You've got the facts about drug and alcohol abuse. You've already decided you're never going to abuse. No one in your family has a problem. You live in a nice neighborhood so you're sure nobody you know is using illegal drugs or abusing alcohol.

So why should you worry about whether your community is drug-free? Isn't someone else taking care of that problem?

The truth is that almost nobody lives a life that is untouched by drugs or alcohol in some way. Drugs are present in every kind of neighborhood. The people who are using them are not going to call an anti-drug meeting at the high school gym. It's your community, and you, your friends, your parents, teachers, law enforcement officials, local medical professionals and community leaders who have the most to gain by working together to make your neighborhood a better place to live.

Let's take a look at how drug and alcohol abuse affects a neighborhood.

Remember drugs like marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin are illegal. If people in your neighborhood are using them, they are dealing with criminals who sell the drugs. That means those criminals are walking the same streets and school corridors as you.

If there are criminal drug dealers in your community and/or school, there is a greater chance that someone you know will develop a problem. It might even be you, a friend, or a member of your family.

While prescription and over-the-counter medications are not illegal, people who abuse these types of drugs sometimes resort to robbing pharmacies and stealing from stores to get drugs.

People who become addicted to drugs need money for them so badly that they may rob, or even murder to get the money. Or they may turn to prostitution to fund their drug habit. This causes health problems as well as moral issues, and even self-esteem for the addict.

Alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death in teenagers. It is also extremely dangerous to drive after using drugs because they impair judgment and coordination.

Almost 50 million people in America do not have health insurance. Costs for hospitalization due to alcoholism or addiction are a drain on local budgets.

Businesses tend to leave areas that are known for heavy drug use. The owners are afraid of getting robbed. New businesses don't move in. The result is ugly boarded-up storefronts.

Okay so you may be thinking, "It's up to the adults to straighten out these problems. Kids don't have to worry about it." You might be surprised to find out how much your voice can mean in the fight against drug and alcohol abuse.

The local area community coalition, Southwest Healthy Youth Partnership welcomes youth involvement. If you're asking yourself,

"What is a community coalition?" Coalitions are local partnerships between parents, teachers, young people, law enforcement, health providers, the faith community, business and civic leaders, elected officials and concerned citizens who unite to make the community safe, healthy and alcohol and drug free through education, advocacy and community action.

For more information, contact Renae Gaines, Community Coordinator at (206)396-2945 or rtgaines@seattleschools.org.