During our student workshop day, February 17, Dr. Fred Dyer from Chicago spoke to all CedarBridge Academy students on strategies to prevent drug and alcohol abuse.

He explained that there are three reasons why youth may abuse drugs and alcohol. We try new types of drugs simply because we are curious or we do drugs because our peers are doing them or we use drugs and alcohol to cope with stress.

In today's society with youth, peer pressure is very strong. I think that we are surrounded by our friends and we are influenced to do things that they do.

Our so-called friends can pressure us to do the wrong things because we are around while they are doing them and we want them to like us. Even though we have our own knowledge of right and wrong, being involved with the wrong actions and thinking of our peers can override our ability to think and act for ourselves. There were nine skills that he talked about which are necessary for us to hang in there when times are tough.

Dealing with our feelings, discovering our choices and taking one step at a time were three that stood out for me because it is our responsibility to be accountable for our actions.

If we are under pressure, doing what we know is right is the best way to keep ourselves out of trouble.

Although life is all about making mistakes and learning from them, we should try not to get caught up in a situation that we can regret for the rest of our lives. My fellow CedarBridge students enjoyed the workshop. This was shown by their participation and attentiveness. They were eager to answer questions and speak on the microphone.

Dr. Dyer gave us information which can help us to become leaders of our life and our world.