| Red Ribbon Week assembly programs provide a | | | | At some point the youth will realize that there is |
| great opportunity to discuss the four steps in the | | | | something wrong with their behavior. This is the |
| Cycle of Drug Addiction. The cycle is made up of | | | | second stage in the Cycle of Drug Addiction, |
| four steps being, a trigger, discovering something | | | | which should be highlighted in Red Ribbon Week |
| is wrong, trying harder and failure. | | | | assemblies. At this point, the youth using the drug |
| The two basic categories of a trigger are defined | | | | will usually seek help to stop or stop by |
| as using drugs for a "high" and using drugs to stop | | | | themselves. Others will move on to the third |
| feeling. When a person starts using drugs to get | | | | stage. |
| high, they are trying to intensify feelings of | | | | Once the youths reach this third stage, it is a |
| confidence, happiness and exhilaration. The person | | | | clear indication that a professional is needed to |
| is looking for the thrill that accompanies a rush of | | | | help them stop. The youth will keep saying they |
| adrenaline and "feel good" hormones through their | | | | will "try harder to stop," but most will not achieve |
| bodies. | | | | this. The last step in the cycle is failure. The more |
| The second category of triggers is when a | | | | the youth fails to stop, the worse they feel and |
| person is trying to suppress their own feelings. | | | | more drugs they will probably use to try and feel |
| This is usually an indication that the person is | | | | better. |
| experiencing feelings of hurt. The use of drugs will | | | | Highlighting these steps in the Cycle of Drug |
| suppress these feelings of hurt and enhance | | | | Addiction will help youth's understand how drug |
| feelings to make them feel better. These | | | | abuse starts as well as why it is important to |
| differences should be clearly highlighted in the Red | | | | avoid drug related situations. |
| Ribbon Week assembly. | | | | |