YOUTH

Making your own choices about drugs

People take drugs for many different reasons. Whatever the reason, if you decide to take drugs it should always be your choice to do so, and you should make that choice with the right information from a trusted and reliable source.

Sometimes you might find it hard not to take drugs if you are surrounded by others who are taking them and expect you to take drugs with them. After all, wanting to be part of a group and feeling like you belong is a natural part of being human.

People who expect you to take drugs with them can include older adults, friends and sometimes even parents and other family members, so it's important to be ready to manage pressure from various angles.

Saying ‘no’ and not taking drugs, when most people around you are taking them can be very hard – especially if it has been or is a part of your family life. But sometimes the easiest way to get out of that situation is to tell the truth, to simply say 'no'. When you make excuses, it can often create an opportunity for people to try and convince you by adding extra pressure. Simply saying ‘I don't want to’ is a pretty hard statement to debate.

It may help you to know that by saying 'no' you’re in the majority. Recent research has found that while some Australian teenagers do use illicit substances, the number has not increased.

Making your own choices - printable fact sheet (PDF 87 KB)