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“Say no to drugs”. This simple phrase is seen and heard everywhere from bumper stickers and billboards to songs and commercials. However, saying no isn’t that easy when you’re a teenager growing up in today’s society. Factors such as peer pressure, problems at home, and easy access to various drugs encourage teens to experiment and eventually become hooked on dangerous narcotics. In my opinion, the home life of a teenager has a lot to do with whether or not he will get involved in drugs. Most parents would agree with the statement that children should not do drugs. But when it comes to talking to their teens about the dangers of drug use, many neglect to approach the subject. "A don't ask, don't tell" policy is often put into place, either intentionally or from not knowing how to approach teens in a straightforward and effective manner about this contentious issue. Experts in drug abuse claim that parents are the principal influence on their teenager's attitudes towards drug use. Educating teens about drugs and the problems that accompany drug abuse will help them to develop a healthy stance on drugs and will provide them with the knowledge to make good decisions in the future. (Internet, www.teen-drug-abuse.org) Many people describe marijuana as the “gateway drug”. It’s a very common drug in many parts of the world, not just the United States. While a selected few are using marijuana for medical reasons, the majority of the “potheads” are smoking it to achieve that so-called “harmless high”. Marijuana is a green, brown, or gray mixture of dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers of the hemp plant. You may hear marijuana called by street names such as pot, herb, weed, grass, boom, Mary Jane, gangster, or chronic.
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