JUST SAY NO

Dear Editor:

"Just say no." Everyone hears those words every so often, whether it's
from a celebrity, teacher or a parent. Yet, there are still so many
teens using and abusing drugs, and it seems like little is being done
about it.

Saying no to drugs has been a message to teens for many years, yet it
feels like change has been minimal. Today it seems like the main thing
turning these teens toward drugs is the media.

The media today are so advanced, teens can get ideas for using drugs
virtually anywhere. There should be more being done to try and get
teens to stay away from drugs.

Some media depict teens using drugs as cool, and teens are then
pressured to use them. The truth should get out and these teens should
get the message that drugs can kill them.

That's why everyone, the schools, parents, and media have to work
harder and utilize every resource we have. If we work together we can
stop this problem before it gets worse.

"Just say no" won't work anymore because teens have heard it before.
It's time for a new approach. If teens hear anti-drug messages through
the media they know, maybe they will listen more closely.

Antonio Miceli,

Mississauga