Why Would Someone Take Their Life?
Dear Frankie,
Last month, my family buried my teenage brother Tommy. The terrible part is he chose to end his life. In the months leading up to his death, he and my parents fought constantly about him taking drugs. My parents told him time and time again that drugs were dangerous and could kill him. But he didn’t listen. He denied he was using and accused them of getting riled up over nothing.
I know he wasn’t telling the truth because I saw him and his friends using drugs at our house when my parents weren’t home. After they swallowed the pills, they acted like real nut cases and said crazy things about seeing scary monsters creeping around the room.
Tommy also smoked pot when he walked me at night. Yesterday, the vet told my mom that my asthma had reached the point that I needed to start on a daily drug regime to manage my symptoms. Knowing what I know about drugs, I don’t want to take them. I’m afraid if I do, they might make me do what Tommy did, and I don’t want to die.
Memphis
Dear Memphis,
I’m so sorry to hear about your brother. Drugs don’t make people kill themselves. People who are struggling mentally, however, have been known to take drugs to escape from their troubles. The asthma drugs the vet prescribed are made in legal drug labs under strict regulations. These drugs have been tested and shown to help dogs with chronic asthma breathe more comfortably. They don’t impact your mind and how you think.
The drugs Tommy took sounded like they were hallucinatory drugs. They are made in illegal drug labs by criminals to make money, not to treat illnesses. Hallucinatory drugs change the way the person taking them experiences the world around them. They are taken to have fun.
I can understand why you might be resistant to taking drugs. But as I explained, the drugs the vet prescribed are not like the drugs Tommy took. I suggest you follow your vet’s advice for a few weeks to see if the drug lessens your asthma symptoms. The worst that can happen is it won’t, but I can assure you it won’t make you take your life.
Best, Frankie
© 2024 Geneva Woodruff
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