This page is established for young people to connect to safe links for school research projects, games, and information concerning juvenile laws as well as various other resources. These links challenge young people to utilize their decision-making skills by having them enact scenarios that may or may not have occurred within their school. Young people can send an e-mail message directly to one of the San Francisco Police Department's School Resource Officers at SRO2000 . They will receive a response from the (SRO) within forty-eight hours of us having received their message. The page is also intended to keep youth up to date on city and state youth conferences and workshops.

Don't Lose a Friend to Drugs

• Increased interest in alcohol or other drugs--talking about them, talking about buying them
• Owning drug paraphernalia such as pipes, hypodermic needles, or rolling papers
• Having large amounts of cash or always being low on cash
• Drastic increase or decrease in weight
• Slurred or incoherent speech
• Withdrawal from others, frequent lying, depression, paranoia
• Dropping out of school activities

If your friend shows similar signs or behaviors it does not guarantee that he or she has an alcohol or other drug problem. You need to compare their behavior now to their behavior in the past. But it's better to say something and be wrong than to say nothing and find out later that you were right to be worried.

• Plan ahead what you want to say and how you want to say it
• Pick a quiet and private time to talk
• Don't try to talk about the problem when your friend is drunk or high
• Use a calm voice and don't get into an argument
• Let your friend know that you care

Remember, it's not your job to get people to stop using drugs. Only they can decide to stop. Look for help. Talk about the situation with someone who knows about drug abuse and helping abusers.

• Skip parties where you know there will be alcohol or other drugs
• Hang out with friends who don't need alcohol or other drugs to have fun
• Get involved in drug-free activities. Be creative and ask your friends to join.
• Remind friends that buying or possessing illegal drugs is against the law. Penalties for drug-related offenses are harsh, and can include loss of benefits like student loans.
• Remind friends that using intravenous drugs places them at risk of getting AIDS.

Take a Stand!

• Organize drug-free activities (dances, movies, community service projects, walk-a-thons or marathons, etc.) to raise money for charities.
• Use plays, songs, and raps to show younger children the consequences of drug abuse.
• Organize an anti-drug rally.
• Tell the police, teacher, or parent about drug dealers in your school and community. Many areas have phone numbers to let people report these crimes anonymously.
• If your school doesn't have an alcohol or other drug abuse prevention program, start one.
• Check recreation centers, youth clubs, libraries, or schools to see if they offer after-school activities -- tutoring, sports, study time, craft classes. What about a community improvement project that young people can design and carry out?

  Here are key questions that young people should ask themselves prior to making a decision: (Six step process)

1. Is this a risky situation?
2. Am I being pressured?
3. How would my parents feel about this?
4. Is this consistent with my values?
5. What effect will this have on my future?
6. What other choices do I have?

Remember: equality, self-control, promise-keeping, responsibility, respect, honesty and social justice are all very important values in establishing positive relationships with others.