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Party On (Responsibly)! |
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If You Decide to Try Drugs...
Be careful! Along with being illegal, drugs are unreliable. There are no guarantees that what you are being told you are
taking is really what is going in to your body. If you are lucky, a lying dealer will be underselling you, meaning you won't
really be getting any drugs. If you are unlucky, a dealer may be selling you something that is mixed with poisons or that can
cause unusual adverse reactions. There are no standards for illegal drugs, there are no required lables, and there is no
recourse if you don't get what you bargained for. There is a saying, "There is no honor among thieves!" and it is safe to say
the same of drug dealers. Even if you get your drugs from a friend, remember that when it comes to getting you drugs any
friend is a dealer first and a bud second. Lots of teens try drugs without any major repercussions, but many people who try
drugs do have serious regrets. Regrets can range from bad behavior to full fledged addiction. Know that in trying drugs you
are taking a risk. Even if you have tried a drug before, it is possible that a second time with the same drug will have
different results. "Trips" (as drug experiences are called) vary from person to person, drug to drug and moment to moment. No
two trips are the same, and not all trips are good. These tips can help you stay safer but they won't guarantee that your
drug experience will be "good" or "worth it".
- Do not drive, no excuses.
- Avoid sex or situations that may lead to sex.
- Carry "slush money" and only use it for getting a taxi home if you need to. If you doubt your ability to hang on to your cash, consider handing this money over to the care of your "safety person" (see previous page).
- Understand that you may not have the same "trip" as your buddy even if you take the same drug. Just because a friend seems to be having a blast on a drug doesn't mean that you will have the same experience.
- In your wallet next to your ID carry a note with essential emergency medical information like; your medical insurance number, any allergies you suffer from, any medical conditions you have, your parents names and phone number(s), your full name and age, and the names and phone numbers of the people you went to the party with. Make sure that somebody who is sober knows that you have this note in your wallet. Clearly label the note "medical information".
- Make sure that somebody reliable (and preferably sober) knows what drug you think you have taken and who you got it from. Consider adding this information to your "medical information" note.
- Give your friends advance permission to "tell all" about what you have ingested in the event that you pass out or need medical attention. Too often teens are afraid to get their friends in trouble and as a result do not fully disclose information that could save their life. Avoid this by telling your friends that it is OK to tell what drugs you have tried if it looks like you need help or if a medical professional or police officer is asking.
- Don't accept drugs from strangers or from people you do not know very well.
- Don't mix drugs or mix drugs with alcohol. It is too hard to predict the effects of this practice.
- If you have an open relationship with your parents, consider letting them know that you plan to try drugs and what drug you plan to try (if you know). If you aren't able to talk to them about things like this, consider telling an older sibling or other older relative.
- Set a code question up with friends in advance that you will each use to make sure the others are OK. Use it when you think that a friend may be in a situation that they don't want to be in. Make sure the question is not one that you are likely to use but that won't seem out of place to others. Something like, "Are you in the mood for some chocolate?", with "yes" meaning "Yes get me out of here!", and "no" meaning "No, everything is fine.".
- If you are feeling depressed opt not to try drugs at this time. There is nothing wrong with staying sober, even if most of your friends aren't.
- Know that not as many teens do drugs as you think. Drug using teens are a minority and it is not uncommon for a person to say they have tried drugs when in fact they have not. If you decide to try drugs make sure it is for your own reasons and not because of what others claim to be doing.
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