R.H. (15)

I am a recovering addict whose gone through over 5 different rehab programs. I even participated in an outdoor Arizona "camp" for troubled teens and the one take away that I've had from most of my experiences in these programs is that people heal differently and at their own pace. Change only truly happens when you let it and are ready to. Keep your head up and we can all make it happen.

H.R. (14)

I saw close friends and even family fall into drug addiction and alcoholism, but still refuse to go to therapy. It is not a shameful thing to ask for help and get help from others. It is actually much more brave to take control of your life again and take action to help yourself. Society gives therapy a bad rep and pushes a negative perception towards people struggling with addiction. There is always a push for getting for mental wellness, but therapy and help for addiction is shunned.

K.J. (18)

I think a main reason as to why students feel like using drugs is so normalized is through social media. Lots of teens become easily influenced by what they see on the Internet, media, celebrities, influencers, and artists. Drug use is such a common theme in pop culture and social media that people just assume that it is normal. When students listen to songs from their favorite rapper about "popping pills" they are slightly influenced by it in several aspects.