Seems like no matter where you go or what you're doing or what you're watching on TV or listening to on the radio there always seems to be a reference to "drinking" and they make it sound like you can't have fun without drinking. To those of you who are drinkers ~ good for you ~ but for those of us who are not drinkers, we can have fun too.
We don't need to have our body and mind "altered" to be able to have fun.

Why can't people feel safe and secure enough to say, "NO" to drinking when they are out with their peers and why can't their peers accept them when they say, "NO" instead of making fun of them.
It doesn't matter what time of the day it is or where you're at...references to drinking are everywhere  from HGTV to daytime shows to late night shows to even some news shows.

Isn't it enough that our youth (and people in general) have so many stresses and pressures in life that we have to add more pressure to them if they don't want to drink or "join in" when they go out?

I had friends growing up that did things that I didn't do but they had enough respect for me NOT to pressure me into doing it and I had enough respect for them not to judge and we are all still great friends today! They sometimes drink when we're together but they NEVER get out of hand and they are always respectful of those of us who DO NOT drink and vice-versa.

If you really want to be a true friend to others, accept them for who they are and what they stand for (as long as they're not hurting themselves or others) and don't make fun of them if they choose not to drink or smoke when they go out with the group and always make them feel included. If you want to HAVE a true friend first you have to BE a true friend. 

How would you feel if your pressuring them into drinking caused them to have an accident and they (God forbid) killed themselves or someone else while driving home? You can NEVER get a do-over and their blood will always be on your hands...so before you pressure and make fun of someone for not wanting to have a drink...try accepting them and their decision NOT to drink while still being their friend.