81 SEMINAR (2)

"Let's welcome professor Nelly Adam," the principal said as all the students that were gathered in the hall stood up and gave a hand applause, and sat down.

"I'm so happy to be here again, seeing all your faces make a smile. The last time I was here the population was not as great as this but I'm so very happy. I'll be giving you some details of how I got pregnant and speaking mainly on drug abuse and its effect on our society today.

You all know I got pregnant at teenage age, for those who were in my last seminar. But how did it happen? is a question I'm here to answer. The simple answer was that I was drugged.

You must be wondering why I never talked about my friends, that's because the only friend I had and trusted betrayed me. The guy I told you, Ray who got me pregnant wouldn't have done it without my ex - best friend's help.

Now going into detail, one Saturday afternoon I was in my house studying when I heard a knock on the door. I opened the door and it was my best friend Marian and I let her in. She had a drink in her hand and she told me she bought it with her money for the both of us.

I didn't want to drink but she persuaded me that I should take it. Since it was my favorite drink, I decided to drink it. As I was drinking she was not drinking and I asked her why but she told me I should not finish it and that she would drink later.

I agreed and kept on drinking but it got to a point where I felt dizzy but did not know why. Later on, I did not know what happened, everything just went blank.

I woke up and found Ray at my bedside, I couldn't remember anything, my head just went blank. I tried to stand up but I was feeling pain in my head. I looked at Ray at my bedside for the second time before I knew what was going on I noticed my clothes were on the floor and soon I realized I was naked. I shouted for him to wake up

When he woke up he sprang out of my bed and said something like he was supposed to be gone but he overslept. As time went on I realized I was raped and began to cry.

He didn't even feel sorry, he only laughed. He told me that my friend did not mean to betray me and that she did it because of the money he offered her. I didn't understand what he was saying. He then told me that my friend helped him drug me and at that point, my heart was bleeding. The only word I could think of at that moment was the betrayer.

Before I could say anything, he ran away. I went to the hospital, I was given some drugs and injections after I told them what happened. The doctor promised me that he would make sure the person was arrested and that he did. But after that time I never saw my so-called best friend again but I believe she has gotten her reward anywhere she is in the world today.

You know the rest part of the story. Now to the main reason why I'm here today again to lecture you about drugs not just drugs but drug abuse and its effect on the lives of teenagers, youth, and the larger society.

First I'll define a drug. A drug refers to any chemical or organic substance that when consumed affects or causes some changes in a person's physical, mental, psychological, or biological makeup. In the case of western medicine, there are different drugs for different ailments, that is, it is out of practice to have one drug for more than one ailment. Each of these drugs comes with a prescription, indication, dosage, and expiry date.

Drug intake is seen as a form of remedy that helps to keep the human body right back on track. Today, drug and their usage has become pivotal in our everyday life and has been instrumental to increase the quality of life, living standard, and improved economy.

Drug abuse refers to the indiscriminate use of drugs. That is the use of a drug that is not prescribed by a medical practitioner. In this case, there is no proper diagnosis of the ailment.

Drug abuse is bad. As responsible, educated, and enlightened citizens, we should join hands with the relevant government agencies to educate the people about its negative consequences.

Some effect of drug abuse is irritability, aggressive behavior, nervousness (worried), unkempt appearance, loss of memory, brain damage (mental problem), deadly diseases, increased absenteeism at work, dropping out of work, and conflict with self and family.

Hard drugs that should not be taken are cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and the like. These are illegal drugs that should not be taken if you want to live a healthy and long life" she said.

She taught them various effects of taking hard drugs and how to prevent drug abuse. Some of the things she mentioned were counseling, awareness, enlightenment and sensitization, legislation by the government, and so on.

"Now you know all about drugs and their effects. I believe you will stay away from them. The exciting news today is that I came with my husband and my baby girl" she said and everyone shouted and clapped and everyone was eager to see them.

"Help me welcome my husband Doctor Melody Adam and my daughter Kelly Adam," she said they came on stage and everyone continued clapping.

"This is the man who helped me and this is my daughter," she said pointing to them as they waved and they went back to their seat.

"Kelly Adam, this was the name James told me. Is it her, no maybe it's just coincidence" Shelly thought in her mind?

Prof. Nelly Adam gave a concluding speech before she went to sit down. The school counselor prof. Lora Winston was also called upon to lecture them on various careers path which she did and in no time the seminar came to an end and they were asked to go home.

"This was a very long seminar last time was even better" Rita complained. "At least we gained a lot," Joan said. "Yes," Shelly answered and saw James her cousin from afar. "Joan if John asks of me, tell him I've gone home. I'll call you" Shelly said and Ran to meet James.

"James so you are here to pick me. Diamond was supposed to pick me" Shelly told him. "Sorry, he had an appointment in one of your father's companies" James answered. "Now that he has finished school and he's back I hardly see him" she complained. "Don't worry, he soon have time" he said trying to comfort her.

"Can we go see someone before we leave?" she asked. "Yes," he answered. They went straight to where prof. Nelly Adam was standing. "Good afternoon ma," she said. "Good afternoon Shelly, I must thank you for helping this organization. The president has helped us greatly" she said. "I'm honored" she answered.

"Kelly come say hi" her mother shouted and as she was coming, she and James looked at themselves in surprise. "Kelly!" James exclaimed. "James!" she exclaimed. "What are you doing here" they both chorused and hug each other. Shelly and the professor looked at themselves in surprise.

"Mum, this is the guy I was telling you about," Kelly said. "Really, nice to meet you, son," she said and shook hands with him. "He's my cousin's brother," Shelly said. "Wow, how great" prof. Nelly Adam said and they talked for a while before they went home.

Everyone was in class on Friday afternoon when their form teacher entered the class. "So you all know that next Friday is our annual school Christmas party. So you are allowed to bring dance partners from both in and out of the school" Mrs. Hannah said and everyone clapped and shouted.

"Vivid information about it would be sent via email and I wish you good luck on your last paper today. The examination has been tough but today is the final day" Mrs. Hannah said and everyone clapped before she left the class.

"John I'm coming, Mrs. Hannah told me to return these books to the library," Shelly said and stood up, she was leaving the class when Jack followed her.

"Shelly wait," he said and she stopped. "You heard what our teacher said, so I was thinking if you could be my dance partner," he said and John was behind the door hearing their discussion.

"Sorry, but someone has already asked me out before the announcement," she said looking sorry. "It's okay," he said. "Would you mind following me to the library?" she asked. "Sure" he answered and they went.

John was surprised and sad because he was not the one that asked Shelly. He sadly went back to his seat.