National Drug Facts Week was observed across the country recently. The campaign was started in 2010 by the National Institute on Drug Abuse to raise awareness about drug abuse among teens and shatter the myths about drugs and substance abuse.

According to NIDA, about a third of high school seniors report using an illicit drug sometime in the past year; more than 10 percent report non-medical use of potentially addictive prescription painkillers; and more than 20 percent report smoking marijuana in the past month.

Everyone is influenced by peers, both negatively and positively, at any age. As teens become more independent of their parents, peers naturally play a greater role in influencing their thoughts, feelings and actions. But sometimes, especially in emotional situations, peer influence can be hard to resist. It can become "pressure," and a person may feel forced to do something he or she is uncomfortable with.

The Whitehall-Coplay School District has been taking pro-active steps to help teens make good decisions and stay away from drugs and alcohol. Even though their National Drug Facts Week activities had to be rescheduled numerous times due to the bad weather days, they held events recently to educate the students about the true dangers of substance abuse.

At Whitehall High School, students created an art wall where they displayed posters they made showing how drugs can impact a young person's health. A clear message of "Live Healthy" was promoted throughout the week.

Students took a drug fact quiz, and an experiential activity was set up during the lunch period for students. Wearing goggles that simulated being under the influence of alcohol, the young people attempted to perform various physical activities that required basic functions. Students were surprised at how impaired their coordination became when working "under the influence." Approximately 50 students stopped by to try the simulation along with ten staff members.

Comments from participants included, "This makes things really difficult," "Is this what it is like being drunk?" and "I am never drinking and driving." The activity was educational, enjoyable and very enlightening.

The school district is offering the Strengthening Families Program this spring for young teens and their parents Youth in grades 5 to 8 learn how to resist peer pressure while parents become familiar with strategies that really work with teenagers to give them independence and keep them safe at the same time. The program is provided through a partnership between Penn State Extension and Valley Youth House.