Alcohol and Marijuana

I think alcohol and marijuana are involved in a lot of teenager’s life from peer pressure. I think if people are around others or are doing it they will at some point try it too. I think it is becoming more and more of a problem because the consequences are becoming harder but yet it seems people don’t stop. When you consume alcohol it travels right to your blood stream. Drinking alcohol can cause you to gain weight, get liver disease, alcohol poisoning, hangovers, become addicted over time if not controlled, and many other problems. Marijuana can cause long term health problems such as infertility, weak immune system, chance of lung damage, and others. Sometimes I don’t think a lot of people are aware of all the consequences involved in the usage of these substances. Alcohol is not legal to consume until you are 21, but I think it is abused in some situations. I believe marihuana should remain illegal. I don’t think anyone needs to be involved in drugs.
http://www.med.unc.edu/alcohol/prevention/health.html

Response to Sam about the dress code!

I think that the dress code is more strict with girls. I don't think girls should be walking around showing things that don't need to be showed, but sometimes I think the teachers go a little extreme on the matter. Some people abuse the rules and I think that is where it is becoming more of an issue. Boys don't have to worry about shorts being too short or having rips in their jeans. They might have it a bit easier, but all in all I guess we just have to live with the rules.

Response to Erica and healthy lunches!

I think that our school lunches could be healthier. I pack my lunch but I see what other kids buy everyday. I don't think all the food is bad. We do have a salad bar and things. I think one thing is that we should have is more fresh fruits and veggies available. Erica is right. We do talk a lot about being healthy in our gym classes! We all I think can just make healthier choices when it comes to food and being healthy.

New idea to think about

I have liked block scheduling since we started high school. Other high schools still have eight periods a day though. Is one better than the other in terms of receiving a better education? What do you think?

War on drugs

Drugs are something that has taken over some peoples’ lives and even caused them to ruin or end their lives. People have abused drugs. People get so addicted and wrapped up in it that they even will buy medical pills off the shelves in stores and cook it into something new such as methamphetamine. Some people think that drugs should be legalized but I think that could just cause more problems. On http://www.usnews.com/articles/opinion/2008/07/25/public-opinion-should-the-united-states-legalize-drugs.html people state many different opinions on the drug topic. Some think that having drugs legalized would cause less crime problems from people trying to buy and sell the drugs illegally. Also, some state that there obviously would be an age limit and tax but I don’t think that would matter. I think drugs would get abused either way. Also if more and more people get exposed to the drug from having it legalized, we would be the ones paying their medical bills from all the health effects. I also hear having drugs be legalized would help in medical purposes to save lives. I wish if necessary it could be used in these circumstances, but I would not legalize drugs just for that reason.

Tobacco

Tobacco should not be legal. Nicotine is the main drug found in tobacco. Nicotine is highly addictive and many young people are getting into the use of tobacco. Children at age 12 have been recorded of using tobacco! That is way too young to be involved in drugs considering no one should be involved in its use. First of all tobacco is extremely unhealthy for your body. It can cause different types of cancers and lung problems. If you are using tobacco by smoking you are affecting others around you with secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke can cause lung and health problems as well. http://www.theantidrug.com/drug-information/commonly-abused-drugs/tobacco-nicotine.aspx

According to http://www.drugfree.org/Portal/drug_guide/Tobacco, about 3,000 non-smokers die from lung cancer each year from secondhand smoke and smoke in the environment. It also states the smoke in the environment causes about 300,000 children to have problems from lower repertory- tract infections. Overall this is not a very healthy substance for the user of tobacco or others in the surrounding environment such as their friends and family members. People also spend so much of their money buying tobacco when they could be using it on many other important things.

According to http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fast_facts/index.htm, more than 5 million deaths around the world each year are caused from tobacco. I think everyone should stay away from tobacco and try to live a healthier lifestyle and save some one else’s life by not getting involved!

Conflict Resolution

Today we hear so much about bulling. I believe that a big problem is that people try to avoid the situation. They don't want to talk to the person. They would rather talk about them behind their back, gossip, or make a big deal. I think that people need to go and confront the person they are having problems with. Before it gets to involved they should try to work it out. They don't need to involve others or make a big show of it. I think people are afraid to talk face to face to a person, but I believe it is the best way. I think trying to solve a problem by talking to a person will be effective most of the time. I think it is a skill be can all work and improve on.