The simple truth is that the
factors that push people to try drugs and alcohol are understandable. And people aren't
bad or wrong to try to
find ways to cope with personal problems.
It's just that drugs and alcohol
don't work
that well at solving personal
problems so that they stay solved.
There's nothing
wrong with wanting to relax
if you're tense or wanting to lose a couple of pounds if you're a little
overweight. There's nothing
bad about wanting to be popular
or wanting people to like
you. In fact, those are okay reasons for doing most things.
But people whose lives get bent out of shape by chemicals often
seem to overlook one big fact:
There are better ways to achieve those goals or handle
those issues so they stay handled.
People who have trouble relaxing can take up running
or skating or meditation
or playing the mandolin. They can read
(or write) a book or make
a list of the coolest/funniest/wisest things
that anybody ever said or learn to bake banana bread or a million other things. And any one of those
things will help them handle stress better
than drugs can.
People who just want to hang with friends can do lots of cool stuff without chemicals. They can create wacky personal web sites
or shoot
hoops or start a rap group or try to figure out ways to make the
world even a slightly
better place to live.
But they don't have to drink or do drugs.
One reason a lot of kids get
into getting
high is that it's a group activity and it's fun
to do things with your friends. Passing a joint
or passing a football, activities are usually more fun when
they're shared.
Problems can start when kids
confuse the fun of being
together with the feeling of being high.
They think the drug caused the feeling, but the feeling
was there in the first place. The drug--pot or acid or speed
or whatever--was just along for the ride.
Eventually, the drug experience
overwhelms the group experience, anyway. Then
what started out as a group of friends turns into a collection of stoned, isolated people, who are basically alone together.
Don't make the same mistake--and don't let your friends
make it, either.
Because when it comes to the
serious
fun of being alive and
making cool
things happen in the
real world, we're the
originals. Chemicals are
copies.
We're magic.
But drugs and alcohol can even
make magic disappear.
.
