Maybe he'll never listen
He had a way of lighting up the room... I remember so perfectly when we decided to get married. We had Kevin, our four-year-old son, and after him, we moved into our apartment. That was when his little habit really took off. The man who lived below us was a crack dealer and I'm sure a lot-of-other-things dealer as well that I was never told about.
I asked my husband to stop a few times, but to no avail. Once you're on the inside, any habit is a bad one. I loved that man so much and I know he didn't mean to hurt me. It was the drugs!
Danielle Mably, grade 12, Newmarket High School, Newmarket, Ontario

Words from an addict
So here I was spending my weekends getting absolutely hammered and high out of my tree. Spending my days high, making memories to look back on these high school years. Goals are broken and forgotten because nothing else matters but the high. There goes another line of coke, before school, in school, and after school. Desperate enough to even take a line before practice.
Drugs are the black hole of life; once sucked in, it can be difficult to return. Just one toke and one beer will not be your last. Quitting drugs is as hard a thing as anyone can encounter, and you can now hear this from a person who is six months clean. Me! If I could turn back time, I would. I would never have tried any drugs because the pain of the drugs is more immense than the struggle of life itself.
Jacqui Bresser, grade 12, Gleneagle Secondary School, Port Moody, BC

The mercy of the mind
Alcoholism doesn't necessarily begin because someone is depressed or because their life is unbearable. Sometimes, it begins as just fun, casual drinking. I started drinking because my life was too good. Too easy. I had to invent things to complain about. So irritatingly perfect that I couldn't breathe. There are many things that take time to build and seconds to destroy.
Nobody knew about my problem, so I had to wonder how many problems I didn't know about. Life is such a fragile thing, and since I've thrown my world all around, I can't even pick up the pieces anymore.
I think the next time I want danger and excitement, I'll go skydiving. And I'll be thankful instead of spiteful.
Nell Carter, grade 12, Newmarket High School, Newmarket, Ontario


Here are a few places to call for help:
BC Distress Line 1-866-661-3311 
or email www.youthinbc.com
Alcoholics Anonymous 604-434-3933
Narcotics Anonymous 604-873-1018
Alcohol and drug information lines:
BC 604-660-9382 or 1-800-663-1441
Alberta 1-866-332-2322
Ontario 1-800-463-6273
Life threatening emergency call 911

Reprinted with permission from Teensmag, a publication written by teens about alcohol and drug abuse education and prevention. Teensmag editor and publisher Dr. Merv Mason is a psychologist with many years experience in alcohol and drug abuse education and prevention. This publication is a useful resource tool in helping to educate teens against the dangers of substance abuse. Over the past 17 years, it has made a significant contribution to enhancing awareness about prevention. Through corporate sponsorship, Teensmag is distributed throughout secondary schools in BC, police detachments, the aboriginal community and substance abuse centres.