Luis Angel
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"A Smile On Your Face, Increases Your Face Value."
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Post by Luis Angel on Jul 13, 2008 20:13:46 GMT -5
"Did they have to die?"
That was the question raised on the cover of the Brazilian magazine Veja. Along with those words were photos of pleasant, normal-looking youths who had died—victims of drug abuse.
DESPITE well-known risks, people continue to abuse drugs, and such abuse continues to destroy lives. Drug abuse costs the United States an estimated 100 billion dollars a year in health care, reduced job productivity, lost earnings, and crime. But perhaps it is young ones—children—who pay the highest price. According to a Brazilian study reported on in Jornal da Tarde, 24.7 percent of youths between 10 and 17 years of age have already tried some kind of drug.
While teenage drug use in the United States may have declined somewhat in recent years, alarming numbers of young ones there are addicted. Consider seniors in high school. According to one study, 37 percent had at least tried marijuana in the previous year. One out of 5 had used it in the past month. Almost 1 out of 10 had tried the drug ecstasy in the past year. Over 6 percent had tried LSD.
"Drugs are tearing apart our societies, spawning crime, spreading diseases such as AIDS, and killing our youth and our future."—KOFI ANNAN, UN SECRETARY-GENERAL
Reports from all over the world are grim. The British Office for National Statistics reports that "12 per cent of pupils aged 11-15 had used drugs in the last year . . . Cannabis [marijuana] was by far the most likely drug to have been used." Particularly alarming was the fact that "more than one third (35 per cent) had been offered one or more drugs."
A report sponsored by the European Union likewise reveals that among young people, "drinking to inebriation has become increasingly common." The report also says that such "alcohol abuse is associated with various short term adverse effects such as accidents, violence and poisoning, as well as with developmental and social problems." From Japan comes a report that "the drugs most often used by teenagers in Japan are organic solvents, which can lead to other drug use."
Little wonder, then, that UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said: "Drugs are tearing apart our societies, spawning crime, spreading diseases such as AIDS, and killing our youth and our future." Often, people involved with drugs are responsible for crimes such as drug trafficking and drug-related homicides. In addition, because of abusing drugs, many people become victims of violence, are injured, or engage in risky, unplanned sex. And if you think that your family is immune, think again! One U.S. government report said: "Drugs are not a problem solely of the poor, minorities, or inner-city residents. . . . Drug users come from all walks of life and from all parts of the country. The drug problem affects everyone."
Yet, parents often do not sense the danger until it is too late. Consider the case of one young Brazilian girl. "She was drinking alcoholic beverages," explains her sister Regina.* "The family thought it was cute. But this led to her experimenting with drugs with her boyfriends. Since my parents always treated her as if the problems she caused were of no consequence, her condition got out of control. Several times she disappeared. And every time a young woman was found dead, the police called my father to see if she was the one! This caused my family great distress."
The World Health Organization presents five basic reasons why young ones might be drawn to drugs:
(1) They want to feel grown-up and make their own decisions
(2) They want to fit in
(3) They want to relax and feel good
(4) They want to take risks and rebel
(5) They want to satisfy their curiosity
Drug availability and peer pressure also increase the likelihood that a youth will begin this self-destructive course. "My parents never said anything about drugs. In school the teachers mentioned the problem but without going into detail," explains Luiz Antonio, a Brazilian youth. Spurred on by schoolmates, he began abusing drugs when he was 14 years old. Later, when he tried to quit, his drug-supplying "friends" pressured him at knifepoint to continue his habit!
Have you faced up to the fact that your own children could be in danger? What have you done to protect them from drug abuse? The following article will discuss some ways in which parents can protect their children.
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Luis Angel
New Member
"A Smile On Your Face, Increases Your Face Value."
Posts: 19
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Post by Luis Angel on Jul 13, 2008 20:18:15 GMT -5
How to Protect Your Children "Parents are by far the most important factor in protecting children from substance abuse. They must be a source of example and information for their children."—DONNA SHALALA, SECRETARY OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.
AS A PARENT, you are thus the first line of defense in the war against drug abuse. Unfortunately, not all parents may grasp how important that role is. "My father was always busy," recalls Ireneu, a Brazilian youth. "He had only short conversations with us. We never received any counsel about drugs."
By way of contrast, consider what Alecxandros, another Brazilian youth, recalls: "When there were TV programs about drug addicts, my father called my brothers and me into the room to watch them. He showed us the terrible condition the addicts were in because of their drug abuse. Sometimes he would take advantage of the occasion to ask us whether we had seen other youths in school who were involved with drugs. That way he warned us about the risks of drug abuse."
"My father warned us about the risks" —Alecxandros Have you discussed the risks of drugs with your children? To do so, you may need to educate yourself in this regard. Christian parents can help their children to appreciate that using illicit drugs damages them spiritually. The Bible urges us to keep our body clean of all pollution, both physical and spiritual. (2 Corinthians 7:1) A regular study of the Bible with one's children can be a powerful tool for protecting them.*
"Confidential Friend" It is also important that you establish a relationship of trust with your children. Jehovah is a "confidential friend" to his earthly children. (Jeremiah 3:4) Are you a confidential friend to your child? Do you really listen to your child? Does your child feel comfortable in bringing problems to you? Are you quicker to condemn than to praise? Take the time to get to know your child. Does he or she have friends? Who are they? After all, the Bible warns: "Bad associations spoil useful habits." (1 Corinthians 15:33) Do not be afraid to set firm boundaries or to render loving discipline. The Bible says: "Chastise your son and he will bring you rest and give much pleasure to your soul."—Proverbs 29:17.
Be aware of your child's associates Furthermore, do not minimize the dangers facing your child. Some parents may complacently reason that because their children come from a well-respected family, they are simply not the type to get involved with drugs. But explains Dr. José Henrique Silveira: "The drug dealer likes to make friends with kids of influential people because it is good business for him." Yes, if a well-respected youth can be lured into drug use, other young ones may often follow.
So be realistic. Get to know some of the early signs of involvement with drugs. For example, has your child suddenly become withdrawn, depressed, hostile, or uncooperative? Has he or she inexplicably withdrawn from old friends or from family members? Then you may have cause for concern.
Sad to say, in spite of commendable efforts on the part of parents, some young ones still succumb to pressure and experiment with drugs. What should you do if this proves true of your child?
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Post by Luie Hndez on Mar 8, 2010 9:43:10 GMT -5
[glow=red,2,300][/glow]We can only pray to Jehovah God for guidance, not only for us to deal with our child’s choices in life, but also for our children to come to a clear understanding of the Truth. What Truth you may ask? Well, I have to say the Truth of our daily life expectancy, how so many things appeared so delightful, and the end maybe disastrous. It is hard for our youth who come from poverty, to understand what it means to make positive choices in their life. Most of these young people follow the path of an adult, who they believe is making the right choice, whether is a family member or a friend they take for granted that this individual knows what he/she is doing, since they are the adults. Such people claim that life is just about surviving, making it on your own no matter at what cost, even if it means taking someone’s life. These are the youth that we need to reach and hope to guide them through the narrow road that leads to everlasting life. And as I said earlier it can only happen if we pray for them and council them.
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