Staying Straight: Plenty of Teens Do Without Drugs and Drinking

By Tejas Amin, 17, Staff Writer

Originally Published: Feb 11, 2004

Revised: Dec 19, 2007

If you believe what you read, it seems teens everywhere are doing drugs.

News flash: They're not.

Religion, family, and just knowing that drugs are dangerous keeps lots of teens straight.

Straight-Edge

"Call me 'straight-edge' or whatever, but I don't care to drink or take drugs," says Jay Parsons, 18, of North Carolina. "Why would I? Because it's cool. Why wouldn't I? Because it's dumb. I'm happy with my life and I'm accepted for who I am. My beliefs are strong enough that I am unwilling to compromise."

For others, religion plays a big part.

"Every weekend I have to make the decision not to use drugs,"says Jamie, 17, of New Jersey. "I feel that my religion has a great influence on me."

Studies back this up. Only eight percent of teens who attended religious services four times a month smoked versus 22 percent who attended services less than once a month, says a recent study conducted by the National Center on Addictions and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, in New York City.

Kris, 16, of New Jersey, says he stays away from drugs because of the strong moral values he learned from his parents.

"Ever since I was little, my parents have been very open with me, and we have talked about drugs many times," says Kris. "Being able to talk to them about any of my problems has helped me to stay off drugs."

What's the Point?

Others just don't see any need to use drugs.

"I honestly don't see how it can be a pleasant experience," says Kate van Hooft, 15, of Melbourne, Australia. "I just don't see the advantages of having a fun night and waking up feeling like crap. I can be sexy without a million chemicals running through my bloodstream. I get natural highs and natural lows, and I'm happy with it."

"I'd also rather deal with things than run from them, and I'm not going to conform just because it's what everyone else is doing," she adds. "Everyone else won't be there when I'm screwed in the morning."

Kristen, 18, of New Jersey, says drugs make her lose her self-control.

"I love having fun, but if there's a chance that I can wake up and not even remember what happened the night before, I don't think I'm ready to take that chance," she says. "I need to stay in control of my body."

Michelle, 17, another New Jersey teen, stayed clear of drugs after her friend got in way too deep. Her friend started out as an occasional weekend drinker and turned into a cocaine addict at 15. After Michelle found out, she told her friend's parents who took her for rehabilitation. She is out of rehab and back with her family now, but her story scared Michelle from ever going near drugs.

Many teens have never tried drugs of any kind, including alcohol and tobacco. And they're happy with that decision.

Your Comments

Drinking? Maybe, Drugs? NO!

Posted by: BigMomma09 on Dec 22nd, 2007 11:12pm

Well don't lump everyone in2 that group of being a drunk
driver because for everyone that drinks and drives there are
3 that drink responsibly. I hate it when people think that
because you drink you have to either be: a.) an alcoholic,
b.) an irresponsible drinker (i.e. drunk driving), or c.)
just out of control. I mean you can be a social drinker,
even though I am underage I drink and I have NEVER gotten
drunk or out of control. I don't drink outside of new years
and a few family thrown parties

Drinking

Posted by: soccergirl927 on Jun 14th, 2007 7:35pm

I completely agree with the people that say they don't do
drugs because it doesnt' appeal to them. I don't see how
losing control of yourself and not having the ability to
make deisions you're sure of is fun to people. Another
reason i stay away from drugs and alcohol is that my best
friend was killed last year by a drver under the influence.
Think about the person you care about the most and then
think of seeing them die because one person wanted to have
good time. Still want to drink?