To the Editor:
Social workers are still trying to understand why teenagers and young adults are addicted to drugs and alcohol. Here in Yorkton we have a major drug and alcohol problem.
Maybe the younger generation thinks the only way to be cool, to be accepted by their peers, is to go to a party do a lot of drinking, smoking and using chemical substances. Then everyone will like them. They will always be entertained and have fun.
But what people who use drugs fail to recognize, is that when they become drug addicts and alcoholics, life isn't fun anymore. Soon addictions will erode your resources, wear out your relationships and destroy your self-esteem. Addictions will also make you aware of what predicament you find yourself in. You'll abuse more alcohol and drugs because you are unable to escape the fallen world you find yourself in.
Soon your standard of living is destroyed. You may become a criminal, you may injure yourself, your mental health, and you may wind up dead. People get kicked out of their homes, schools, fired from jobs and then they may find themselves living on the streets.
What young people need to realize is they can live a successful life without doing drugs and drinking. Once they graduate from school they can go to college without doing drugs and drinking. When they get good jobs they can buy their own homes, own a car and travel. They can marry a good spouse and raise healthy children. They can find satisfaction; enjoyment and a good life if they just were themselves and friends with people who would like them for the right reasons. But in order to live this good life they have to say no to drugs and drink alcohol responsibly. If they don't they will wear out their lives and miss out on living a positive one.
Stacie Amber McLeod, Yorkton, SK.
