Youth|Other Drugs

As human beings, we are hardwired to seek joy, elation, rapture and bliss. Children twirling to experience the altered state of becoming falling-down-dizzy are not far removed from those using mind altering chemicals to achieve the same state. But if the pull upwards into ecstasy is mighty, then the ascent will be imperfect, because with use may come the hell of abuse and for some the descent to addiction.

As a people, we are a nation of drug users. It is our culture, and many Kiwis define themselves by how much they can drink. Yet we only rate in the top 20 for alcohol consumption, but are among the highest users of cannabis, P and ecstasy in the world.

Many of our youth will try solvents, simply because they are there and free, while others may experiment with alcohol and cannabis before stumbling onto barbiturates, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamine, narcotics and the opiates ...

Please realise, that the temptation to experiment is great, but the risks are even greater.

I leave you with two quotes from a book called "The Great Brain Robbery" written by Tom Scott & Trevor Grice.

Despite what you may hear in the school grounds, read in some magazines ... you cannot buy euphoria. At best you can lease it temporarily and the charges are high.

People take mood altering chemicals because they enjoy altering their moods. But for every high there is a low; for every trip a return journey.