I want you to do something for me. Grab a piece of paper and something to write with because I'd like you to think about yourself for a minute. I'm going to ask you a few questions, and what I want you to do is write down the first answer that comes to your mind.

Don't think. Just write. Are you ready? Go!

Do you ever get bored?How often do you get bored?What do you do when you get bored?Do you ever feel stressed?How often do you feel stress?What do you do when you feel stressed?Do you receive an allowance or paycheck?How much money do you typically receive/make?What types of things do you generally spend your money on?What do you want to be when you get older?What is your number one goal?What do you think you have to do in order to do that?Now I'd like you to go back over the answers that you wrote down. How or where do drugs and alcohol fit into your life? Do you have time for them? Are they a temptation whenever you feel burnt out, stressed out and overwhelmed?Do you believe that you are strong enough to deal with these temptations and emotions alone?If you are an average teenager or college-age student, the answers that you typically have for these questions are a huge cause of concern for your parents, teachers, counselors and friends.Why? Because when the truth is told, you do get bored and have time for drugs and alcohol.

You have a greater tendency to become stressed than most adults because of the pressures of school and the desire to fit in. As a result of the society that we live in, chances are that you either receive an allowance from your parents, or you have a job. The problem comes in when you are asked to sit down and think about what you want to do with your life after you graduate from school, be it high school or college.Now, I am only a 21-year-old college student so I am still experiencing the same pressures that you are. In my experience, however, I am learning when students like yourself are being approached and pressured into trying drugs or becoming a part of the party scene, you don't stop to think of the consequences these actions will have on the life that you want to live as an adult.Look at the answers you wrote to the last three questions. Can you be an alcoholic or drug addict and still do what you want to do successfully? No, you can't.Now, please don't mistake what I'm saying for an accusation. I'm not telling you that all young people fall into the traps of peer pressure. And I'm certainly not telling you every teenager who tries drugs and alcohol becomes an alcoholic or an addict. That simply is not the truth.What I am saying is that it is far easier than you think to become an addict. Obviously, kids don't start out thinking, "Oh, man! Wouldn't it be so cool if I get addicted to this stuff?!"The problem is that they simply don't start out thinking at all. The pressures of school and friends begin to cave in and your world starts to look smaller and smaller, and then you break. It's totally normal to feel that way.Everyone has a breaking point, even me. The issue I am trying to get you to think about is how you are going react when you reach yours.Your friends, teachers, counselors and parents will probably not recognize your breaking point. In fact, I know they won't.The people in my life certainly didn't know when mine came along. Especially my parents. But I truly think that it is vitally important for you to understand that there are no longer any "safe zones" for you to run to.

The pressure to do drugs and drink alcohol has permeated every corner of the world that we live in. You encounter them in school, in your home neighborhood, at your sporting events and after-school activities, and even in your church youth group. The temptation is everywhere. And the offers are sometimes too hard to refuse.It would be so easy for me to sit here at my desk in my quiet office and write to you, "Just say no!" But I realize that is not going to help you much when you are presented with an opportunity to try cigarettes or marijuana or alcohol or any of the harder drugs. The great thing about saying no, however, is that you may never have to open your mouth.From 65 to 90 percent of every conversation you have is interpreted through body language. And I have found that the easiest most effective way for you to "say no" is to simply walk away or choose to not say a word.Will it be easy? No. Will you feel good afterwards? Probably not. But will it be worth it for you and for the rest of your life to do it? Absolutely.

Crystale

One third of teen smokers will died from a tobacco related disease.The good news is only 20 percent of junior high students smoke some form of tobacco.Alcohol is the leading cause of death among teenager.Only 24 percent of students smoke marijuana.Youths who have older brothers and sisters who smoke and drink are three to five times more likely to use tobacco and alcohol because siblings are a stronger role model than friends or parents.

www.americanlegacy.orgwww.family.samhsa.govwww.marininstitute.orgwww.nida.nih.govwww.thecoolspot.govwww.dancesafe.orgwww.teensdrugabouse.gov