Choosing To Be Substance Free Staying healthy right now- looking good and feeling good- means saying NO! to tobacco, alcohol, and drugs. Reaching all your goals in the future also depends on staying substance free. Only you can keep your body free of harmful substances. It might help you to know that there are millions of young people across the country who face the same challenges as you- but choose to remain substance free. If they can do it, you can do it too!

Reasons Not To Use Tobacco Tobacco is highly addictive Smoking stains the teeth & fingers, and makes your breath, hair, and clothes smell. Using tobacco may lead to serious health problems. Smoking kills almost half a million people a year in the U.S. Smoking makes you less fit for sports and other activities Using tobacco is an expensive habit

Saying NO! To Tobacco “I’m on the track team, and smoking would slow mw down.” “Not me! Even the smell makes me sick!” “My grandfather died of lung cancer. I’m not going that route.” “I don’t want to smoke- it really bothers other people.” “I have better things to do with my money than waste it on cigarettes.”

Reasons Not To Use Alcohol Alcohol can be addictive Drinkers have problems controlling their bodies and emotions Drinking often makes people feel sick to their stomachs Drinking can lead to violence because it can lead to a short temper Drinking does not solve problems- it only creates them

Saying NO! To Alcohol “I don’t need to drink to have a good time.” “No thanks, I need to keep all my brain cells working.” “Are you kidding? My parents would ground me forever!” “No way! I’d get thrown off the baseball team.” “Alcohol is just plain nasty tasting!”

Reasons Not To Use Illegal Drugs Many abused drugs are addictive Abused drugs can cause permanent damage to a person’s physical and/or mental health, or lead to death Many drugs are produced in illegal laboratories by untrained people. Often chemicals are added to drugs- and the effects of these chemicals when added to the drugs can cause a fire or explosion.

Saying NO! To Illegal Drugs “I’m not going to risk dying… for what?” “I’ve got plans for my life, and I don’t want to mess them up. “Please get that stuff away from me- you can get arrested just for holding that stuff!” “My parents would be totally disappointed in me.” “I get high on life- I don’t need drugs!”

The Law Is On Your Side Most states have laws that permit the sale of tobacco only to kids 18 and over Many states have banned indoor smoking All states have set 21 as the minimum age for the purchase of alcohol In most states, a driver with a BAL of.10 or higher will be arrested. At least 14 states have lowered it to.08. The penalties for possessing or selling illegal drugs can be stiff.

Healthy Alternatives Practice something you like- whether it be skateboarding, cheerleading, playing the guitar, or something else. Be a volunteer. There are all sorts of community service opportunities available to those who seek them out. Start your own business. Let people know that you’re available for yard work, babysitting, and other odd jobs.