Pubdate: Wed, 06 Nov 2002
Source: Cherokee Scout, The (NC)
Copyright: 2002 The Cherokee Scout
Contact:  http://www.thecherokeescout.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2314

TEENS CAN'T DO IT ALONE

Every year Cherokee County students pledge, in one form or another, to 
abstain from using drugs and alcohol. Murphy High School's Fellowship of 
Christian Athletes organized the Students Taking A Responsible Step (STARS) 
program recently to encourage fellow students to stay away from drugs and 
alcohol. Many students pledged to stay clean. This is admirable, but for 
all of the students who make the commitment, others continue using 
controlled substances with the misguided belief that nothing bad can happen 
to them. All too often The Scout reports about a teen who died while 
driving drunk, or who was a drunk driver's passenger. Teens feel 
invincible. They see people their age dying from drug and alcohol use, but 
don't learn from the example. They have to learn the hard way. A person's 
inhibitions melt away when they use drugs and alcohol. This can lead to 
promiscuity, the spread of sexual diseases, pregnancy, date rape, physical 
assault or worse, death. Teens cannot make the drug- and alcohol-free 
commitment alone. It takes parents and authority figures to show young 
people the risks and consequences associated with using drugs and alcohol. 
Do your part.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens