People make choices everyday about using Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs without thinking about the consequences or how other people might be affected. Teenagers commonly believe that the choices they make only affect them and if they are harmed and no one else is harmed, then it’s o.k. Let’s examine these myths:

 If you or someone you know has ever witnessed someone using alcohol, tobacco or other drugs, PLEASE STAND.  Look around the room and notice how many people are standing.  If you or someone you know has ever felt unsafe because of alcohol, tobacco or other drug use, PLEASE STAND.  Look around the room and notice how many people are standing.  If you or someone you know has ever felt peer pressure to use alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs, PLEASE STAND.  Notice how many people are standing

 If you or someone you know has ever stopped being friends with someone because of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs, PLEASE STAND.  Notice how many people are standing.  If you or someone you know has ever been physically hurt because of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs, PLEASE STAND.  Notice how many people are standing.  If you or someone you know has ever experienced family problems due to alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs, PLEASE STAND.  Notice how many people are standing.

 If you, or someone you know, knows someone who has died because of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs, PLEASE STAND.  Notice how many people are standing.  Please sit down.

What did you notice after each statement? Hopefully, you noticed many, if not all, of your classmates stood at least once if not multiple times. Nobody lives in a bubble isolated from society. We are all affected by the choices people make everyday and not just when it comes to using alcohol, tobacco or other drugs. The choices we make always effect the 3 F’s in our lives, Family, Friends and Future. Perhaps you noticed that you felt uneasy or uncomfortable as this activity progressed. This is a normal reaction as our brain recalls the emotions and feelings associated with the events described. Lathrop has resources to help you deal with these feelings and emotions: Counselors, Mr. Raya and Mrs. Fosado; Mrs. Van Horn, School Psychologist, Ms. Chavira OCDE MFC Therapist are all professionals trained to help you deal and process these emotions. Our administrators, school nurse, or perhaps a trusted teacher or staff member are also able to direct you the proper resources. Remember your 3 F’s, Family, Friends, and Future; let me hear you say it, ”FAMILY!, FRIENDS! AND FUTURE!

The quality of a life is frequently measured by ones Family, Friends, and Future. The 3 F’s are intertwined in many ways. One can hurt another. One can help another. The point is you need to “think” about your 3 F’s. Your choices have a large impact on your 3 F’s. When you make bad decisions, Your family and friends treat you differently. Maybe it’s just disappointment, anger, or a genuine mistrust. Combine these with any educational or legal consequences of your bad choice, and you’ve negatively impacted your Future. When you do something in your life that is good, the opposite occurs. You see a positive reaction from your family and friends. It may be that they are happy to see you, they trust you more, you get along better with them, or you get more freedom and responsibility. The point is the personal and educational benefits of your good decision positively benefits your future.

Click on the site below to explore true stories about the effects of drug use on the family