Our view on drugs
Our vision
For many people, drugs are a far-off issue until they are confronted with them, at which point some people can become very emotional. However, drugs have been around for all times and all cultures. Often drugs are prohibited (e.g. cannabis) or subject to strict rules (e.g. morphine), while others are permitted (e.g. alcohol and cigarettes). This usually has little to do with health motives, but more to do with political, economic or cultural reasons.
To look at this more rationally, it is best to broaden the focus. Not only the MEANS (type of drug, quality, strength, quantity...) is important, but also the PERSON who uses (age, character, motivation...) and the ENVIRONMENT in which you use (alone, with friends, at work...).
Drugs (alcohol, speed, cannabis, XTC, sleeping pills...) are never good or bad in themselves. The quality of certain illegal drugs may leave something to be desired, but ultimately it is how you handle them that determines whether you get into trouble or not. If you regularly use alcohol, cannabis or other drugs because you are not feeling well, because you are stressed, because you cannot sleep, because you have problems, because you worry a lot, then this can help in the short term, but in the long term you risk becoming dependent. Those who use drugs to escape from themselves will sooner or later get into trouble.
There is a time to party and enjoy life, and that often involves drugs (e.g. alcohol). There is nothing wrong with that. But there is also a time to work, to develop yourself, to be fully present, to be there for others... In those circumstances, substance use will lead to problems more quickly.
Onze missie
Since one in seven young people experiment with illegal drugs, Drugstories wants to teach them how to deal with legal and illegal substance use. ‘Dealing with’ can take the form of not starting, postponing use for as long as possible or learning to deal with it responsibly.
Drugstories has the following objectives:
- Increase knowledge through objective information
- Recognise signs of irresponsible behaviour
- Publicise support channels
- Warn about the dangers of drugs
- Gain insight into the motivations of drug use Learn to think critically
- Encourage critical thinking
- Deal with peer pressure
- Dare to stand up for your own opinion
- Make drugs more open to discussion
- Peer communication
Our values
Openness
We want to talk openly and honestly about drugs. No taboos and no patronising finger-wagging. Just objective information, adapted to the target group.
Respect
Respect begins with really listening to each other. Only by approaching young people and their opinions (however different they may be) with respect, can you exert influence.
Freedom
Addiction is the polar opposite of freedom. We want to use young people's desire for freedom to help them make the right choices. In complete freedom... so that they can continue to make free and well-considered choices in the future.
Professionalism
Drugstories has been providing services to its loyal customers for 20 years: schools, organisations, prevention services, youth institutions, social associations, etc. For us, professionalism means reliability, continuity, flexibility, problem solving, trust and satisfaction.
