Hello. As a member of the Wut up Wit Dat? Teen Coalition, I have made a commitment to be drug and alcohol free and to encourage my peers to do the same.

This week is Red Ribbon week, which is celebrated nationally during the last week of October.  The tradition began in 1988 in memory of federal Drug Enforcement Agency agent, Kiki Camarena, who died in the struggle against drug trafficking and abuse. After his death, hundreds of people pledged to lead drug-free lives to honor the sacrifices made by Camarena. They wore red ribbons as a symbol of this commitment.

Rebecca Velazquez is a senior at Vicksburg High School and is a member of the Wut up Wit Dat? Teen Coalition for a Drug Free Warren County.

One drug that is a growing problem in our community among teens is marijuana. The reality is that marijuana is available on our local streets. So parents, you may not know it, but your own teen may be using marijuana behind your back. Several things can be done in order to stop the expansion of marijuana to teens.

Parents, you can take the first step and start getting more involved in your children’s lives. Start talking to them more and more about drugs, especially alcohol and marijuana. Parents really can make a difference in their children’s lives. Do not be the type of parent who accepts underage drinking and experimentation with drugs as a “rite of passage.” Two-thirds of teens from ages 13-18 say losing their parents’ respect is one of the main reasons they don’t smoke marijuana or use any other drug.

Aside from losing parents’ respect, teens could lose their friends’ respect because most teens do not want to be seen with someone who smokes pot.  Remember the old saying, “Birds of a feather flock together.”

Tell your kids that marijuana is in fact a dangerous drug and share with them facts about the dangers of using marijuana: First, it affects your brain by causing memory loss. If you can’t remember what your Spanish teacher said in class today, how are you going to remember important things like dates for job interviews or that latte for your boss? It also affects your self-control. If you get mad and yell at your parents and end up getting grounded, it means no homecoming dance for you! 

Marijuana affects your body’s ability to fight off infections; therefore you would have to visit your doctor more times than usual. It also affects your coordination and slows your reaction time. So, instead of having cat-like reflexes, you would have snail-like reflexes, which are not good if you are playing sports, driving a car, or fighting off an attacker. 

Parents, tell your teen facts like these to get them off the idea that marijuana is all right to do. Also tell them that, in fact, most teens are not smoking marijuana. Teens are under the wrong impression because of the music they hear and the “reality” television shows they watch. I am not saying to take complete control over your teen’s life; I am just saying parents have the most influence over their teens.

For information on how to talk to your teen about drugs or to get involved with making Vicksburg a drug-free community, please visit the Make A Promise Coalition Web site at www.drugfreevickburg.org.