Drugs

Drugs are substances, harmful even in small doses, that share these characteristics:

• They provide short-term well-being.
• They damage the brain and nervous system: a toxic poison that impairs intelligence, will and freedom, causing psychological, work-related, family and social harm.
• They create addiction or a strong desire to take them again.
• They are the origin of many sins, accidents, thefts and beatings. A friend tells me to add deaths and suicides since he has experience of such cases. I hesitated to include it because they seemed less common events. In the end I decided to write it, since in some way taking drugs is a slow-motion suicide, and that is indeed something general.

Their effects on the nervous system are serious. It can be said that they are the material things most damaging to man, because they affect the faculties of the soul, reducing the capacity of intelligence and will.

There are several reasons:

• They are in fashion in some circles and whoever does not take them may feel somewhat rejected. There is also curiosity and desire for new experiences. Normally they begin to be taken through the influence of friends.
• They provide pleasures and short-term well-being. And one does not want to think about their later effects.
• It is a way to escape reality. But it does not solve problems; it makes them worse.
• Some people without ideals adopt entertainment as their main goal in life, and drugs momentarily help certain revelries. They do not care that they cause damage to the person as long as they provide entertainment now.

It is important not to start down the road of drugs since it is hard to leave. A friend who gave up drugs insists I emphasize this sentence, and I repeat it: it is important not to start down the road of drugs since it is hard to get out. To avoid starting, the following are usually recommended:

• Avoid environments and friendships that use drugs. This is the main measure to take, although changing habits always has a cost.
• Lead a disciplined life, accustoming oneself to mastering one's own body so as not to be a slave to its whims.
• Foster responsibility in work and in service to others, so that entertainment takes a back seat.
• Foster spiritual life and other noble ideals that give greater meaning to life.

Since drugs weaken intelligence and will, and create addictions, giving them up is costly. To achieve it, the following are recommended:

• Seek the help of a trusted person who can support a weakened will.
• Break decisively with drug environments. This is essential.
• Fill time with healthy activities.