Long live a drug-free life!

For many, many good reasons, it is best to avoid drugs and alcohol, as much as possible.

There are so many health and behavioural problems that arise from substance abuse.

In Australia, we are expecting an epidemic of early-onset dementia, just from today's large amount of drug and alcohol use, including prescription medications.

Where people were losing their faculties at the ages of 60, 70 and 80, those ages will become 40, 50 and 60.

Schizophrenia is also on the rise.

This is frequently linked to the abuse of drugs and alcohol.

There is a specific brain tumour which is only found in the brains of cannabis smokers.

Brain shrinkage is also commonly seen in those with a high alcohol use.

The behavioural changes that go along with drug and alcohol use are: Domestic violence, assaults (including rapes), crime, unemployment, poor hygiene, not looking after health problems (and therfore causing more ill-health), risk taking (often causing falls, accidents) and an inability to use machines well (work accidents, car crashes).

Long-term drug and alcohol users can become homeless and sometimes end up in prison.

One behaviour that goes along with drug and alcohol use is kleptomania.

It is interesting to note that long-term drug and alcohol users cannot help but steal items.

Be very aware that no drug is "harmless", "OK" or "safe".

Work very hard to keep up your good health.

You deserve to live a long and prosperous life.

Juanita Hutchesson Umina