What a Rush!

Everyone told me that I should try it – that I would love it and it would give me such a rush. I was scared, but I am curious by nature – and a serious risk-taker -- and I knew I would probably love it once I got my feet wet. So I did it:  I swam with sharks! (I bet you thought I was going to say drugs, huh?!)

It was one of the most exciting and thrilling experiences of my life. I have always been incredibly terrified of sharks and I finally overcame this fear by standing in the ocean off a beach in the Bahamas, holding dead fish and luring 10 reef sharks to come circle around me. I’d first had some training by an instructor and signed a release that I would participate at my own risk -- and I’ll always be happy that I took that chance.

My Childhood

I grew up in an apartment in New York City until I was about 9 years old and then my family and I moved to a quiet house on Long Island.  I later learned that our apartment was right above a drug ring. We often witnessed up to five arrests a day in our building -- as well as troublemakers huddling on our corner and outside our building or sitting in the back of a squad car.

I often wonder what kind of person I would have been, had we stayed and I had grown up in these surroundings… 

Don’t Mess with Me

But here’s the thing: I am very strong-willed. I voice my opinions and can be a smart-mouth at times. So frankly, I doubt I would have been influenced by anyone but myself -- wherever I grew up. 

I’m grateful that both my parents were open and honest with me whenever I asked questions . They dolled out lots of factual information regarding health issues and drugs, which I found really helpful. Despite my curious personality, their love, guidance, attention and support squashed any desires I might have had to drink or try drugs.

Another deterrent was the medical journals my father brought home (he’s a physician’s assistant). They were packed with disturbing images that showed the effects of cigarettes, drugs and alcohol on the body. These images were often conversation starters and definitely helped drive home the point.

Tests Outside of the Classroom

One day during my freshman year of high school, while hanging out at a friend’s house, I noticed that one by one my friends got up to go outside. I could see through the sliding doors that they all were sitting in a small cluster, and I thought I saw smoke.  I turned to my friend and asked what was up -- she said they were smoking pot! “Pots, pans, what?” to which my friend responded, “You know, grass?” So, needless to say I was a bit naïve and I didn’t know the lingo too well.

My friends asked me to join the circle, but I declined. I had joined the cross country team and was working hard toward varsity status, not to mention the number one rank on the team.  Nonetheless, I never judged my friends, and they never judged me except to sometimes tease that I was a “goodie-goodie.”  The peer pressure always kicked in but then again so did my attitude, and that’s when they backed off.

The College Experience

College has been a whole new experience; I was away from home and I didn’t have Mom or Dad looking over my shoulder. Instead of continuing with track, I became involved in other activities at school. Track was a big part of my life in high school, and I knew I had to fill the void with other activities – the more active I am, the happier I am.  I went out for Class Senate, and got elected as one of the five officers in my class.  I also landed a role as one of the main dancers in a modern-day production of “Julius Caesar”. 

Even in the midst of my busy schedule I found time to make new friends and we often attended campus parties.  I never really cared for drinking beer and that’s what a lot of people drink in college. When I was offered a can by my friends, I easily said no while they looked at me as if I had three heads. They soon realized that I can still be the life of a party without drinking or doing drugs. The first time I was offered pot in college was in my best friend’s room -- the peer pressure was laid on really thick -- but I managed to distract them by offering to order pizza instead.

I’ve now made it to through my junior year and am involved in a number of organizations at school -- from the Community Standards Review Board to the Promising Students Society to the Latino Society. I’ve also faced many more situations involving drugs and alcohol. And I’ve consistently stayed away.  I can honestly say that I am proud of who I am and the choices I’ve make -- I won’t let drugs define me. 

Doing drugs often correlates with “being cool”, but being drug-free is so much more than cool; it’s self assurance, pride, focus, ambition and whatever it means to be you.

A Natural High

I try to fill my life with activities that give me excitement in ways drugs never could. Besides swimming with sharks, I love snowboarding, whitewater rafting and am soon going skydiving with the X-treme sports club. Early in the semester I helped Habitat for Humanity raise more than $6000 to help build homes for the homeless.  We also sent more than 4000 letters in a letter writing campaign to help raise money for St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital. I have also been a part of “The Vagina Monologues” for three consecutive years to raise funds to help domestically abused woman around the world. I am currently an intern at the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, which gives me the opportunity to learn so much about the drug issue and help make a difference.