Here is a representative sample of some of the questions our former teen volunteers answered.

Ashley

Question: hey my name is alyssa and im from Minnesota and i was wondering if any of you ever did drugs?

Answer: Some of my friends, even. The effect that drugs have on people and the others surrounding them is depressing. Fortunately, I haven't tried drugs at all. Last year a 15 year old girl I knew started getting into drug use. She lived around 30 miles away from me, so I tried to help her get help with her newly found addiction. Sadly, I was unable to help her, and she ended up getting deep into methamphetamine use. Thankfully, child service found out about it and sent her to a rehabilitation center for a year. Can you imagine losing a year of your life because of a stupid decision that you made? So sad at such a young age. That I why I never did drugs, nor do I want to try.

Matt

Question: hey matt, i have a problem with drugs and i was wondering how i could just say no and stop. i mean i have stopped hanging around most of my friends. i just dont have the will power when it comes to two friends b/c they have been there for me and we are all trying to stop. can you please help me?

Answer: Hey man, stay positive, you’ve already taken steps in the right direction and you do have the will and strength to quit. Stopping hanging out with your friends who do drugs was a smart move. They will only make things more difficult for you to quit. Meeting with a substance abuse, or guidance counselor will also help. Everything will be confidential and they have the knowledge and tools to help plan the most effective plan to quit. You can even go to them with your two other friends and quit as a team. On top of that, you should try to join more clubs and activities which you express interest in. This will help you to make some new positive friends who share the same interests as you. You do have the power to quit. It’s all a mind game which you will win. Stay strong and push on. When things get tough, stick to your guns and keep on pushing. You made the right choice! I wish you the best of luck and applaud you for your decision to quit.

Question: if someone loves you, why would they get on drugs and not quit?? It hurts so bad to see two totally different people for when he’s on them then when he’s clean for a bit.

Answer: I understand how hard this whole situation is for you. I have lost friends and seen relationships shattered because of drug abuse. However, I have also seen things work out. You need to really drive into his mind how much it hurts you when he is abusing drugs. He needs to understand that if he doesn’t want to lose you, he needs to clean up for good. If he truly loves you he will choose you over drugs. Another step to take would be to go to your schools substance abuse counselor or a guidance counselor. You can arrange confidential meetings with you and your boyfriend. The counselor will do his or her best to help you both. Unfortunately, there is another road you must prepare to travel. If he continues to make bad choices and chooses the drugs over you, you have to be prepared to break up with him. Who knows, maybe a break up will make him realize the consequences of his actions and maybe he will get clean. I wish you the best of luck and hope everything works out.

Stephanie

Question: hey my name is alyssa and im from Minnesota and i was wondering if any of you ever did drugs?

Answer: hi alyssa, No i have never personally done any illegal drugs but they have been offered to me. It is very common in my school for someone to come up to you and offer some kind of drug to you. It can be difficult saying no, but you definitely should. Drugs are without a doubt a filthy habit. I do however have friends that have done drugs. The negative effects that the drugs had on my friends is part of why i say no. No matter how much pressure is being put on you to do drugs you shouldn't because you would be disrespecting yourself. My strong respect for myself and my body have helped me to stay drug-free! I hope this answers your question and that maybe it will influence your future decisions about drugs.

Katie

Question: I don't fit in any where i go not at school, not at home not any where! I've tried to ignore other kids remarks but it does not work and when I try to get help from an adult it just gets worse. Please help me! from, ijustdontfitin

Answer: If I were you, I would figure out something you really enjoy doing like art or a sport or something and join one of those activities. That way you'll be meeting people who enjoy the same things as you and you can start building friends based on common interests.

It can definitely get hard when you feel like you're all alone but no one is ever alone. There is someone out there who more than likely feels the same way as you and hopefully by getting involved in something you enjoy spending your time with you'll meet that someone who's also in need of a best friend.

As far as the adults go...I personally feel that sometimes they don't relate as well when you go to them for help and they aren't on the same page. Try talking to your counselor at school first (if you haven't already) that way everything is confidential and he/she can help figure out a way to make you feel like you belong.

Keep your chin up because things will get better...

Question: why do people smoke and do drugs period it’s a dumb… way to fit in and be popular and all that. its stupid my friend is an addict and i hate that i told her to stop and she wouldn’t. i told her that if she didn’t stop id have to call the police because she tried to break into my house so yea, she’d also get in jail for doing illegal drugs.

Answer: I completely agree. I think that once kids start getting involved in drugs and alcohol, it's because of an insecurity they're dealing with. By resorting to drinking, etc...I think that they believe it makes all of their problems go away in return for a good time. But really, all it does is put if off and once they come off that buzz the problems are still there. It’s just a cover and a false sense of security.

As for your friend, I think that now is the best time to determine if she is someone you really want to surround yourself with. Attempting to break into your house as well as the illegal drugs are signs of an untrustworthy friend. It seems like you have a positive outlook on the situation and I'm sure you really want to help her but sometimes all you can do is walk away before you get yourself into a mess that you wanted nothing to do with in the first place.

If you really think that there is help for her, maybe talk to someone you know that is trustworthy and that you know would assist you in getting her the help she needs to get back on the right track. It may be hard, and she probably won't agree, but with your help and support she could easily get back on the right foot, start over, and begin building a better future for herself and for your friendship!

Kevin

Question: HI, I am a Grandma...My family has just gone through the worst nightmare a family could. My sister's Grandson just commited suicide. He had been "dusting" and though he had been planning it for a while, decided to shoot himself.

Since this has happened I have been hearing more and more of this going on, not only Teen Suicide, but the drugs that are involved. I want to know how I can help? What can I do to make a difference? I have thought about writing a small article for our local paper warning parents what to look for, but where do I begin?

I found your web sight by checking on the DEA web sight....Parents are in shock when I tell them, it's like they don't know….

…kids are hurting, not just from the loss of a good friend, but of a loss of a relationship with their own parents and loved ones....

Is there a good web sight to go to to get the real story on these over the counter drugs and make parents more aware of what could be going on in their own homes??

My kids are grown now with families of their own….I’m not going to be an "in the dark" Grandmother any more!!

Stand Up, Stand Out and Stand Against Drugs! Grandma C

Answer: Dear Grandma C, I am so sorry for you and your family’s loss. I can't imagine what pain you all must be going through. In my school last year I had a friend who died from a skiing accident. Although it wasn't drugs or suicide that killed him the pain and hurt was felt by us all.

I got into doing this web site in hope that I could make a positive difference in somebody's life. I think you are already taking steps to "do something" and make a difference too. This web site gives a lot of information for adults and kids about drugs that are out there and the consequences for using them. Our school put it in the computer lab so that it is available for kids to look at. Kids need to see and hear the truth so that they can make the right choices. Maybe you could ask to speak at a parent/teacher meeting (PTA). You could tell them your story and what you think may have been done to prevent this tragedy.

One other idea is to go in to the school and tell your story. I heard a mom from Miles City Montana (Mary Haydal) give a talk about the loss of her daughter to drug use. It made a big impact on our student body. I'm sure she would be willing to talk to you and give you information about how she is coping. She has made it her mission to educate parents and kids about the dangers of drugs and what it cost her family. I don't know if you have already looked at support groups to help you and your family cope.

I think the more people out there work to educate youth and adults it will impact lives.

I hope that your becoming involved in these issues gives you strength to deal with such a tragedy.

Sarah

Question: Hi my name is Karen. I was wondering what D.A.R.E is. I have never herd of it before. i have seen T shirts say to resist drugs and violence. but i don't know what it means. i have never been to one and i am 16 years old. please replay.

Answer: Hey Karen! First off, thank you for your question. DARE is an organization meant to keep kids and teens away from drugs and alcohol by providing them with the facts about the substances and alternative activities. In my opinion DARE gives you the information so that you can make well informed choices. As well as talking about drugs and alcohol DARE also has programs about bullying, peer pressure, and ways to say no to people and letting you know that it is ok to say no. I believe DARE is a way to show that you don’t need to use substances to have a good time, but there are other, safer ways to have a good time. I hope that answered your question. Thanks again for writing!

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