Heather Little-White, Ph.D., Contributor

Say no to drugs.

Using drugs in their natural state or as processed powders or pills may cause initial sexual thrills but the long-term effect of drug use is damaging to physical and mental health. Sexual encounters are more likely to happen under the influence of hard drugs and it may make safe sex more difficult to practise.

Ruthlyn, now 23, relates her experience with drugs from age 15 while attending a prominent all-girls school in Kingston. Her family includes father, a businessman, who frequently travels overseas; mother, an aspiring 'socialite' who spends time in volunteer service and an older brother, 30, who works as a computer programmer.

According to Ruthlyn, "From age 15, I found life boring as a teenager. I was very tom-boyish and used to hang out with the other children in my complex [a gated community]. There were more boys than girls and one other girl was tom-boyish and very mature for her age ... We would participate in the antics with the boys. We used to go to our friends for sleep-over parties, with lots of beer and wine sneaked in for consumption during the night.

"One night, Drew,who liked me, invited me to his house when his parents were away. He took me to his room and took out a bag from under his bed. From it, he took out what looked like a 'spliff' and he asked me to take a 'draw'. It was ganja and I choked almost to death on the first draw. After being soothed and coaxed by Drew, I took a few more draws and started to feel nice. The walls looked as if they were closing in and I was hallucinating and heard strange noises .... The practice became regular as soon as the helper left each afternoon and the supply was regular from the grounds men and security personnel in the complex. At school, it was common to share your experiences and it was as if each person was trying to outdo the others in the 'hip' group.

"One day, white stuff was introduced and Drew and his friends forced me to inhale the powder and I know I got 'high' on the stuff. I felt really sexy and Drew and I engaged in endless sex. I did not go home until early next morning and my parents didn't really know as they probably thought I was locked in my room as was the practice. It was typical to sleep in late trying to sleep off the effects of the drugs so that my parents would not see the strange look on my face.

"One night I took too much and with the intense sexual encounters with the boys, I was so weak and could not walk, my friends propped me up and took me home. I had to be rushed to the hospital emergency, because I had a drug overdose. I went through rounds of treatment and therapy and with the near-death experience I was shocked into my senses and stopped taking drugs. I only started to have sex since I got married a year ago and became a Christian now heavily involved in youth counselling."

Drugs impair the ability to make sound judgment, to protect the body and one's integrity. What may be 'harmless' experiments with marijuana and alcohol could prove to be deadly because of the chemical composition of the illegal drugs which are eventually added. There are many factors to consider before taking any substance.

Marijuana, also known as ganja, has over four hundred chemicals. Active ingredients like cannabinol affect the brain, impairing memory, concentration and reading capacity. Marijuana is known to increase anxiety and fear and it may damage heart and lungs. In the long run, the male hormone, testosterone, and sperm count are lowered. Females may experience fertility problems as a result of changes in ovulation and menstrual cycles.

Cocaine, a potent stimulant which if taken in small amounts, increases sexual arousal and prolongs erections and orgasms. However excessive amounts impair sexual functioning and create frustration for the user.

LSD, also known as magic mushrooms, is a very powerful hallucinogen which may increase sexual awareness but could cause mental breakdown if large doses are taken.

Amphetamines, also known as speed, these are 'pep pills' to fight fatigue, sleep and suppress appetite and to give a little sexual lift. However, large doses may delay ejaculation and both partners could engage in prolonged sex with the risk of chafing. Psychological addiction may also result.

Ecstacy, increases warmth and physical arousal toward sexual partners, but large doses lead to feelings of loving everyone and so users may end up sleeping with multiple partners without the use of a condom.

Opiates, includes drugs such as heroin, morphine and codeine. The effect is primarily pain-killing but misuse can lead to grave effects such as impotence and difficulty achieving orgasm.

Poppers create an intense head rush and relaxant effect but may reduce blood pressure.

China white, one of the newer drugs, is a combination of LSD and cocaine and can cause disorientation and Parkinsonian [brain damage] because it is one thousand times more potent than heroin.

Though the influence of peer pressure may be strong and the idea of enhanced sex exciting, it is advisable to avoid using drugs especially if you are feeling depressed. Dependency on prescribed drugs is not encouraged as these could have unpredictable side effects.

Names changed for privacy