A challenge for teens to think for themselves.

Byline: STRAIGHT STUFF By Jerry Gjesvold For The Register-Guard

Dear teens:

We know you've been offered alcohol and drugs all through high school. Some of it we know about. Much we don't. Still, that's nothing like the pressure you're going to get during the next few weeks. Proms and graduations are known for it.

Some night, someone who has been drinking may ask you to ride with them. Or you're going to be the one driving and someone may offer you something you're better off not drinking, smoking or taking.

Of course, you know we want you to say "no." We've said it before - maybe not enough. But that moment will be challenging.

One voice might whisper that you'll be accepted if you just say "yes." Another might tell you nothing will happen - everybody does it. Still another might say it will be fun, or exciting.

We know about those voices, by the way. We heard them, too - still do, sometimes. Some of us said "yes" to them. Most of us were lucky. But some died. Some were disabled for life. Others now live with the responsibility for that happening to someone else.

We know that what we're asking you to do is hard. But before you say "yes," please think. Think for 10 seconds. Maybe 15. Not a long time.

Think about your options. Ride with another friend who's not drinking. Call a taxi. Or just one call to us, and we're there. No questions asked.

There are so many ways to do this that don't involve taking a chance with your life, or your future, or someone else's. You have options.

Maybe the biggest reason that what we're asking is hard is that it involves a risk that scares everybody: being different. It means doing things your own way. But that's exactly what it means to be an original - to think for yourself.

Being truly creative means thinking through all your options with an open mind and choosing the best one for you. It means not blindly following others. Sometimes, it's easy. Sometimes, it's really hard.

These words might be making you uneasy. We don't mean to preach. But will you ask yourself what you're anxious about? We could guess. Maybe you feel like we don't trust you. Maybe you feel like what we're asking is too hard. Maybe you wonder why we keep asking you to do things that will cause you to feel separated from your friends.

Well, we do trust you. That's why we're letting you, the most important thing in our lives, out the door at all. We do believe you can withstand the pressure, if you give yourself time to think and don't place yourself in situations where it's easier to fail.

And as corny as it may sound, we know that the people who really care about you - in other words, your true friends - want what's best for you.

We don't often tell you that one of the best parts about being young is the way you can see closed minds, fear or weakness in adults. You help keep us honest. All we're asking is that when you go out with your friends in the next few weeks, keep using those same abilities.

Be strong. Be original. Be one of those individuals who really think for themselves. We want you home - safe.

The opinions expressed in this column are those of the writer. As Serenity Lane's statewide coordinator of employer services, Jerry Gjesvold helps companies across Oregon create and manage their drug-free workplace policies and programs. More information is available on the Serenity Lane Web site at www.serenitylane.org.