Young people need to fit into their peer group. They want to be one of the crowd, accepted by their mates, and can´t bear the thought of being alienated or out on a limb. This drags along negative elements - they are led into doing things they know are wrong; or they do things off their own back simply out of bravado and a desire to impress. Put in black and white this doesn´t sound very complimentary, but don´t worry, its in all of us. Many adults never get beyond this, even though they may cover it up in various ways. And, in fact, peer pressure can be used in a positive way. If a small group of people have the courage to swim against the tide, then often others, who have not had the courage to do it before, join them. Also, if one or two people find the confidence to say how they are really feeling, and what they really want, then others realise they are not alone, and gain confidence to be themselves. Often it is media pressure or sales and advertising pressure which establish a fictional ´norm´, which is, in fact, far from the truth of the matter. What is sad is that some who believe in this false norm, ruin their lives and mangle their personality to fit in with it. In this measure, young people are exploited. Have the confidence to be yourself. You are a valid person as who you are. There are groups particularly aimed at helping young people gain this confidence. For more information see TEENEX peer education drug prevention project.