By Steve Perez

Published April 23, 2010

A Vista man who befriended a fellow marijuana user reported being robbed by his new acquaintance in Vista on Thursday, San Diego County sheriff’s investigators said.

Kids know a lot more about drugs than most adults realize. Some of their information is accurate, but a lot isn’t. Young children need to know the difference between legal drugs used for medical purposes and those that someone hands you to try to feel different. They need to learn about making good choices that help them stay healthy and safe. They also need accurate information about illegal drugs (including alcohol and tobacco, which are illegal for kids!)

The following websites are designed to be informative and interactive to teach kids about the REAL consequences of using illegal substances. Explore them and share them with your children.

What do YOU know about drugs?!!? Think everyone’s doing it? Think doing drugs is no big deal and drugs make you cool? Think again!!! If you REALLY want to know about drugs and what they REALLY do to you, take a look at a few of the websites below. Maybe you’ll discover something you didn’t know and might want to think about next time you think it’s no big deal for you or your friends to use a drug that makes you feel cool!

AboveTheInfluence.com
Encouraging empowered decision making among young people.
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NaturalHigh.org
The Sundt Memorial foundation offers resources to inspire youth to choose a natural

high and reject drugs.
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Health Resources for Teenage Girls
Education for teenage girls on becoming a healthy, safe, and vibrant woman.
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NIDA for Teens
An interactive game with a drug free message.
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National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information
Alcohol, tobacco and other drug prevention materials.
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The California Attorney General’s Website
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Just Think Twice
Straightforward information on drug use, providing real life examples of how drug use

can impact lives.
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DRUGSTORY.org
Offers links to websites that offer information on drugs and drug related issues.
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Higher Education Center
Offers information on alcohol, drug abuse, and prevention strategies.
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National Institute on Drug Abuse: Students and Young Adults
Information on the science of drug abuse and addiction.
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The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP)
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Join Together
Media updates on advancing effective alcohol and drug policy, prevention, and treatment.
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Young adults have many choices to make as they move from high school into the workforce or on to college. There is no one standing over your shoulder to tell you what to do or not do. You are now responsible for your own decisions and their consequences! Using illegal drugs such as marijuana, ecstasy, or crystal meth may seem okay to try just once just to see what it’s like, or because your new friend urges you to try it! But, do you REALLY know what you’re putting into your body and what it can do to you? Ecstasy can kill brain cells permanently. Everybody is different and reacts to these drugs in different ways. Is it worth the risk of changing your life to experience that one high?

Alcohol is readily available and seems to be a part of college life, especially if you’re new. However, the consequences of alcohol and other drug use in young adults can be life changing, not only for you, but your friends. Binge drinking may sound like fun… until you realize that it can cost you hours of forgetting where you are and what you did. One night of heavy drinking can affect your abstract thought processes for up to 30 days. More frighteningly, 90% of all campus rapes occur when the victim or assailant has consumed alcohol and/or drugs.

Take a moment to learn more about the drugs you think are no big deal. The links below will lead you to the facts about alcohol and drug abuse, and how you can lead a productive and fun college life.

The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP)
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Join Together
Media updates on advancing effective alcohol and drug policy,

prevention, and treatment.
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Higher Education Center
An organization providing nationwide support for campus alcohol and illicit drug

prevention efforts.
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College Drinking: Changing the Culture
Alcohol facts and myths.
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The BACCHUS Network
An international association of college and university based peer education programs

focusing on alcohol abuse prevention and other related student health and safety

issues.
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DRUGSTORY.org
Offers links to websites that offer information on drugs and drug related issues.
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National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information
Alcohol, tobacco and other drug prevention materials.
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AboveTheInfluence.com
Encouraging empowered decision making among young people.
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NaturalHigh.org
The Sundt Memorial foundation offers resources to inspire youth to choose a natural

high and reject drugs.
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The Anti-Drug
Excellent source for drug prevention publications, information, and other tools.
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The California Attorney General’s Website
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National Institute on Drug Abuse: Students and Young Adults
Information on the science of drug abuse and addiction.
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As a parent or caregiver, you play a vital role in influencing your child’s attitudes and behaviors. You serve as a role model on the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs (ATOD), control the availability of ATOD in your home, and help set your child’s expectations concerning illicit behaviors. A recent study shows that children whose parents are involved in their lives (hold regular conversations, attend after-school events, and listen to their problems) are less likely to use/abuse drugs.

Through the following links you will find information, questions to ask yourself about your child and community, prevention strategies parents can take, and resources for effective parenting:

Teachers, you are in a special position to play a major role in drug prevention. School-age kids spend much of their day in the classroom, and teachers are often considered role models to children. Next to parental influence, the influence teachers can have on their students will help shape who the children will become later in life.

Parents and teachers can form a strong drug-prevention team; parents educating their children at home about the dangers of drugs, and teachers reinforcing that education through classroom activities. This web site has links to drug prevention and education resources, including lesson plans and activities for the classroom. These resources can help you, the teacher, educate your students on the dangers of drugs.