Facts into action.

• Position: HEADS UP REAL NEWS ABOUT DRUGS AND YOUR BODY: A Message from Scholastic and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA

Knowing the facts about drugs can help you make smart decisions, but sometimes it's hard to make the right choices under pressure. Read on for tips that will help you make smart moves when it comes to drugs.

SCENE #1:

You are hanging out with your best friend, checking out each other's Web pages. Your friend says, "Wanna try some of my mom's painkillers? It'd be fun." You are surprised and stop what you're doing. "It's not like the meds are illegal. My mom's doctor gave them to her. They're safe, for sure," your friend says.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

REALITY CHECK!

Your friend seems to believe the myth that prescription drugs are safer to abuse than illegal ones. Not! Prescription drugs such as painkillers or ADHD medications, when taken as prescribed by a physician, make a huge positive difference in the lives of millions, but that doesn't mean they are safe to abuse. When used for nonmedical reasons or not as prescribed--such as to get high, relieve tension, or just to experiment--these drugs can lead to addiction. But it's not only addiction that a person risks when abusing prescription painkillers. For example, a single, large dose of painkillers can cause your breathing to slow to dangerous levels.

TIME OUT

You can't believe your friend is asking you to do this! You know the facts, but then again, you totally trust your friend and feel like maybe it would be OK, even fun. This is your BFF. You do everything together. What would happen if you said "no"? Will your friend stop hanging out with you? Wouldn't it be OK to try it just once? How can you get out of this situation without it becoming a big deal?

NOW WHAT?

Tell it like it is. Since this is your BFF, lay it on the line and let your friend know where you are coming from. "That's not for me. Let's just hang out."

Be cool and change the subject. Coming up with another activity can distract people. "I don't really feel like it. Anyway, there's this cool new phone app that lets you add cat pics to photos. Want to download it?"

Give an excuse. It's OK to make an excuse when you are on the spot. "I have to leave soon for dinner."

SCENE #2:

It's Friday night and you're hanging with friends at a party. The tunes are blaring. Someone nudges you and another friend: "I have some weed if anyone feels like getting high." One girl responds, "Sure. I'm definitely in. It's not like you can get addicted to it."

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

REALITY CHECK!

TISNT! Looks like this girl mistakenly believes that...