Youth Blog Submission - The Youth Hub: Relief, at what cost?

Growing up in Broward County has it's ups and downs. I love my community, and the people in it. But it breaks my heart to see the effects on people who overuse and abuse drugs. Especially to the people I care about.

At first, you don't usually notice the symptoms of drug abuse. You might not even suspect that someone in your community would do such a thing. But most times — you don't notice until it's too late. I've seen strangers lose themselves because of how strong their addiction to drugs is. Cocaine, Marijuana, Weed, Nicotine, whatever substance you can think of when you hear of word "Drugs" is what many of the people in your community could be struggling with. It could be a family member, a coworker, a peer at your school, or even a friend.

Maybe your friend is going through a hard time, but has no one to lean on. Maybe your friend has no one to talk to. So instead of reaching out to someone, they turn to using drugs. At first, they might just use it just for relief — until they pick it up again. Slowly, they start making it a habit, until they can't live without it. This can happen to anyone. It can destroy lives, homes, and even families.

In conclusion, the sad side effects of drug abuse extend far beyond the individual user, leaving a trail of physical, emotional, and social devastation. From the deterioration of mental and physical health to the destruction of relationships and the loss of financial stability, the consequences of addiction touch every aspect of life. Communities suffer, families are torn apart, and individuals often find themselves trapped in a cycle that feels inescapable. Recognizing these painful realities is a vital step toward fostering compassion, improving support systems, and advocating for treatment rather than stigma. Addressing drug abuse as a public health issue can help us move toward healing, offering hope and recovery to those impacted and, ultimately, helping prevent more lives from being overshadowed by the heavy toll of addiction.

Deborah J. Aubel