SISTER WAS

I grew up with my best friend, she was just like a sister to me. She wasa little older than me. I looked up to her. If ever I had aproblem, she was always close enough to help me out. She had a grandpersonality and a good outlook on life. My most treasuredmemories, are the ones of her and I together.

It wasn't until the spring of '87' that I noticed a change in her. Shewas quick to anger, and her attitude was poor. This was not likeher at all. I asked her many times what was wrong. Her response eachtime was, "I'm fine".

As time went on, she became more bitter, and became a person I did notknow anymore. All I wanted was to help her. Every timeI tried, she would get defensive, and say she was fine.

I felt so helpless, so alone, I was losing her and I didn't know why.This seemed to be a question, I would not get an answer to.

The summer of '88', I finally got my answer. My sister had changed do tothe effects of drugs. My mother tearfully put her armsaround me, and told me my best friend had died do to an over-dose. Well,for a minute my world stood still, along with my heart.There was nothing to say or do, just tears among the silence.

Yes my sister was a good kid, a good kid that made a mistake.I spent that whole summer trying to figure out why I didn't pick up onwhat was going on. Thinking over and over again, if only Ihad taken the time to notice the signs. Maybe I could have saved her.

My mother, seeing my distress sat me down, and told me this.

Some things are not in our control. Sometimes 'signs' aren't enough. Youcan't blame yourself for the path your friend chose. Whatyou can do is learn from her mistake, volunteer at school fordrug-prevention, let other children know what happened to yourfriend, and how it made you feel. It makes sense doesn't it? Preventionwith education.

She's right, it does make sense. Since then I've never once blamed myselffor her death. Instead I volunteer my time to SADD andDARE. Each year, at an assembly I tell new students what happened andthe danger of drugs. Making sense with, 'Preventionwith Education'.