YOUR FIRST DRUG WILL RUIN YOU

I am writing this letter for young people who want to experiment with drugs
like heroin, ecstasy, amphetamines and other illicit drugs which cause a
temporary high, or drugs like marijuana, which give a feeling of bliss,
which is also temporary.

After a few doses of these drugs, you will suffer lows followed by the need
for another dose of the drug, and another and another, until there is a
constant feeling of tiredness, depression and feeling generally out of sorts.

Some drugs cause instant addiction with just one dose. All of these drugs
have one thing in common -- they are all addictive. Before you know it, you
are hooked and your world is gradually falling apart. Your health and
well-being are the first to suffer, not to mention your job or future career.

Drugs which speed you up mentally and physically deprive you of essential
sleep and the ability to relax -- both of which can affect your nervous
system so badly that the more drugs you take, the more you will feel
jittery, dull and tired all the time: All street drugs will finally cause this.

All these symptoms will worsen as you continue to take drugs and you become
addicted to them. All street drugs are addictive. The feeling of
lifelessness and lethargy caused by street drugs can lead to depression.
Are a few short-lived "highs" worth it? Are you tempted to turn to drugs
because you are homeless, abused or hurting in some way or under stress?

There are a lot of people out there willing to listen and help if you find
you cannot go to your parents with any need or problem. A drug dealer is
the wrong person to go to when things arc wrong with your life. Turning to
crime to get the money to pay for the drug is a downward spiral. It leads
to more trouble and heartache.

Leave drugs alone because they cause loss of health and well-being and more
misery.

Eunice C. Cramer, Perth.