Mini-Stories from Teens
Brief stories of change from teens who have been there — and are on their way to a better future.
Teen Voices
"I was a vicious, malicious, frail tweeker with a BADDDDD attitude. I had so many problems that I didn't want to admit to, see, or — least of all — talk about. With time I began to understand how to recognize and accept my past and present in a healthy safe manner. I know that being able to talk about my past and see how it connects to my life now is one of the most important tools I have gained."
—Alexa, 18, Portland, OR
"I was heading down a path of drug dealing and gang involvement. It was difficult to avoid drugs and gangs growing up. I was totally out of control and heading down a dangerous path...Getting caught was the best thing that could have happened to me. The first six months were really hard. I had to break ties with my friends and even some of my relatives. I learned to believe in myself and knew I could change the direction that my life was going through the love and support of my parents. I was able to turn my life around, but it wasn't easy."
—Elliott, Marquette, MI
"When I was 15, I started doing meth. By the time I was 16, I was using meth every day...It was normal for me to disappear for long periods of time...My use got heavier than ever before. I was becoming a zombie. This time I could no longer close my eyes to what was going on around me. I called my caseworker and told her I was ready...It has taken me a long time to get over some of the things that have happened to me...As I look back over my journey, which is not over, I think about all the youth in treatment who aren't as lucky"
—Tiffiney, 19, Portland, OR
"When I was 10 years old my Mom died. And then a few months after that, when I was 11, I had to stay with my grandparents for a year. And that's about when I started using drugs… The next year, by the time I was 12, I was into harder drugs: poppin' pills and stuff. I turned into an alcoholic. By the time I was 14, I was into crack cocaine and I wanted to get off of it and I didn't really know how to do it. So one day I decided to stop that. And after getting busted I got into the drug court program and I started counseling and since then I've been getting clean."
—Jesse, Dayton, OH
"When I first got into the court system I hated everything about it. Now that I'm older and better, I appreciate everyone for helping me and being able to let them in my life. I joined Project Weave with a thumbs up from the judge. I got attached and knew that this program was teaching me more than anything how to bring myself somewhere in life and become someone to help others choose to have a substance-free lifestyle."
—Amber, 18, Marquette, MI
"I just want to get off probation. I was off once. But I just kept smoking weed and now I'm ready to quit. It's been four years. I want to get everybody out of my business and get on with my own business."
—Amber, 16, Seattle, WA
"I feel like marijuana wasn't helping me for the simple fact that all it was doing was leading me into trouble: bad friends, court, tickets, all that man. I just realized that it wasn't for me no more."
—Rickol, 18, Dayton, OH
"They sent me to treatment. Helped me to get hooked up with people that are going to help me to change my life, help me get into a house that is structured, help me find a job and stay in school. And hook me up with good people that are going to help me instead of just going to jail where I'm going to get in more trouble."
—Olivia, Seattle, WA
"I look at myself and like who I am. I don't use drugs any more. I feel smarter. I respect myself."
—Cheyenne, 15, Dayton, OH
"Right now, I feel pretty good about my life, you know. I'd like to stay on track, finish out this school year, you know, and go to college. And hopefully graduate and get a good job."
—Andrew, KY
