Legacy Youth Ministry Resources

Illustration texts

Smoking Stats

"Smoking will be the world's no. 1 cause of death by the turn of the century. Tobacco is a bigger potential killer than AIDS. An estimated 500 million people will die from smoking in the next 25 years. Life expectancy of American males age 30 who are non-smokers is 18 years greater than smokers (82 years as compared to 64 years). (Christian Index, 12/19/91)

So Bring God Into Prevention

"It's rare to find God mentioned in secular discussions on how to prevent alcohol or other drug problems. That God is left out of prevention material is ironic, because mention of Him saturates the literature on treatment. The first three steps addicted people must take in treatment are to admit they cannot handle the problem alone, acknowledge that God can handle it, and allow God to take control of their lives." (Drug-Proof Your Kids, Steve Arterburn and Jim Burns)

Girls and Drinking

Girls, listen to this. Most of you probably don't realize that when you drink, you are sending a message to guys. Believe it or not, studies show that when guys see you drinking, especially in public, they take you to be sexually loose, fair game for any sexually aggressive bozo. Other bad news for girls who drink: women get sicker more quickly, are more easily addicted, and suffer more physical illnesses due to alcohol. (Washington Post) ? Copyright 2002 Steve Miller - All Rights Reserved

Chief Cause of Death Among the Young

"Authorities believe that the chief cause of death among young people (ages 15 to 24) is now drunk or drug-impaired driving." (Youthletter, April, 1985, p. 29)

Drinking and Driving

"...almost half of traffic-crash fatalities are alcohol related." "...as many as 40% of all persons may be involved in an alcohol-related traffic accident during their lives." (Bottom Line, 3/15/92, quoting from "Morbidity and Mortality Report," Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, GA 30333)

Widespread Alcoholism

According to the HHS Department, 43% of adults in the U.S. have a family member who is an alcoholic. (Christian Index, 12/19/91)

Saying No to Alcohol

Some ways to say no to alcohol: "No thanks, I feel good enough already." "What I'd really like is a Coke." "Sorry-I promised my parents I wouldn't." "Thanks for offering, but I don't drink." "No thanks. I'd rather keep a clear head so that I can enjoy our time together more fully." "No thanks. I can get the same effect by taking off my glasses." (Some of these suggested by "The Chemical People Newsletter," (Sept./Oct., '91)

Drinking and Hearing Damage

Did you know that when a person drinks, his inner ear will not defend itself against high decibel noise until the noise reaches four times the normal intensity that triggers the defense mechanism? So, the music may get louder and louder at a drinking party, because the drinkers can't hear as well. But this exposes them to music at ear-damaging levels, which can result in lifelong hearing damage. (Reader's Digest, March, '88)

Top 6 Reasons To Smoke Pot

Top 6 reasons to smoke pot: 1) Tired of dreaming about life-long ambitions, like owning a home, getting that dream job, or retiring with a lot of savings? Marijuana smoking helps you put such ambitions on hold, keeping you content with a no future, low paying job, just as long as you can have your pot. 2) Tired of your squeaky clean image? Loosen up with a joint or two and you're more likely to compromise your standards and agonize over the regrets that all the other non pruds deal with. 3) Want to be able to better identify with those who have low IQ's? Marijuana can help! It will hurt your intellectual performance, including your ability to process and remember information. Smoke enough, and you will be able to permanently identify with slow thinkers. The effects can be irreversible. Use it long enough, and you can also be an insider to any groups suffering from depression. Just think, you'll have so much in common with so many delightful people! 4) Itching to try some really exciting, hard core drugs, like crack, that have done so much good to so many people? Addicts who are recovering from the hard stuff say that Pot was their first step. So, if you decide to smoke pot, prepare to move on to bigger and better drugs. 5) Tired of your athletic abilities or good driving record? Marijuana to the rescue! This versatile drug also distorts your perception and affects your motor skills. In other words, you're more likely to become clumsy, uncoordinated, and accident prone, both on and off the road. 6) Do you envy the hacking cough and other symptoms of lung disease that you see in long term cigarette smokers? Don't waste time and money on cigarettes. Marijuana does three times the amount of lung damage that cigarettes do. So what are you waiting for? Light up a joint and soon you can hack to your heart's content. (By Steve Miller. Based on facts given by Dr. John Bledsoe, Ph. D., a board certified Psychologist)

Dependency is No Picnic

According to former Braves outfielder Lonnie Smith, "I'm still chemical dependant...Every day is a battle. You are never over it. Let me tell you, the day I'm cured is the day I'm going to my grave." (Atlanta Journal, Sept. 19, '91, p. 1)

1 | 2 | 3 |

>   >>