An issue of personal, local, and national concern that I would like to focus in this paper is drugs. There are many reasons why I find drugs to be an issue of great importance to me.

First, drugs is a personal issue to me. For most of my life, I have been living in places where drugs have surrounded me. For the past ten years, I have been living in the Duncan Projects in Jersey City, where the temptation of selling, buying, or even using drugs seems to be growing every day. Every day I see older people and even young kids engaging in the act of buying, selling, and using drugs. I ask myself why do people get involved in drugs; is it because of a financial need? Sometimes people believe that having a lot of money makes them a success, but they are wrong. People also believe that drugs can make their problems go away, but their problems only get worse.

Drugs also surround our schools. Every day I see many students smoking marijuana during their lunch. Most of them think that smoking makes them look cool, and some do it to fit in with their peers. Drugs only prevent them from learning, from doing well in sports, and from getting along with their classmates.

The most frightening and disturbing thing of all is the realization that drugs are available worldwide, and if we don’t get involved in doing something about this problem, drugs are going to be the destruction of future generations.

I believe that if parents take time to sit down and talk to their children about the consequences of using drugs, children would be more aware. Children would know what to do if someone tries to make them buy, sell, or use drugs. Parents should also take the time to tell their children that they love them. Sometimes just those “four letters” can prevent a child from doing something that he or she will be lucky to live to regret. Parents have to show concern for their children and frequently discuss things with them. Showing concern makes the children feel confident about approaching their parents with any personal problem. Children who feel comfortable speaking to their parents about any problem, usually make the right decision.

In conclusion, even though I grew up living in places surrounded by drugs, this situation did not prevent me from being successful and realizing my goals. Although my mother did not know how to read or write, she always encouraged me to take my education seriously. Most importantly of all, she always showed that she loved me. When I thought that I wouldn’t be able to succeed, my mother was always there to help and guide me on the right path. I would like to re emphasize the importance of parents taking time daily to communicate to their children the dangers of drugs. This may prove to be “the factor” in determining the success or failure of their own flesh and blood.

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