FACTS ABOUT ACNE

Although you should avoid chocolate and oily foods, due to the fact there is no nutritional value associated with these foods: there is no evidence that these foods cause acne.

You should wash your face no more than two times a day. Overwashing dries your skin out and prompts the oil glands to work harder.

Keep your hair off your face. Avoid squeezing or picking at pimples. Practice good hygiene by always washing your hands before touching your face.

FACTS ABOUT ALCOHOL

Legal drinking age throughout the United States is 21, although approximately 80% of high school students have experimented with alcohol.

Alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream and affects the central nervous system, which control body functions. Because a teens brains is still developing it affects teens adversely.

Alcohol is a depressant, and can cause a person to be more depressed if depression is already present.

BACKPACKS

Overloaded backpacks can cause you to lean your body forward, overcompensating for the weight of the back pack. Try not overloading your backpack.

Backpacks carried over one shoulder can cause one shoulder to be lower than the other permanently. Wear backpacks properly.

A backpack with wider straps helps distribute the weight. Backpacks that include a waist strap are even better.

Consider a backpack with wheels.

BODY PIERCING

Certain sites on the body can cause more problems than others — infection is a common complication of mouth and nose piercings because of the millions of bacteria that live in those areas. Tongue piercings can damage teeth over time. And tongue, cheek, and lip piercings can cause gum problems.

If you decide to get a piercing, make sure your immunizations are up to date - such as tetanus and hepititis.

When decided to get a piercing, make sure the shop is following proper hygience guidelines. Make sure the needles being used are "single" use, that the technician washes their hands, that the equipment has been sterilized.

If an infection occurs - evidenced by redness and puffiness around the piercing, bleeding or pus is present, or tenderness around the site of the piercing - seek medical help.

COLD SORES

Cold sores are pimple like bumps on the lips or mouth, causes my a strain of the herpes complex (HV-1, normally not sexually transmitted).

Avoid cold sores by not sharing lip balm, toothbrushes, drinking glasses etc.

Usually, cold sores go away on their own after a week or two. But if you get them frequently or they're a problem, talk to your doctor or dermatologist, who may be able to prescribe medication to alleviate symptoms and shorten the amount of time cold sores last.

DRUGS

Illegal drugs come in different shapes, sizes, and types. Each particular drug produces unique effects on the user. People use illegal drugs for many reasons, peer pressure, boredom, to fit in, experimentation, etc. They begin to abuse drugs when they repeatedly take them to solve their problems or to make them feel "normal". Illegal drugs are just that - "illegal" . We suspect they are illegal because no good comes from self medicating ourselves to "feel better". The feeling better effect is temporary and often leaves the user feeling worse after the effect wear off.

The most commonly used illegal drug is marijuana. It is derived from the cannabis plant, and is grown in many countries including the United States. It is relatively inexpensive and abundant. It produces a feeling of euphoria, paranoia, and in some a feeling on invincibility. Some people might even think it enhances their creativity. The reality is though, it also decreases inhibitions, motivation, and moral compass. Not to mention the famous theory of the "munchies"!

Another dangerous and rising drug of abuse is Meth, or methamphetamines. It is a powerful drug that affects the central nervous system. Unfortunately is it rather inexpensive to produce with simple over the counter ingredients. Because of the easy access to the ingredients people with little knowledge of the dangers attempt to manufacture the illegal drug in makeshift laboratories, set up in homes, warehouses, and sheds. The process is highly flammable and dangerous!!

Crack cocaine is another highly addictive drug which is easy to obtain and cheap in price. It is derived from the coca plant which is mainly grown in South America. Cocaine in any form is highly addictive and can be smoked, injected, or snorted. It's effect on our inner cities (although can be found in any city, town, or state) is profound, and it causes the user to loses all inhibitions or feelings of reality.

These are only a few of the powerful drugs teens and young adults are tempted with everyday. For a complete listing of illegal drugs and their effects, visit US DEA Drug Information

INHALANTS

Inhalants are products that have vapors or fumes, that when inhaled they cause feelings of "being out of it". Most inhalants have a depression effect which slows down the brain. Inhalants come in many forms, i.e. butane, liquid paper, cleaning fluids, glue, felt tip pens, paint thinner, etc. ALL OF THESE ARE DANGEROUS.

When people "huff or sniff" such inhalants the chemicals move very quickly to the lungs and then into the bloodstream. The chemicals in the blood slow down messages going to the brain and the central nervous system which causes the strange sensations.

Short term effects may cause - dizziness, euphoria, giddiness, exhilaration, less inhibited, light sensitivity, seizures, or unconsciousness.

In some cases sniffing inhalants have caused DEATH - either by suffocation, heart failure, or accidents as the result of being under the influence.

Death by inhaling is a real risk and can happen whether you have used before or it is your first time.