Say yes to HUGS and no to DRUGS.

It just seems to me more and more, that drugs are taking over our societies... taking over friends, families, strangers, young, old..

It's so heartbreaking to see these people struggling soo bad.. but is it their own fault.. or are they really sick..I have watched this show, and this woman was so badly sucked into a cocaine addiction she didn't know what way was up.. She was 4 months pregnant and clinging to her stints in jail, like they were mini vacations, in a top notch hotel.

She claimed she came from a loving single parent home, but her mother worked on a constant to provide for herself and her child.. However she says she was so loving, and taught her values and morals. So why is she so stuck in her addiction? How did she falter then and become this way, if she was taught differently?... I suppose that's because she made that choice, she chose to stray from the path her mother was lovingly guiding her on.

It's not like they want to become addicts when they do that drug that will ruin them forever.. Or do they know the consequences and just not care? ..

Whatever they are thinking it's unfortunate. Some have children, and families and are genuinely nice people turned into the face of addiction.

Whether choice or disease, it's real it happens, it probably will never stop. We will always have to open our eyes, and watch our backs.

Man adolescence is hard, so many pressures around you, school, friends, family, sports for some, jobs. This time in life is the most crucial for making those important life altering desicions like, schools, college, future job plans & a large one.. making the choice to try drugs, or give into peer pressure.

Making the right choice for yourself can be tricky, here's some helpful tips to just saying NO;

There's no need to offend your friends when turning down an offer, you can simply say statements as easy as, " Not really in the mood.." Or, " I'll pass thanks, i'm not really into that sort of stuff", "I'm really already late for work, I should probably get going!"

If the pressure becomes to strong, and they just aren't backing down (stay strong in your mind, and hold your ground), think of something that's strongly important to you, such as your job, your curfew, your boyfriend/girlfriend, getting home to take the dog for your daily walk, and stick true to it!

Without backing down, just press the point, "Look I'm really not into it, I have (insert important thing) to think about, I don't want to ruin it."

Something else to consider, that may aide in the decision to say no. Do your research on the effects and outcomes of drugs and alcohol, Know yourself, trust yourself, stand your ground & if need be speak to a family member or friend that will support you.

Reasons a Teen may feel the need to turn to drugs:

1. Curiousity.
2. Pleasure.
3. Boredom
4. Low self esteem
5. Trying to cope with some sort of stressful situation(s).
6. To escape, (growing up is tough)
7. To rebel
8. Mental illness, (depression, bi-polar, anxiety etc.)

Lastly, Peer pressure the leading cause in teens trying and getting hooked on drugs, getting the message out there, that it's not embarrassing or offending to speak up, and that you have a voice to use, can really be crucial.