ESCAPING THE REALITIES OF LIFE

What kind of person is most likely to use drugs and for what reasons? A common characteristic of all young drug and alcohol users is the lack of both spontaneous daydreaming and a satisfying fantasy life. This may sound ridiculous, but very true. Users are restless and impulsive. They seek outside stimulation and lifestyles, and drugs offer change. Hard drug users, as well as those who use depressants and stimulants, seek an escape from normal reality. They are less likely than soft-drug users to have rich daydreams or to use their fantasies to solve problems. They are mostly victims of harsh realities of their daily lives.

By contrast, nonusers appear to be more orderly, more conformist, and more interested in achievements and in the future. Their daydreams reflect these characteristics.

"A painful reminder that drugs

are not always the answer!"

LIFE SAY, "NO TO DRUGS"

I lost a brother due to drugs. This wonderful, good-looking young man, with a signature bedimpled smile became a monster. He was 14 when he turned to alcohol and drugs. We did everything we could to unhook him of these horrible things. His behavior and moods changed, he was always out of control. We saw first hand what he turned into and the devastation that he brought onto the entire family. Until one day he realized the danger of drug use and told us that he was willing to undergo rehabilitation at DARE Rehab Center ran by Fr. Bob Garon. DARE did so many marvelous things to help him. Wonder of all wonders, he learned many skills in the rehab center. He stayed clean and sober for years, until one day he crossed paths with his old buddies again .... and that was it.

You could simply imagine how we hated his buddies that would give him drugs, and then we realized they were not forcing him, the problem was with him. He could not stand up for what he knew was right and say, "no I am not going to be a user anymore."

There are many individual and group problems related to the process of growing up. One of these problems is the misuse and abuse of drugs. Young adolescents may acquire various information about mind-altering drugs through mass media. The peer group, too, could be a major source of distorted information about drugs. It is a common knowledge that economic, social and psychological factors contribute to the increasing incidence of drug dependence.

Abused drugs generally have one thing in common: they cause changes in a person's mood or behavior. They can affect a person's perceptions, moods, behavior and skills. Some people abuse drugs because they think they can gain acceptance from their peers. Others abuse drugs in an attempt to have more friends and feel they belong to the group. Peer pressure also lead to drug abuse.