<p>I want to touch on how I fell into peer pressure, but is mentioning drugs in any way unacceptable? I live in an urban area and I want to explain how kids become victims in their environments. I had friends who did drugs and I want to state, "Even I began to indulge in things that contradicted my beliefs." Or should I steer away from including any of this in my essay? I want to show that I am self-disciplined in a way.</p>
<p>Yes, drugs are inappropriate.</p>
<p>I would even suggest that your approach is off-putting to colleges. While we are all “victims of our environments” to some degree, colleges want to see that you rose above that. In addition, will you just blend in with the students at your college, or will you be yourself and not fall into peer pressure?</p>
<p>My essay is initially about rising above several negative aspects in my community, with teen substance abuse as a prime example. Having already fell into peer pressure at a young age, I wanted my essay to show the numerous lessons I have learned.</p>
<p>I also suggest that you pick another topic for a college essay. If I were in admissions, I’d think if you were self-disciplined, then you wouldn’t have taken any drug to begin with. Pick another situation that shows your strengths to colleges.</p>
<p>Hope this helps. : )</p>
<p>If you are going to touch on your using drugs then it is a huge no. Sorry but it is just that way. To much of a landmine. If you are in an environment where drugs are a cycle and people get caught up in poverty and drug use I can see that it might be central to your identity in that you had to live in that environment. But if you are middle class and talking about dabbling and recreational use I’d steer clear.</p>
<p>There is a famous story about an incident with accepting a pot brownie and a 1 day suspension that was written about well in one kid’s essay in the book The Gatekeepers. The college guidance officer had a hell of a time trying to get that student body president into one of her college choices. (admittedly reachy choices)</p>
<p>Anything illegal is a no no.</p>