reality for a while. A drug might — temporarily — make someone who is sad or upset feel better or forget about problems. But this escape lasts only until thedrug wears off.
Drugs don't solve problems, of course. And using drugs often causes other problems on top of the problems the person had in the first place. Somebody who uses drugs can become dependent on them, or addicted. This means that the person's body becomes so accustomed to having this drug that he or she can't function well without it.
Once someone is addicted, it's very hard to stoptaking drugs. Stopping can cause withdrawal symptoms, such as vomiting(throwing up), sweating, and tremors (shaking). These sick feelings continue until the person's body gets adjusted to being drug free again.
Can I Tell If Someone Is Using Drugs?
If someone is using drugs, you might notice changes in how the person looks or acts. Here are some of those signs, but it's important to remember thatdepression or another problem could be causing these changes. Somebody using drugs might:
* lose interest in school
* change friends (to hang out with kids who use drugs)
* become moody, negative, cranky, or worried all the time
* ask to be left alone a lot
* have trouble concentrating
* sleep a lot (maybe even in class)
* get in fights
* have red or puffy eyes
*lose or gain weight
* cough a lot
* have a runny nose all of the time
What Can I Do to Help?
If you think someone is using drugs, the best thing to do is to tell an adult that you trust. This could be a parent, other relative, teacher, coach, or school counselor. The person might need professional help to stop using drugs. A grownup can help the person find the treatment needed to stopusing drugs. Another way kids can help kids is by choosing not to try or use drugs. It's a good way for friends to stick together.
Words to Know
Understanding drugs and why they are dangerous is another good step for a kid to take. Here are some words that may be new to you:
Addiction (say: uh-dik-shun)...