Culled from our instructional materials: S.A.F.E™ for YOU

TIP 94

DRUG ABUSE (3)

“Addiction begins with the hope that something “out there” can instantly fill up the emptiness inside”.

Jean Kilbourne

Good day to you my dear and precious young friends. Sure you are doing great today and you had a great night.

I must confess to you that I sometimes struggle to meet with you here. The two major reasons why meeting you here is often top on my agenda are: the first is that I owe you a duty to share with you, having been divinely mandated; secondly, I believe the discussion on your Personal Safety and Self-Protection must make it to the Promised Land  we set when we began this discussion from day one.

Today I will continue with the reasons why I believe young people get into drug abuse.  III. Company: another reason why young people abuse drugs is company. ‘He that walks with the wise shall be wise but a companion of fools shall be destroyed,’ says the Holy Writ. If you walk with those who use drug, you can only stand out for a while. Majority will soon carry the vote of dominant behavior. If you have identified what you consider to be a good behavior, please do not join yourself with those who have contrary behavior. The lures, a lot of time is that you may sincerely believe that you can change them. But that often turns out to be a set up. Your company makes you. Therefore you must watch your company.

IV. Media power: the manufacturers of products like cigarette fight for a space in the mind of young people. They know that many young people suffer from what I call, ‘Reality Deficiency Syndrome.’ It simply means that many young people are not at home with the consequences of their actions. They also know that young people like adventure and easily bow to peer pressure. They work on your mind and pressure you use their products. These days, they do not do it directly since government seems to have succeeded in stopping direct tobacco advert. Today, they advertise tobacco subtly. They get your role models to smoke cigarette. You see them smoking in the home and music video you watch. Since, you admire their talents and successes and you desire same; very soon you begin to follow their habit automatically. Somewhere at the back of your mind, you believe that their lifestyles produce successes you admire and desire and if you must enjoy same you must copy their lifestyles. This is called ‘Subliminal Advertising.’

V. Reaction to Abuses: it has been found that abuse leads to anger and depression in young people. When young people are angry, they become defiant, when they become defiant one of the things they take to is drug addiction. They want to show that they are ready for the worst and get back at the abusers and the society, which is not able to stop the abuse. When young people become depressed, they become very low emotionally. At that point, they begin to look for something to make them forget their sorrow. In most cases they take to drugs for comfort. The truth must be told that drug offers false comfort and hope. Drug is never an answer to depression. In fact it deepens it and the drug abuser becomes frustrated. When he/she couldn’t find anything higher, he/she sometimes decide for suicide.

Permit me dear young friend to sign out at this point. I think our space is up. I will be with you tomorrow to continue this chat.  Do have your wonderful selves an INSPIRED day.

The THINK Factor

I urge you to not only read but imbibe and practise the nuggets I share with you here that it may be well with all the days of your life. If you agree with me please open your S.A.F.E™ Journal and make your commitment in writing that you will not only practice what you are reading here but will also teach others within your network.