Teenagers nowadays want to have a sense of belongingness, importance and pride. But at times, some teenagers are being out-casted. Some cannot handle peer pressure and are tempted to turn into various dangerous vices like smoking, drinking and taking of illegal drugs to take away the pain they are suffering. After a while, it becomes a habit or addiction. These vices become their detour not to face the harsh realities that affect them.

Teenagers tend to share and listen to their close friends or peers rather than opening up to their parents or family. This sets in where teens thought they are gaining independence and making right decisions for themselves. It is a phase of life where there is pressure from their family or peers. It is a difficult stage for teens. They tend to join or befriend other teens where they feel belongingness or where they believe they have the same pressures. Unfortunately, some join groups or befriend other teens where dangerous vices exist. These are common in high school years.

Teenagers with low self esteem and find it hard to cope with peer pressure turn into drugs, pre-marital sex and alcohol. These vices are now very rampant. Unfortunately, a significant number of them are now addicted. On the other side, some are willing to undergo therapy or rehabilitation.

It is important that during these teenage years, initiative actions must take place at all times. Parents and true friends can come together to help teens suffering from dangerous vices. Friends can help, in a way, convince their peer teens undergoing in these hard times in redirecting their way of life. Parents of some of these teenagers play a vital role in motivating them, especially to their sons or daughters, to end their dangerous vices. They must be active in discussion groups that deal with addiction. Offer the opportunity for recovering teens to speak or talk about what they have gone through. This will be a vital and learning lesson for others. Their experiences will educate other teens about the effects of addiction. This in some way can be an initiative action against vices.