(The following facts are pretty scary; they stop and make you think.)

1. Most people begin using drugs and/or alcohol and tobacco because of peer pressure
and/or to avoid things that are bothering them in their lives. Suicide: 1,439 teens will attempt
suicide in the next twenty-four hours, largely affected by some kind of substance
abuse. Murder: A youth is murdered every two hours.

2. However, the truth is that drugs, alcohol and tobacco drastically
deteriorate lives, relationships and health. At least 40% of teen girls know someone
in an abusive relationship; violence is heightened by drug abuse. At least 2,795
teen girls will become pregnant in the next 24 hours. Sexual abuse: over 80,000 incidenses annually.

3. Initially these addictions feel fun, help you fit in and seem harmless. In the next 24 hours,
15,006 teens will become first-time drug users. A youth is arrested for a drug-related crime every 7 minutes.

4. Alcohol represents the number one drug problem among youth. A youth is arrested every
4 minutes for an alcohol-related offense.

5. By their senior year in high school, approximately 95% of students will have tried alcoholic drinks.

6. 35% of all wine coolers sold in the US are consumed by junior high and high school students.

7. They also drink approx. 1.1 billion bottles and cans of beer annually.

8. Alcohol-related traffic accidents are the #1 cause of death among youth 15-24 years of age.

9. Over 170,000 people die each year from smoking-related heart disease.

10. 30% of cancer deaths are linked to smoking.

11. The nicotine in tobacco is highly addictive. Less than 20% of typical
smokers succeed in stopping the first time they try.

12. Marijuana, alcohol and tobacco are gateway drugs -- the first drugs most
youth try before being introduced to the hard drugs.

13. Use of inhalants--solvents and aerosol sprays--can cause nausea,
fatigue, loss of appitite and coordination and disorientation, and greatly impaired judgement.

14. Long term use of inhalents can permantely damage the nervous system and cause death.

15. Cocaine is extremly addictive and its effects are felt within 10 seconds.

16. Any form of Cocaine can cause sudden death from cardiac/respiratory failure. It can happen to anyone.

17. Depressants, hallucinogens and designer drugs can cause uncontrolled tremors, drooling, paralysis
and irreversable brain damage, along with a variety of other symptoms that irritate the system and cause
unusual behavior in users.

18. Recent studies about Marijuana smoke are finding that the damage done to the lungs is more
sever than that of tobacco smoke.

(The facts above were obtained from: Drug Enforcement Agency; Facts for Families; Teen Help; Crime Time by Safe Place)

Think about this: 

Have you ever talked seriously with your parents about drugs? Surveys show that most kids
haven't, so don't feel bad. But, you know what? It's important that you do talk with them. It's well
known that no one cares for their kids more than parents. But, if you find that you cannot talk to
them, a trusted school advisor, someone from your church or other trusted adult will be
available to talk with you.

Remember, don't go to an advisors home or office alone,
always take a friend with you to sit outside the door.

It's a fact, that kids who establish a good relationship with trusted adults (hopefully their parents)
receive help and have higher self-esteme, more friends, higher achievement in school, more
social skills, and fewer problems with addictions and teenage sexual activity.

There are a couple of things we'd like you to think about:

1. GET THE FACTS: "FAMILY ACTION TRAINING SYSTEM".
We have worked hard to develop a fun way kids and their parents can talk about drugs together,
along with a lot of other things, without arguing. We use the time-tested, ages old
family meeting system to do this. It's fun, easy and convenient. We call it
the FACTS--"Family Action Training System"-- and it is absolutely great. 
It's highly acclaimed and has been especially designed for the whole family to use at
home. Now families can learn the truth about illegal drugs and how to avoid them.

This system is modestly priced for every family.
It's packed with information, resources and techniques.

Talk with your parents. Encourage them to take a look at the FACTS.
Encourage them to subscribe to the FACTS: Click Here