I have witnessed drug and alcohol abuse in many young people. I discovered more young people using drugs and alcohol when I was in the sixth grade. I am now twenty-one years old and still see it nine years later. Back then I lived in East Chicago Indiana when I experienced almost every young adult I met either smoked marijuana or drink alcohol. They thought it was cool to put themselves in those type of bad situations. I dodged every bullet that was fired at me. My peers tried their best to pressure me but I didn’t let that convince me. I had all types of bad thoughts about those who did those things. I’m pretty sure their parents didn’t know anything about them drinking or smoking. Being positive is the key. Never let anyone push you to do negative things in your life. My parents taught me to be a leader not a follower. Today young children turn out to do and be things without going through preadolescence. About nine years ago in Jr. High school I was surrounded by many bad decision makers. So many young people that I grew up with, turned out being the ones that wanted to experience drugs and alcohol. I had so many negative thoughts to the point where they begin to dislike me. They tried their best to make me do it, but I was smart enough to know it wasn’t the right decision. I was taught that if you didn’t want a bad reputation, to just do the right thing. In the sixth grade I was shy so just imagine what pressure I went through. Once I went to the seventh and eighth graded it had got worse. It got to the point where they were smoking before coming to their first period class and had the school smelling horrible. The teachers knew that some were smoking and started reporting it to the principal. Putting yourself in bad situations is not a good idea. Once you commit to something it’s hard to get away from it. Smoking and drinking could really turn into an addiction. Those two are something you don’t want to ruin your