THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, March 24, 1995 TAG: 9503230154
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 17 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Medium: 63 lines
Chesapeake high schools and Families United Against Drugs regularly recognize students who are dedicated to a drug-free lifestyle and are fulfilling their potential. A student from a different school is featured every month and is selected by the school.
Amy P. Mosier, a 17-year-old senior at Deep Creek High School, is active in the Students Against Drunk Driving, the Key Club and Home Economics Related Occupations.
Q. Part of the criteria for being highlighted by this program is that you must be drug-free for at least two years. Have you always been drug-free?
A. Yes, I have always led a drug-free life. I believe that you can have fun without being drunk or high. I think that using drugs and alcohol is stupid and can get you in a lot of trouble. When you are using drugs, you don't realize what is going on around you.
Q. Many, many teens dabble in drugs and alcohol. If you could design a program to encourage them to get off drugs or to never try them in the first place, what would you do?
A. There are many programs today that encourage teens not to use drugs, but with all the negative peer pressure, teens do not join them. If there were more positive peer pressure, more teens would join these programs. If I could design a program for teens, I would have it led by someone who has had a drug or alcohol problem and has recovered from it. I feel that only real-life stories can help teens figure out the real dangers of drugs and alcohol.
Q. Some politicians have suggested legalizing drugs as a way to curb abuse. Do you think legalization would increase or decrease drug use among teens? Why?
A. If the government were to legalize drugs, there would be an increase in the drug problem. By legalizing drugs, the government would be sending a message saying drug use is fine. Then, more people would start using and abusing.
Q. Do you face a lot of negative peer pressure because of your outspoken stand against drugs and alcohol? If so, how do you handle it without looking like a goody-goody?
A. I don't face a lot of negative peer pressure for my stand against drugs and alcohol because most of my friends agree with me. I think that what I believe is the most important thing; and if people don't agree with me, then they don't.
Q. What, if anything, do you say to friends or classmates who do use drugs?
A. My friends and classmates who do use drugs do not talk about them with me that often. When they do, I tell them of the dangers and then listen to what they have to say.
Q. How serious do you think the drug problem is in this area?
A. The drug problem in this area is serious. Every day I go to school I hear people talk about the different drugs they are using. Every time I go out at night, a drunk person usually walks by. We always hear on the news about drug busts or people in drunken-driving accidents.
Q. What are you plans for the future?
A. After graduating from high school, I plan to go to college and study to become a special education teacher. ILLUSTRATION: Mosier by CNB