The real truth on peer pressure
Peer pressure is about the choices we make

Ashley Porta| Digital High Freelancer
Munster High School

We've all heard about it in "DARE" or read about it in the latest issue of "Seventeen." People, especially adults, claim that peer pressure, in high school is horrible. The media portray us as not being able to go anywhere without giving into the needs of our friends. In doing so, however, we will become addicts. We will start drinking and smoking and we will become someone bad. What we have to do is take a look at the real situation...

Reality bites
I was asked to speak in front of a group of 3rd graders a few weeks ago. It was for part of a community program and basically they asked me questions. The questions were preposterous. For example the kids asked how many students were killed at school weekly. "How many times people asked me to join a gang each day." "How did I know the good kids from the bad kids?" These questions, at least to someone like me, seemed soooo far fetched.

The ability to say "no"
Of course I'm in high school. Probably for as long as people can remember, high schoolers have been offered drugs, cigarettes and alcohol. For as long as people can remember these items have been at parties. People have, however, said "no."

"No" is all it takes
Honestly, one "no" is all that it takes. Usually the offerer will stop asking the question at that time.

Think about it. Inside each of us is an extremely selfish being. When we ask our friends if they want a candy, piece of pizza, etc, we don't care if they say yes. They say yes and we hand them the piece. If they say no, however, it means more for us.

That same analogy applies to drugs, alcohol. People will offer it to you, that's normal. If you say no, it means more for them or for someone who wants it.

No real reason for not doing drugs
Now, I'm a good girl and I honestly don't know why. There's no real reason, except for the fact that I paid attention during DARE. I know drugs, even alcohol poisoning, can kill you. I've seen too many people die from lung cancer.

I guess I could say that instead of being a "good girl" I'm simply smart. I know what is good and what is bad. Deep down, we all know this fundamental difference. Since the first time we learned that such substances existed, we learned they were bad. At the very least, we learned that they weren't good.

Just one night
All you have to do is remember that. In the long run, things are going to get confusing. Parties may seem fun. Just remember that a party lasts for one night and something like cancer lasts forever.

Making choices for ourselves
Is it easy? No. The point is that it's just what I said it was, a CHOICE. Yours and yours alone to make. Sorry to inform you parents, but, no matter what you teach your children, no matter how good you are, it's their choice. They're going to be on their own and they have to choose the option that is best for them.

The trick is to see the real meaning of the word, "best."

Basically, my advice is to stand your ground. Don't do anything stupid, because, in spite of adult popular belief, no one is going to make you.