Did you know that more than 400,000 Americans die each year from smoking tobacco? Thanks to Deputy Rieder, learning about staying drug-free has been fun and exciting. Over the past 10 weeks, I have learned about many of the harmful effects of tobacco. If someone comes up to me, offers me a cigarette, and tells me everyone else is doing it, I know to say, "NO."

Tobacco can harm the brain, mouth, throat, lungs, heart, and liver. Smoking causes shortness of breath and dizziness and is illegal to anyone under the age of 18. However a national survey of the 8th graders showed that 11% of the students admitted they had smoked. There are more than 200 known poisons in tobacco. Cigarettes also contain nicotine, which is a very powerful and addictive substance, making it hard to quit once you have started.

One of the most important things I have learned is how to say "NO." There are at least eight different ways: say,'' no thanks," give a reason or excuse, repeat refusal, keep saying, “NO,'' or simply walk away. If none of those work, I could change the subject, avoid the situation, give the person the cold shoulder, or find strength in numbers. So if I ever get in an uncomfortable position like this, I know exactly what to do.

Although people may try to tell me that drugs won't hurt me, I'm not going to take any chances! I know that drugs, alcohol, and tobacco are dangerous. If I'm ever in a situation where people around me are using them, I know a number of ways to get out of it. Learning many different ways to say "NO" should prove very helpful to me in the coming years. Using drugs is something I would never do!

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