Pubdate: Wed, 12 Oct 2005 
Source: Weymouth News (MA)
Copyright: 2005 Weymouth News 
Contact:  
Website: http://www2.townonline.com/weymouth/ 
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3594 
Author: Jim Bowen 
Note: Officer Jim Bowen is the former DARE officer of the town.

YOUNG PEOPLE, IT'S TIME TO TAKE A STAND 

To all of you wonderful young people out there, it is time for you to
take a stand against drugs and violence.

You know that drugs like alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, pills, etc. are
not only highly addictive and deadly, but are also gateway drugs to
other drugs like cocaine or heroin. We are entering a time as you may
already know, when heroin is on the rise and people  who have never in
their wildest dreams thought they would ever be using heroin are now
addicted to the drug. Most of them were involved with pain killers like  
oxycontin, but have found it to be difficult to get and very expensive,
so they  turn to heroin at about $4.00 a bag. This is a very
frightening situation for our society, because you know that in time
the price will go up and people who are addicted to the drug will have
to resort to  crime to satisfy their addiction.

However, the worst drug in our society is the one that is available in
almost every home. It has sadly been socially accepted  into our
society, but in fact is the cause of more crime, violence, car crashes,  
arrests, sexual assault, pregnancy, family problems, job loss,
homelessness, depression, suicide, sickness, death and is a major
gateway drug. That drug is alcohol.

Alcohol is without a doubt one of the most addictive drugs in our 
society.

As a  matter of fact, in many cases a person can become addicted to
alcohol on their first try. If you question this piece of information,
ask an alcoholic, a person addicted to alcohol, if he or she can
remember their first drink. Not only will they will be able remember
it, but they will be able to tell you the time, place, and what they
were drinking the day they became addicted. Now they are struggling
with a lifelong problem which affects them every day. Additionally in a
high percentage of cases when people try illegal drugs like cocaine
etc. they have been drinking alcohol.

Think about it, what sober, clear thinking  person would even think of
snorting cocaine up their nose, trying acid, using illegal medications,
or injecting heroin into their arm. Oh yeah, and being in possession of
alcohol is illegal if you are under 21 years old. It's a crime.

The bottom line is this, if you're drinking, you're drugging.

Until we can admit that alcohol is the worst drug in our society, we
will never truly be able to end the drug problem in our world.

As you are aware, others around us can sometimes be the cause or
influence of why some kids use drugs. So do the  right thing and look
deep within yourself and don't follow the poor choices sometimes made
by your friends or sadly, even your family.

Make the only good choice and that is the drug free one. Don't look
down at people who use drugs, instead look down at drugs.

As I have always said, "I don't hate people who use drugs, I hate drugs
and what they do to good people." Find the good in others and believe
in yourself.

It's time for the young people of today to band together and take a
stand against drugs.

Support one another, talk to your friends who are drinking and or using
drugs and convince them to stop or get help to quit. Be the one who has
the courage to say no, and your friends will look up to you and follow
you. You are the only person who can make you take drugs, no one else.

Never forget how important it is to be drug free, not only for your
success in life, but also for your own self-respect. Also know that
many adults really do believe in you and only want the best for you,
especially me. Remember the word respect and have respect for yourself
and others.

Be proud of who you are, and remember there is only one of you in the
whole world, you cannot be anyone but yourself.

The only way things are going to change is if you change them. There is
no greater feeling than being able to look someone right in the eyes
and proudly say "I don't use alcohol or other drugs". You are all role
models to someone, be a great one. Remember, you can change the world.
DARE To take a stand.
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MAP posted-by: Matt Elrod