D.A.R.E

Did you know that there are there are 75,000 alcohol related deaths each year in the United States? There are more than 200 known harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke. Smoking also causes lung cancer and heart disease. Most smokers have more colds and upper respiratory problems. Through the D.A.R.E. program, I learned these facts and many more. The D.A.R.E. program taught me about the negative effects of alcohol, tobacco, and five ways to say no.

The overuse of alcohol is harmful to the body. Teen bodies are still growing; therefore, alcohol affects them more severely than adults. Alcohol slows down the body and brain causing loss of coordination,  poor judgement, memory loss, and loss of self-control. Mixing Alcohol with medicine is VERY DANGEROUS and may relate to serious injuries or even death.

Tobacco is not good for your health. More Than 400,000 Americans die from tobacco related causes each year. Almost 50,000 deaths per year can be attributed to secondhand smoke. Nicotine in cigarettes and chewing tobacco reduces the amount of blood that flows to the brain; this interferes with the way the brain works

There are five ways to say no instead of using harmful substances. Let’s say that your friend asks you, “Wanna beer Bro!” You could say, “Haha, no thanks. My parents would kill me, Bro!” THEN RUN HOME!!! If someone says asks you to smoke a cigarette, you could just walk away, or you could even change the subject completely. Also, try to be friends with non-users and avoid places that people often use drugs.

In conclusion, drugs are very bad! Alcohol can result in very serious injury if not used properly. Tobacco can be the cause of serious medical issues. To stop all of those from happening, you could use the five resistance strategies.

I promise I will never use drugs. Even if others try to get me to use these things, I will not fall to peer pressure. I thank Officer Vincill for teaching me about the effects of alcohol, tobacco, and how to say no.