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Show Choosing Utah's First Ladies mf . v for Drug-Fiee Youth Natural High w by Darol Wagstaff former professional freestyle skiier Utah's women leaders are waging war ation for Drug-ree Youth and was As a teenager I seemed to be one of a Z on drug and alcohol abuse among formed in cooperation with the Utah those lucky people who had everything Utah'syouth.Nearly300women Dms.on of Alcoholism and Dnigs. going for them. I was musically talented, leaders have joined First kdy Colleen Utah s First Ud.es recognize the 8 A w ' Bangerter in forming "Utah s First danger of drug and alcohol taJndi- J t thee of seventeen, I bega?. Ladies for DrugpFree Youth." Members viduals families and society as a whole kji professnallyand quicklybeame include wives of state leaders and are weakened and destroyed by drug ch i(n the congressional delegation as well as dependencies. The group will focus ort ciitterinR facade was a harsh ugly women who seiveas, or are married to, iymm reality. Alcohol, marijuana, hashish, Supreme Court justices, legislators which Colleen Bangerter sees as cost- cocaine and LSD were a necessary part mayors and county commissioners. The effective in both human and financial rf ,ife wenj responsi51e for roy group is affiliated with the Utah Feder- terms. , happiness, and I pitied people who lived without drugs "They dont know what " ' MBttiii8tifliTif i I My skiing success continued, but it v - . didn't always bring the happiness I I m ' , m expected. I was often depressed and dis- T "ITnTKT rt TinirT-RTOi T.ifO couraged. The highs that came from the 4. MYTH: Drinking brings me "up." After a JVXllV VA JJV JTIVW 1X117 drugs were temporary, leaving me couple of drinks, I'm the life of the party. by Danen Stuart physically and emotionally empty. More FACT: At first you may be lively, but alcohol j gu Scnool SeniorGovernor's and more 1 felt like an outsider- My really slows your brain down. First your judge- Youth Council on Alcohol friends were stealing to support their ment goes, tiien your memory, reason and self- . and Drugs drug habits, and I was questioning the control. . . use of drugs altogether. ' While still in a state of mental As a teenager, I see today's culture as experiencing negative feelings toward jte Jjgjj one that strives to find instant solutions themselves. Lifeisnl always going to be SLnS srTir ,ives ' SliSSL iSZSS filled with contentment and happiness. mrVmm day I went running and felt the exhUara- When sadness and hardships confront than makes up for the hard times. ' . . . knowine TOUw at us,weoftenseekwaystoescape.Rather Other ways I Ve seen drugs effect my rE-S lS5th than view our problems as opportunities peers is in their education. They begin to KS andSe worid IwitoSS for our own personal growth, we choose feel inadequate and to experience a lack myDooyan(itneworia.iwasitaiiy the easy and well traveled paths of dull- of interest. This can make a student feel . . . . . , AYnpripnfw1 in ing the pain through the use of drugs or that dropping out of school is the only TSSSSSm alcohol. While at first it maybe an effec- solution. Later, this lack of education SUSikSISiir tiveescaritcantakecontrolofone's 2" -ab life Soon tiie solutions the prob em only in jobs buti "If fseW. smoldng once and for all. Having smoked Many of us teenagers just want to find Drugs not only act as a temporaiy . . 6 . . , four vears I out who we are. Unfortunately, some of escape from a person's problems, but a& Kite anw usturntodrugsinsteadofhuman drugs also take thejoy, happiness and SXffiH relationships in this search. Like many other good things in life away. Fortu- " SSlniXSS , teenagers, I have seen peers from school nately, there is an alternative open to TklS&liMffiSdl " C-J)P 2, and the nity let this escape &dtZTJZS!m' SiSSSSSZm, I'f through drugs turn into a real problem. bihty of leading us to the joy and fulfill- . . . schedule of I' S Socialusersviewgetting"high"asa ment that we all want. It means con- rSnaKuSttSSkand S jf people substitute. Kids using drugs fronting the problem, analyzing it and KeSMS UrftfVlV-X experience depression, anxiety and solving it It means taking control of your SJSSSllSS MVlCm ) despair. They feel alienated, lonely and Itt V$LA JiW V 1 1 often have a feeling of non-acceptance. For me, this leaves time for the ... , . . rnmnlpte JXa CSSA fmd themselves unable to 'natural highs skiing' hiking and tonaround8 from mtSSZ SfeTn rrXtfA "" communicate with others and unable to swimming, and sharing these times with Jn ? , 1 irff keepintouchwiththeiremotions.I friends. It is for these reasons, and more, r. otiyi n (httJM rJi I dont understand why people would want that I am so glad I live a drug-free life. JJJ 'J "biSay UmTI iy I to remain on drugs if they are always The actual turning point for me was vLj what I like to call an "elevation of r I spirit." As I raised my mind to a higher level, my life was able to follow. I still ski jCr and do promotional work for ski clothing companies and magazines. I have a wife c in , u it 4. j - and family, a motivational speaking busi- 5. MYTH: Alcohol s not a drug. ness and anUhe author of the book FACT: Alcohol is a drug. The number one drug Natural High. But most of my time is problem in the nation is alcohol abuse. For dedicated to promoting a drug and every one heroin addict in America, there are alcohol-free society. If you or someone thirty alcoholics. you know has a drug or alcohol abuse problem, I hope you 11 find the strength to put your unwanted habits away and enjoy a life of peak performance, second - wind, lasting happiness and natural highs. |