What is a drug?
In general, a drug is as any substance, other than food, which is taken to change the way the body and/or mind work.

Why do children start doing drugs?
Maybe they don’t know how dangerous they are. Maybe they’re bored and looking for adventure and think drugs will do this. Some children might be lonely and take drugs as a way to fit in with a new group of people. Or some children may be in pain – they may have some problems that they don’t know how to solve, or who to talk to, and think drugs may make them feel better. And sometimes there are kids who don’t fit in and feel bad about themselves and use drugs to forget how they feel.

Taking drugs won’t make any of these problems go away. If you have any of these problems and are thinking of doing drugs, get help.

Why are some drugs good and some drugs bad for you?
When you get sick, the drugs the doctor gives you will help you get better. When used correctly and under a doctor’s supervision, these drugs can be safe. But if you take these drugs when you’re healthy, they can make you sick. Also, there are some drugs, like marijuana or crack that are never good for you.

What does it mean when people are “addicted” to drugs?
Drug addiction is a disease that affects your brain and your behavior. When you start using drugs you make a choice whether to use drugs or not. But once you start using drugs, the way they make you feel makes you want to keep using them. Over time, your brain actually changes so that the need to use drugs controls what you do. This need is very powerful, and once you’re addicted, your only thought will be about using drugs more and more. Choice won’t matter. And then comes the really big challenge: how do you pay for drugs and alcohol if you’re a kid?