Psychoactive substances are those substances that change the state of consciousness, mood and behavior. Modern classifications of diseases define all health disorders that can occur due to consumption of psychoactive substances. Among them, the most important are - acute poisoning (intoxication), substance abuse and dependence, and abstinence syndrome or crisis.

Drug addiction is a condition of periodic or chronic poisoning, harmful to both the individual and the society, caused by repeated use of natural or synthetic drugs.

Drug addicts change society and mostly socialize with people similar to themselves, with whom they can be open, exchange drugs or take it without hindrance. Their social status is changing. They neglect their obligations towards study or work, they often borrow money or lie, they even steal money from home and from others. Later, they need more and more money and often sell drugs themselves and get involved in crime.

The relationship between family and friends, school, trust in professionals and institutions and seeking professional help are extremely important. Families very often, even when they find out that it exists, hide this problem, and it is known that they refuse to accept suspicions of its existence for a long time.

Parents must have more time for their children. They need to pay more attention to their behavior, especially during puberty and adolescence.

Signs and symptoms of the use of psychoactive substances are:

• sudden changes in behavior in relation to going to school or work, frequent absences,
• poorer work results or poorer grades,
• unusual behavioral outbursts or fits of anger, tension and irritability,
• greater irresponsibility towards obligations than before,
• major changes in attitudes and value systems,
• neglected appearance,
• wearing sunglasses at inappropriate times, wearing long-sleeved clothes even in warm weather,
• socializing with people who take drugs,
• unusual and frequent borrowings of money from friends, parents and relatives,
• stealing money at home or at work,
• hanging out with people whom parents know little or nothing about,
• frequent mysterious telephone conversations,
• attempts to hide from parents the reasons for frequent short-term exits from the house or the arrival of strangers in the house, etc.

One should not think that everything should be tried. A person who knows how to determine what is good and what is not, has a mature attitude towards the authorities and respects the recommendations of the society in which he/she lives.

Our student, Marija Djordjevic, sent a clear message with a video, which she made herself, about how "lethal candies" affect someone, especially a young person, and whether they should be taken or not. The decision is up to you.

The translation is available in Bulgarian and English.