Sometimes we need to talk about substance abuse. What are the things that can lead to drugs?

My cousin lacked the love of a mother. He struggled to find his biological mother and that was hurting his emotions. He was hopeful his father would invest in him but he had friends who are involved in crime and drug dealing, so as a result he dropped out of school. His brother is always there for him and I was always telling him to be aware of friends he chose but now as I speak, my cousin went from a bright future to a jail cell—all because no one talked about what he was going through. Addiction isn’t just “bad choices”—it’s pain, pressure, and silence.

Youth need real conversations, not judgment.

Let’s break the stigma.

Let’s talk.

By Dinah More

#SubstanceAbuseAwareness #MentalHealthMatters #BreakTheSilence #YouthSupport