People like to fit in. It's part of who we are and life is better when we can work positively together in groups. So feeling pressure from peers to do what they are doing is a natural feeling.

Sometimes though, the things that our friends are doing or want us to do aren't in our own best interest or go against what we know is right. Making the best choices for yourself is the right thing to do.

When it comes to using drugs and alcohol, peer pressure is the number one cause of youth substance abuse.

Dealing with Peer Pressure

• Avoid putting yourself in situations that make you feel uncomfortable. For example, stay away from situations where you know kids are going to be drinking or doing drugs.
  
  
• Choose your friends wisely. If you hang around with people who share your values, chances are you'll never be asked to do something you don't want to do.
  
  
• Think about the consequences whenever you are asked to do something you are not sure about. Stop for a moment and ask: Will this activity get me in trouble? Will it be harmful to my health?
  
  
• Be true to yourself. Think about the reasons why you are considering doing something you are uncomfortable with. Is it to gain popularity? Although there is nothing wrong with wanting to be popular, there are right ways and wrong ways to achieve it. If you change your behavior just to fit in with a particular group, you are not being true to yourself.
  
  
• Learn how to say no. This is perhaps the most difficult thing in the world for many people to do, but it is an essential skill if you are to successfully fend off negative peer pressure. There are many ways to say no, some of them subtle and some of them a little more "in your face." Several examples are: "You see it your way. I see it my way." "If you are really a friend, then back off." "You must think I'm pretty dumb to fall for that one."

Creating Positive Peer Pressure

You can create positive peer pressure by:

• volunteering with groups that educate other youth about the dangers of substance abuse.
• setting a good example. Show your peers that you can have fun and live life without drugs and alcohol.
• Learn how media affects decisions about drugs and alcohol and try to promote media that shows positive choices being made.