Teen FAQ
For over 10 years, teens have been asking us questions on every topic imaginable. While we are no longer taking new questions, we have a wealth of information we would like to share with teenagers.
Questions about suicide? Call the NATIONAL SUICIDE HOTLINE 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433).
Navigate: FAQ Home Page > Drugs & Addiction > Why not take drugs
Question
Answer
- Your body is still developing and many drugs impact growth and development
- Drugs change your attitude and feelings: they reduce your ability to focus on other things in life, develop interests and feel positive about yourself
- Using drugs reduces your ability to recognize dangerous situations and makes you vulnerable to being taken advantage of
- Using drugs can lead to accidents
- Using drugs can lead to doing other things because "everyone else is doing something"
- Drugs can be dangerous
All of your decision boils down to one thing - are you going to protect yourself and your future? Are you going to make a decision that is best for you, or do what other people do? Being 13 is tough, but you have many years ahead of you, and this may be a perfect opportunity to find other friends.
Being popular now may be associated with doing drugs, trying adult things and being risky, but as you get older, being popular will have more to do with being nice to people, being the kind of person who is true to themselves, having things you care about, and being a person who can be trusted.