By Shamaria Coaxum

7th Grade, Cario Middle School

Drugs are sold everywhere

But people seem not to care.

About the destruction it causes

That can happen anywhere.

Drugs are sold everywhere.

But people seem not to care

About the people drugs hurt

And the lives that end everywhere.

People can make a stand.

They can stand for what’s right.

They can stop using drugs

And maybe be alright.

But for now you can start by just saying NO

To drugs…and the hurt

And the sorrow that you’ll sow.

The Dark Road Too Often Taken

By Jennie Schaaf  

7th Grade , Cario Middle School

Those excited minutes of joy are gone,

Black-cloaked years on a dark road ahead.

The empty bottles craving refilling

Until they are as much need as life itself.

Family and friends shaking heads and turning back

Finding their case a hopeless cause.

Confidence and dignity are things of the past,

Fading ever quietly and now a mere ghost.

The prized sparkling eyes are lifeless,

Slipping into the shadows and now never seen.

Thoughts and decisions become a struggle

All from that first “harmless” high.