First lets start with the way drugs effect the brain.  According to the NIDA (National Institute for Drug Education), the brain is made up of many parts which work together to perform specific important  jobs. During drug use, the jobs which are be to performed, are interuped and may not or will not be performed. Thus compulsive drug use begins. This is where the trouble begins. At this time three primary areas of the brain is effected. Such as the brain stem,  the limbic system and the cerabral cortex. The brain stem is in charge of  breathing, blood circulation and food digestion. These are the functions needed to help us to stay alive.  The limbic system links brain structures that control our emotional responses, such as felling pleasure when we have sex. The good fellings motivate us to do it again.  The cerabral cortex is the outer part of the brain. It makes up about three-fourths of our brain and is divided into four areas called lobes. It enables us to prosess information from our senses. It enables us to hear,  feel, see and taste.  The front of the cortex, which is known as the frontal cortex enable us to think, plan, solve problems and make decisions.  Our brain communicates through neurons ( nerve cells). Neurons pass messagese back and forth within the brain. They are responsible for everything we feel, think and do.   Therefore, the neurons send and receive messages. Then  there is the neurotransmitters. They are the messengers that make nuerons jump from one to the other. Then they bind  to receptors. Receptors forward the approriate message after inter acting with the neurotransmitter.  After  the neurotransmitters have done their job, they return to original form by transporters. Now the process is shut off  by the signal between the neurons. They way drugs affect the brain is by interferring with the way nerve cells send, receive and process information.  Teen drug abuse is an alarming problem in the United States. According to Medical Net, therea re so many sumptums of drug abuse to look for in teens. Such as lying , making excuses, breaking curfew, staying in their room and verbal and even..yes..physical abuse.  Those are the most the common.  Now for the big stuff to look out for…please hurry up and save them!!!  The smell of marijuana, stealing, changes in friends, matches, rolling paper, pipes, multiple pill bottles and syringes are some of the evident that little John and Mary is Not who they used to be.  However, that can be changed.  Unfortunately drug abuse is everywhere and most of the times we don’t even see it until it’s too late. Like in the professional world. You can’t always tell if someone you work  with is “on drugs” because it effects so many different types of people.  Often,  when things get tough at work many people turn to drugs, thinking it will help them cop with their problems. They usually start out using occasionally but end up getting “hooked.” Executives have used “pill poppin” to help ease the thought of financial problems which have or may occur. An employee assistance program(EAP)  is emplemented in some jobs to help this severe problem. However the employee can not be ashamed or affraid to get help. They should see the people who are in charged of the program. And that’s a start in the right direction!!

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