The Peer Leaders of Hawthorne High School were exposed to another side of substance abuse when speakers from the anti-drug and alcohol abuse organization ‘Steered Straight’ paid students a visit on November 11.

Steered Straight is an organization dedicated to delivering positive, engaging messages to students regarding the dangers and subsequent consequences of drug and alcohol abuse. Speakers are all ex-offenders who share their stories in hope of providing insight into the risks of substance abuse and affirming student’s dedication to being drug and alcohol free.

Having already demonstrated their leadership capabilities with their experiences in the Peer Leaders program, these students were chosen to attend the assembly in the hopes of keeping their focus driven on personal and academic success.

Steered Straight speakers John Fuqua and Allison Amour shared how drugs and alcohol had personally impacted their lives. Fuqua spoke to students about his life so far, specifically how drug and alcohol abuse had strongly impacted his childhood. Fuqua grew up in a household where drug and alcohol abuse were the norm. As a child he was forced to watch his older sister steadily slip into similar habits, and even later his best friend passing away from substance abuse.

Fuqua stressed the importance of the phrase, “Friends Don’t Let Friends Do Drugs.” He admitted the overwhelming guilt he still feels in his own life from not speaking up loud enough for the people he loves.

Amour also presented her experiences with drug and alcohol abuse, illustrating a much different lifestyle that still fell into the grasp of abuse. Amour explained while growing up she always felt an immense pressure to be perfect. As she grew older and accumulated more and more life experiences, many tragic, these pressures only mounted and Amour began to find refuge within the realm of drug and alcohol usage. Eventually these inclinations grew to impulse, then addiction and eventually led her to commit manslaughter when she accidentally hit a man while driving under the influence of heroin.

Amour explained how at first glance many students would consider her to be a typical young adult. Yet her story of pressure and abuse was disturbingly relatable to many current students, who connect to the same struggles that Amour possessed. She stressed to students, especially to those whom her tale resonated with, to stay away from drugs and to instead speak up about the issues they are facing.

Junior Mina DiFilippo commented, “It was an eye opening presentation because the speakers were so relatable.” Peer Leaders Advisor Matthew Corvo reflected, “I believe Steered Straight’s message resonates with our students because we sometimes do not think of how consequences of a few poor decisions can impact our lives.  The presenters made that point very clear through  stories that were heartbreaking but important to hear.  It was also important that the two presenters are from very different walks of life, giving us examples of how substance abuse is a universal issue.”

The organization’s website states, “Essentially, the Steered Straight message is simple: The choices we make have a profound impact on the rest of our lives. For better or worse, every decision has a consequence.” For students at Hawthorne High School the importance of this matter was made clear through this presentation.