Never Drink Alcohol, Saaxiib

Drinking has always been a problem for teenagers, particularly for the past few years. Research shows that over 60% of high school seniors drink at least once a week, although the law does not make drinking legal until age 21.
In reality, kids are drinking at increasingly younger ages. The question is why do teens use alcohol when they know it's orbidden?. It is very hard to come up with one common answer, but let's read what I think about the problem.

Students, including muslim students, give various reasons; with most saying they drink for enjoyment, to be accepted by friends, to forget problems, and to reduce stress in their lives.

During my sophomore year at Ramussen collge, there was a friend of mine named Yoonis who was different from everyone else. Gifted with a photographic memory, he concentrated all his time to study and helped out other people.

Including his looks and being favored by all of his teachers, he was sure that he would be very popular and well-known at the college. Unfortunately, Yoonis found it was very shocking to learn that he was despised by all the football and basketball players whom he longed to befriend with.

Never been so disappointed in life, he went out for a walk; suddenly, the idea of drinking just popped into his tiny head. For once, everything seemed so bright again as if Yoonis found a fortune, he had finally known the solution how to fit into the crowd and become the most popular guy in school.

After following the other students’ ideas to drink and use drugs, he ruined himself by partying out all night. His goal of going to Harvard started to fade away and was slowly replaced by the urge to have a few cups of beer everyday.

Instead of choosing a better path by using his talents, he chose to live more idly rather than going to a well-known university. Many students, favoring lying on their backs and drinking, became worthless individuals.

Other teenagers, on the contrary, pushed themselves to the edge of their limits; caused themselves more stress than they can manage, turned to alcohol to relieve their worries, and hoped for their friends’ acceptance. Yoonis, as muslim, knew that all kind of alcohol and drugs are haram and that did not stop him using whatever he wants.

Masara, my Oromo friend, had such a promising future until she began drinking. Being a role model and an outstanding student in school, she was loved by many friends and family. To be able to pay for her education, she had to work part time while being a full time student.

Overwhelmed with work and study, she was always stressed out about everything. Every time Masara came over to my house, she always rushed things and tried to finish her homework, so she can get to work in time. Due to the fact that she did not receive enough sleep at night, Masara always had bags under her eyes.

As time flew by, she became tired of school and work, so she told her friend Christine, and American girl, to take her to a club to drink the night away. Christine, as a drinker herself, persuaded Masara that drinking was the only solution to relieve stress.

Ignoring her conscience, Masara decided to try a can. At first, it tasted awful; however, she felt a little relax and her stress began to ease away. Each day, Masara consumed a little bit more until she became addicted. Therefore, her grades began to drop steadily, and she rarely showed up to work.

While partying with her friend, she passed out from too much drinking. As a result, she was taken to the hospital for intoxication. One of her other friends drank heavily, and I just realized the damaging effect that alcohol can bring to our lives.

Many mulsims in an America know how to drink, Farah, a well respected Somali dad, was not an exception. Rather than bringing a paycheck home, he wasted all his money on alcohol. Farah rarely stayed home and spent time with kids; he mostly devoted his leisure time at the bar or at his friend's house drinking and gambling.

Every time he came home, which was usually very late at night, he just plopped onto the couch and waited for dinner; in his hand was a can of beer. Instead of teaching his kids not to drink alcohol like ordinary parents would do, he ignored his responsibilities and made himself into very bad role-model.

Not only did he ruin his life and family, he also placed himself in danger. After witnessing what happened to Farah, I gained the courage to stand up for my muslim friends and deny the persuasive forces of their peers.

Seeing how alcoholism has affected Yoonis, Masara, and Farah, I strongly disagree that drinking is supposed to give us a safe escape from life. Kaboho, an Ugandan, taught her young daughter how to drink safely, so when she grows up she could have control over herself.

However, from my experience, what would happen if Farah taught his kids how to drink, would they have control over themselves? In my opinion, I don't think they could. Unlike Kaboho, many Somali moms have taught their kids the effects of drugs and alcohol which were that they not only damaged our body but also our lives, minds, spirits, and finally it is haram.

Teenagers, desiring to be accepted into the popular group of friends and yearning to forget their worries, turn to alcohol to satisfy themselves. However, alcohol does not make them special nor does it relieve their worries.

Farah, Yoonis, and Masar's experiences helped my other friends see the effects of alcohol and the consequences of excessive drinking. Being at a time where they need to feel acceptance and control, teenagers choose to drink, believing that it will not only free them from parental dictation, but also gain them the approval of their peers.

However, their choice does not show their independence because they are really following their peers' influence. Instead of enabling themselves to get away from their worries, they create more problems for themselves. With all the troubles that I know drinking cause, I, as a true muslim, will never turn to alcohol for any solutions to my problems.