The good news is that there are many more positive and healthy ways to feel grown up, be part of a group, relax and feel good, take risks, and satisfy curiosity. If you are looking for a challenge, try activities like rock climbing, hiking, or skiing. Join a club or sports team at school if you want to make friends and learn something new. You can even start your own club! Going out to a movie or shopping with friends are great ways to relax and have fun. You can probably think of many more great things that don’t involve using drugs!

Be safe: choose not to use

Ok. So you know that drugs can cause terrible problems. Now what? The hardest part is telling your friends or anyone who offers you drugs, "NO", but it is definitely worth it! Most teens have made the decision not to use drugs. Making a decision not to use drugs takes courage but you can do it! Here are some ways you can choose not to use:

• Just say, "No thanks."
• Find an excuse to leave.
• Stay alert: don't allow anyone to give you drugs without you knowing it.
• Ask for help from other friends or adults if someone is really pressuring you to use.
• Make new friends who respect your decision not to use drugs.
• Go to events that don't involve drugs. Don't put yourself in an unsafe or difficult situation.

Know when there’s a problem

How do you know a friend has a problem with drugs? Here are some signs:

• A person who has a drug problem thinks drugs are the solution to all problems. She may spend all of her free time figuring out how to do drugs and how to get money to buy drugs.
• She is anxious, depressed, and irritable.
• She has dropped out of regular school activities and has a group of drug-using friends.
• Her grades have dropped and she may not come to school regularly.
• Her sleep habits have changed.
• She seems to have gained or lost a lot of weight.
• She may look sick, tired, or even messy.
• She also seems to be taking more and more of the drug to get the same effect.

If you or someone you know shows some of these signs, you can get help! The only way out of drug addiction is to recognize that there is a problem and that you can get help from others. Turn to your parents, teachers, counselors, or any adult you trust—they care about you. Although it won't be easy, you or your friend can stop using drugs. Don't be ashamed. Asking for help could be the best decision you ever made.

(Source: www.hhs.gov)

It may seem that everyone around you drinks, especially with alcohol ads all over the place, but there are many teens that do NOT drink. You do not need to drink to have fun, be popular, or be comfortable with other people. You can choose to say NO to alcohol when friends want to drink. Here are some ways:

• Just say, "No thanks" or "I don't drink."
• Don't go to places where there will be drinking. Suggest another activity to do. You can catch a movie, go out to dinner, go shopping, go see a school play, or attend a sports event.
• If you are somewhere where there will be drinking, figure out what you're going to say ahead of time to anyone who offers a drink to you. Also, always take extra money and your cell phone to an event where your friends or other teens may be drinking. NEVER get into a car with someone who has been drinking! Call a taxi or your parents to come pick you up.
• If you're at a party with alcohol, drink something else instead, like soda or water.

You may have heard that drinking alcohol at a party helps you to loosen up, talk to people, and make new friends. But the truth is alcohol—no matter what amount—can make you have less control over what happens to you and your body. You can end up in uncomfortable or even dangerous situations. The best decision you can make is not to use alcohol at all. Most importantly, if you are drinking a soda or juice at a party, NEVER put it down and go back to finish it! Someone can spike (put alcohol in) your drink or even put a drug in it! Check out these questions and answers for more information.

(Source: www.HHS.gov)