Moving from NY/NJ to a smaller state at 18 with new friends was a challenge for me. There was always pressure to drink and try drugs, but I assume that is anywhere you live in your late teen years. One teen friend I knew from AZ knew pressure all too well and started to drink at age 12 with friends and even family, but it finally caught up to her in 1998. Katherine and 3 other friends were driving on highway 87 the driver lost control and crashed.
2 out of 4 died including my friend who was not wearing a seatbelt. She was in the hospital with 90%of her body burned in which later she passed. I refused to go to the hospital (a mix of disappointment and sadness). During the investigation beer cans were found in the car and every passenger reached the legal limit. This story is true and affected me and taught me to teach juveniles not only not to drink underage,but never get into a car with anyone who has drank. There is all kinds of pressure out there as teens and younger,but you need to stand your ground and always realize there is a consequence to anything negative you do. We all may "try" things out of curiosity,but use your head and do not try anything to impress a friend because then they are not really looking out for "you".
--Courtney, Laveen