Questioning the Purpose

For the past 2 years of my life I have been involved with a club at my school named S.T.A.R.S Peer Leaders. I have loved that group. It has kept me grounded and given me reason to conduct myself in a moral manner. We are a group of 14 who work on ways to cut the drug use down at our high school. I came into maturity of the real issue a few months ago.

My 10th grade year was simple, I knew very few people who were into the drug/party scene. I didn't think drugs were a big deal at HHS. Most everyone I knew still said that they were never going to do it.

My 11th Grade year was a bit more complicated. I became more aware of my surroundings. I knew that a few certain groups of my peers were occasional drinkers. I noticed that most of the parties were held at upperclassman homes. Most parties were not the type you see on movies either. The parents were home and knew what was going on, there wasn't ridiculously loud music playing, and the houses weren't huge. Pot also started coming into the scene.

This summer, I wanted to see what the scene was like, (if it had grown any, if something interesting had happened, etc.). I started hanging out with the party animals to see why they did it. My findings are quite simple:

Most teens see it as a new way to be with each other
Some do it for attention
Others do it because they like the risk of getting caught

There are a few more. Now as I sit as a Peer Leader going into my senior year of high school I ask myself, what is our real purpose? Why do we concentrate so much on drinking and drugs? Have I made an impact on a peers life? We break rules everyday, so why do we decide that to take a right stand means just to pledge that we won't drink or smoke some a little weed? I love the people in this group and I have loved being a part of it.

My viewpoint has changed to this: We (S.T.A.R.S) are here to educate the public. We are not here to condemn the public for the choices they make. We are a peer counciling group. We will help anyone in crisis or in need.