Author's Note: This article deals with mature subject matter such as drugs. While I only wish to inform you of the harmful effects things like this can produce on anyone, please check with a parent or guardian before and after reading this article if you are under the age of 13.
"The road to success is dotted with many tempting parking spaces." - Will Rogers
For some, these parking spaces may not be very tempting, but for much of the teenage population, there are major drawbacks that can influence your future.
One is smoking. Even if not told by a parent or guardian personally, every juvenile will have heard about how horrible smoking is from somewhere. Even so, approximately 30-35% of the entire world's population smoke cigarettes on a regular basis. I can say that over 90% of those people were told the effects of smoking, some possibly even got taught about it in-depth . . . yet look where they are today!
Apparently, some children are not taught about the in-depth complications with smoking, but I believe they should be. It is for this reason that I sit here at my laptop typing up this dandy little article for the Whyville Times.
If there's one thing everyone makes a big deal about today, it's cancer. If people are so concerned, why do they continue to smoke? Why are some people such hypocrites that they are ready to fight Cancer, but they smoke? Smoking is the cause of about 87% of lung cancer cases, and overall contributes to about 30% of all cancer deaths, not just lung cancer!
440,000 American deaths a year are linked to diseases caused by smoking, which makes it responsible for about 1 out of 5 U.S. deaths.
If you're pregnant and smoke, you put your baby at serious risk. You have a higher risk of a pre-term baby, and 10% of infant deaths are all because of smoking.
Besides smoking, another parking spot in life that you do NOT want to get stuck in is the one labeled "Misuse of Drugs". It is known that (for the most part) once people park there, even if only intending only to stay for a little while, they end up not being able to get out without a tow-truck's help (a.k.a., rehab).
I don't want any of you to confuse medicine with illegal drugs. When used incorrectly, legal medicines can pose a threat to your health, but if taken only when needed and/or prescribed by a doctor, you are in no way breaking the law. Before I go into a few specific drugs and the horrid effects they have on your body, please allow me to point out that marijuana is allowed in some states to be prescribed to ADULTS ONLY (for very certain illnesses).
While these drugs (marijuana (in most cases), crack, crystal meth, etc.) are not good for anyone, they are especially bad to a child whose body is still growing. Drugs such as the ones mentioned can damage the heart, brain, and other important parts of your body.
Cocaine and Crack can:
* Make you an addict after you try it JUST ONCE!
* Make your heart beat faster and your blood temperature go up (along with your body temperature).
* After only one usage, cocaine and crack could make you have a stroke or other heart related problem and kill you.
If you suspect someone is under the influence of cocaine or crack, check to see if they are nervous, jumpy, and depressed, as these are all signs of a crack/cocaine addiction.
Marijuana can:
* Make it hard to concentrate.
* Make it hard to keep time.
* Raise your blood pressure and heart rate.
* Cause horrid hallucinations.
People who use marijuana are prone to wheezing, respiratory problems, and frequent colds. If you suspect someone is under the influence of marijuana, check to see if they are paranoid, very sleepy, extremely hungry, or have red eyes, as these are all signs of a marijuana problem.
As I mentioned before, some people manage to pull out of these parking lots, but very few do. If someone you know smokes cigarettes, be sure the first thing you do is see if their parents know. While no one likes a tattle-tale, you could be saving someone's life in the long run. If their parents know and are okay with it, there's not much you can do. Try gentle reasoning with the person, and become more forceful with your points as the conversation progresses. Just try your hardest, it's all you can do.
If you suspect someone is under the influence of drugs, tell an adult you know and trust. You can tell your parents, a teacher, a counselor, or anyone. An older person can help your friend find help, as professional help is oftentimes necessary.
I hope after all this, the point is set in stone in your head, because if it's not, you very well may end up dying in some sort of horrible manner (no joke).
So remember, don't smoke, and don't do drugs.
Just keep driving on the highway of life, and only stop in parking spots you KNOW are safe and easy to get out of if necessary.
x3Tacos
Author's Note: Sources:
http://www.lungusa.org/site/c.dvLUK9O0E/b.44465/k.1FA3/Smoking_and_Lung_Disease_in_Minority_Groups.htm
http://kidshealth.org/kid/grow/drugs_alcohol/know_drugs.html
