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1st
Place Alyssa
Slocum Free will is something that every American has; it is something that Americans have fought for, all of our lives. Free will is the choice to say “yes” or “no,” to make our own decisions, and to live our lives to the fullest. Many people make bad decisions that can ruin or damage their lives for a short amount of time, but one decision that can dramatically change a person’s life forever is saying yes to drugs. No is one of the first words babies say when they are young, but I believe it is the most important word in the English language. No--it is a word that lets people stand up for themselves and not to give in to the pressure of our society today. The definition of a drug is any substance other than food that can affect the way your mind and body work. Drugs alter the way you think, move, act, and walk. Drugs change everything about you. When you start drugs, it is an unstoppable habit; like a fish going for the bait, you’re hooked. It takes perseverance and determination to say “no” to drugs. You have to be brave and worry about your future rather than looking cool in front of a crowd. I wonder many times why people choose to go on that path of life; I wonder what motivated them to say “yes” instead of “no.” I see that all people are self conscious, and some think that drugs are the way. I wonder what’s up inside that head. It’s a choice, it’s a decision. Saying “no” to drugs is something that no one else can do but you. I see that we are all different, but why do people feel the need to destroy what is beautiful? Life itself is so beautiful that I don’t understand why some people would want to wreck that fragile, special, unique thing that we all take for granted. It’s true that it’s a choice; it’s a decision. I hate that people shatter that fragile glass pane of life. Drugs are not the way to go. So just say “no.” I look and I see that there is no silver lining about drugs. Cigarettes are another story; some think it looks cool to light up and smoke a cigarette. Many use excuses like “I only do it once a day,” or “I’m cool because I smoke.” But the truth behind the story is that you are doing so much damage to yourself and the environment, there is no point in smoking. Truthfully, you’re not cool because you smoke, and I want to ask the people that are pressured to do drugs to be strong and depend on God to guide their way. It is not fair to anyone to do drugs. It is a harmful, horrible substance that no one should have to go through. I think that everyone needs to see the importance of life, and the importance to be secure with yourself enough to say “no.” It’s so simple. And it amazes me every day how many people don’t use that two letter word that can “make it or break it.” It’s your life, it’s your choice, it’s your decision: be strong and say “no” to drugs.
2nd
Place Rachel Villanueva Many teens get into drugs and alcohol for many different reasons; some try for curiosity, to please a certain someone, rejection, and even pleasure. Those are their reasons for abusing themselves, but these are my reasons not to mistreat myself. My first reason is that I have a choice, next I do it for the people around me, and my last reason is that I have goals and dreams I want to achieve. I can’t stop all people from using drugs and alcohol in the world, but I sure could make a difference for myself. No one else picks what happens in my life, it’s my choice. At times there will be forks in the road I know I’ll have to take, and at that point, I’m going to have to decide what’s right, or let my peers decide for me. I want my life’s journey to expand, not to make an early departure by abusing my body. Think of all the people in the world who are suffering from mal-nutrition, substandard housing, and so much more, because they don’t have a choice. And since I do, I’m going to take advantage of that as much as I can. I’m going to stay drug free. Why would you want to approach death sooner if you had a choice to not use drugs or alcohol? Using drugs and alcohol doesn’t only affect you, but your family and loved ones as well. Maybe a younger child you know looks up to you as his role model. Suddenly, you get into things you know aren’t right and he wants to follow. Then an accident occurs with him. Would you be able to handle the blame? Could you be held responsible that the accident could have been prevented if you had not started what you did? How would your parents react if your liver had been destroyed from alcohol abuse and you died? Or if you got lung cancer from too many cigarettes. What would they think? Would they blame it on themselves and do things they might regret? I don’t want any of those things to happen to anyone. Before I do anything, I always look back and think, “Would my parents or loved ones want me in this situation?” Because it’s not only about me, but how it affects others too. The last reason I’m staying out of drugs is that I want to achieve my dreams of becoming a children’s book author. One of my highest goals is to go to college and graduate. Even though I’m not going to be the first person in my family to go to college, it still means a lot to me because my parents have always wanted me and remind me to work hard and arrive there. I’m pretty sure this goal won’t come if I take drugs or alcohol. I want to have more choices by staying out of drugs, because for some careers a past drug record could mean you already don’t qualify. I want to have many choices opened up to me because I want to succeed. It’ll take a lot of determination and will to achieve my dreams, but I know I can do it and get through it with hard work. Life is like a roller coaster. There are bumps, turns, and falls. It never goes perfectly straight. Living is like a ticket you pay for the ride, and at the final destination, we must leave life and come upon death. The price of living is dying. I’m not ever going to pay my price early with drugs or alcohol.
3rd
Place Christine Lee Saying “NO” to drugs is one of the most important decisions you will have to make in your life. If you say “NO”, you won’t regret it because there are so many positive things to being drug free. If you end up saying “YES” to drugs, you will regret it because there are no positive sides to doing drugs. Here are some reasons why you should never do drugs and a few ways to learn how to say “NO” to drugs. Drugs are too easy to get for teenagers and they can affect your health in a negative way. About 70.2% of students have tried smoking while still in school. One problem is that drugs are so easy for young people to get. Students 18 years and younger can easily purchase their drugs, such as cigarettes, at a gas station without being asked for an I.D. picture. Once kids get a hold of drugs, they may start having health problems. Someone who does drugs may have many respiratory problems. If kids keep smoking for many years, they will develop abnormal functioning of the lung. There are many different ways to say no to drugs. One way to say “NO” is to just say “NO” like you really mean it. If you can’t say that or don’t want to, then you can give reasons why not to do drugs. You can always suggest other things to do or when everything else fails, or just walk away from the person. If you need someone to talk to about drugs, talk to someone you trust like an adult or a friend for help or comfort. If kids can’t say “NO” to drugs, there are many ways to tell if he/she is taking drugs and there are lots of ways parents can stop it. To tell if a child is taking drugs, look to see he/she is getting bad grades and is tardy to events, or is less motivated about things that he/she enjoyed before. If your child is losing interest in activities, or is more forgetful, then they could be taking drugs. More clues that a child is taking drugs is that he/she may suddenly have a short attention span, trouble concentrating, or is becoming aggressive. Also if your child suddenly has an uncaring attitude that starts a lot of family arguments, or if you find money is suddenly disappearing, are some more clues can help decide whether your child is doing drugs. Some other things to look out for are changes in dressing and grooming, trouble with the law, or an unusually large appetite. Use of visine and room deodorizers, or drug related graphics on clothing are some more important signs that your child is taking drugs. A parent can help by having a few conversations with their child about drugs every week so it is not as likely that he/she will do drugs. It is also more likely that when a family eats meals together, their kids are less likely to do drugs because they are closer to their family and raised well. So just know, if you say “NO” you won’t regret it because there are so many positive things to being drug free. Although, if you do say “YES” to drugs, you will regret it. Also, there are many ways to say “NO” and many ways parents can help their children. Remember, drug free is the way to be!
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