Peer pressure

Peer pressure can be hard to resist. Whatever your outlook or experience on drugs, staying true to yourself starts here.

"Join us!"

It's natural to want to fit in with friends. After all, nobody likes to stand out from the crowd for the wrong reasons. We want respect. We need to feel that we belong. Having mates we can rely on helps us build self-confidence and grow as individuals. Throw drugs into the mix, however, and it's easy to see how many of us are faced with a difficult dilemma.

"Oh go on..."

When it comes to drugs, it's hard to pass up an offer from friends without at least a few raised eyebrows. The fact is, nobody should have to justify a decision not to take recreational drugs. Whether you have a strong personal commitment to clean living, or just don't fancy it this time around, your choices are your business.

"What's the problem?"

Drug taking of any kind carries certain risks. There may be health problems in both the short and long term, and even legal consequences if you're unlucky enough to be caught by the law. What's more, every drug experience is different. You might well take steps to minimise such risks and have the time of your life, but no matter how certain you feel, there are no guarantees.

Know the facts

Finding out all about different drugs, from the effects to the risks involved, can help you to resist any pressure and make a sensible choice. As your understanding grows, so too will your confidence when it comes to making decisions you can stand by.

Know yourself

Think about what peer pressure means to you. Being made to feel like you need to get involved with drugs may seem like a form of wilful intimidation, but there's more to it than that. Psychologically, it's often a way for people you know to seek approval for their own behaviour. So do you really want to get involved to justify someone else's drug use?

Do the right thing

When it comes to drug decisions, be sure to take responsibility for your welfare first. Even if you're given a hard time from friends should you choose not to get involved, they'll rate the fact that you clearly know your own mind. It's better than just going for it because everyone says you should.