No matter what anyone says, YOU decide if, and how, you will take a drug. You will live with the effects of that decision. Your family will look to you and may follow your example when it comes time for them to make decisions about drug use.
Learn where to get accurate information and how to evaluate the benefits versus the risks of any decision you or your family may be faced with.
We understand that people make choices for a variety of reasons. We respect people's differences by offering education and help with their choices, rather than alienating them with severe and punitive laws.
Drug Consumer Safety
MAMA recommends a seven step process to evaluate the benefits versus the risks of using a drug. All drugs produce side effects and on occasion can produce dangerous adverse reactions. Some drugs may interact with other drugs which are being taken. This publication is intended to help you learn the steps to take to form your choices about drug use.
Using Alcohol Responsibly
This brochure gives people the information they need to make responsible decisions regarding the consumption of alcohol. It teaches the “One Drink Per Hour” Guideline and explains the effects of alcohol on the body and brain. Additionally, the pamphlet cautions about those who may have problems with alcohol use. It also warns about the danger of driving while under the influence of alcohol and mixing alcohol with other drugs (currently unavailable)
Dare to Tell Your Kids the Truth About Drugs
In this article, originally published in Alternatives magazine,Sandee Burbank discusses the difficult problem of how to give your children honest and accurate information, when they are bombarded with dishonest and manipulative messages, delivered through commercials, news media, movies, and others. This dilemma is particularly acute when discussing drugs. Sandee writes, "The confusion I experienced when trying to explain the drug war to my kids eventually led to a twenty-year involvement in drug education and drug policy reform.
A Rational Approach to Drugs
Our government has spent hundreds of billions of dollars in a high profile campaign to keep us safe from illegal drugs. Despite this vast effort, illegal drugs are readily available, even to our children. At the same time legal drug use leads to high levels of disease and death caused by alcohol abuse, prescription drug use, nicotine use and excessive consumption of over-the counter drugs. MAMA feels that the focus on illegal drugs gives the false impression that legal drugs are safe. More people are killed by aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen (Tylenol) than by illegal drugs, yet very few consumers of these over-the-counter drugs understand the risks involved.
Through the eyes of a child
This brochure describes MAMA's approach to parenting techniques, open communication and personal responsibility. Your children will look to you to learn how to make all of their decisions. Your actions will show your children your beliefs.
Drugs and the Workplace
There are more than 12,000 prescription drugs and 100,000 over-the-counter drugs in use today. Many of these cause side effects which can be dangerous on the job. Drug testing looks for evidence of 5 or 6 illegal drugs, and ignores all other possible causes of impairment. At the same time, a positive drug test does not mean that the person is impaired, or even that the illegal drug itself is active in the body. If we want real workplace safety, we should simply test for actual current alertness.