JUST SAY... turning down drugs doesn't have to be awkward

Turning down drugs – especially if you’re at a party or hanging out with friends – can be a little awkward and uncomfortable even for the most confident people.

You know that you really don’t want to do drugs. But just saying “NO” to your buddies can be difficult.

So, without further ado, here are eight honest and anxiety-free ways to say “no” and still keep your cool:

“NO, I’M GOOD.” (AND THEN GET REALLY INVOLVED IN YOUR IPHONE)

Hopefully, the asker isn’t too pushy.

OR: PRETEND YOU DID NOT HEAR THEM AND THEN WALK AWAY (WHILE WALKING AWAY, YOU MAY ALSO WANT TO STARE AT YOUR PHONE OR HEAD TO THE BATHROOM TO AVOID AWKWARDNESS).

Again, hopefully the asker will get the point.

“NO THANKS. I’M REALLY NOT INTO THAT.”

Truth.

“UMMM, NO. MY MOM (OR DAD) WOULD FREAK OUT AND I’M REALLY NOT TRYNA DEAL WITH THAT.”

Yes, your parents would freak out. Plus, this reason takes the pressure off of you and puts it on someone else.

“NOPE. MY FRIEND [OR RELATIVE, SOMEONE I KNEW, ETC.] OVERDOSED AND DIED.”

Nothing like injecting a little bit of harsh reality into the convo. Not to mention, with tens of thousands of people overdosing and dying each year, many people can relate to either losing or almost losing a loved one to drugs.

“AW MAN, I CAN’T. MY JOB COULD DO A RANDOM DRUG TEST.”

Technically, your job could do random drug tests (it’s legal). Or, if you don’t have a job yet, you could be applying to one in the near future that would require you to pass a drug test before they hire you.

“OH. NO THANKS. I HAVE TO GO HOME (OR TO WORK, CHURCH, A DATE, ETC.) SOON AND I DON’T WANT TO LOOK HIGH.”

Completely true. Who actually wants to go anywhere looking like they’re high?

“NO.” OR “NO, THANKS.” OR “NAH, I’M GOOD.”

Alas, sometimes it’s best to keep it simple and to the point.

While all of these are completely reasonable excuses, it’s probably best to just to avoid people who are constantly trying to get you to do drugs.

Reprinted from justhinktwice.gov.