This post is sponsored by Be Above Drugs // All opinions are mine.

Be Above Drugs (BAD) aim to help people make the personal decision early in life to not do drugs and to be proud of that decision.  They also support the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, and hope to eventually partner with schools across the country to host BAD 5K Walks/Runs in an effort to raise more awareness and additional funds for prevention efforts. I mean isn’t this such a great cause?

Growing up drugs was never something that myself or any of my family members and friends associated with much less used, in fact typing this sentence is painful for me. But, that is not to say I have never been around drugs. To tell you just how painful it is for me to write this post, I want to share a story with you.

When I was in my 20s living in Miami working as model and waiting tables on the side, I met some friends and they were from Boston (I won’t share their names), but anyway, they were such cool kids. We loved hanging out with a bunch of our friends on the beach, having a good time. One day, they invited me to their apartment for a house party. I was told it was just a bunch of friends hanging out. So, I said sure, I’ll go and I went to the party. At first glance it looked like just a regular party with kids my age, hanging out, talking, drinking, eating and looking out to the bay and enjoying ourselves. I remember I had barely had half of my beer when I couldn’t find my girlfriend (the one who invited me to the party w/her boyfriend), so naturally I asked her boyfriend where she was, and he said she might be in the bedroom and to go check there so I did.

When I walked into the room, I remember seeing about 3-4 people huddled together and there was this white stuff on the table and to be honest I am still shocked that I didn’t pass out from shock. I think one of them even offered me to join and I just shook my head no and said sorry quickly, closed the door and without any hesitation walked towards the front door where the shoes were, grabbed my things and walked out of the apartment and I never saw or talked to them ever again. They called/text me several times to see if I was okay, but I refused to answer, I blocked their numbers and never looked back.

The point of this story is that drugs is not cool and if you know friends that use drugs you should not hang out with them or give them the honor of calling them your friend because that’s just not cool! It’s just not cool to use or be around those who do and that is the message that BAD is trying to help spread to young kids. Being able to make the decision early on in life to say no to drugs is a powerful thing and I am happy to help support the cause. My parents have always taught us about the negative impact of drugs and it just wasn’t something we even think about at all. From an early age I knew instinctively that drugs was just something that I did NOT want to associate myself with or do (yuck!) and I’m so glad that it just wasn’t me. And it is something that I plan to pass along to my daughter to let her know that just being herself is cool, to always say no to drugs, and to Be Above Drugs.

Be Above Drugs (BAD) gifted us with these sweatshirts, tote bag, and wristbands (not pictured) to help spread their message of drug-free kids.

On Little A
Circle Anti-Drug Sweatshirt, size S; color: Red

On me
BAD Anti-Drug Hoodie, size 2XL; Black

Cityscape Drug Free Tote; Black

Visit their website to learn more about Be Above Drugs (BAD) and to shop their products to support their cause. You can also find them on Instagram @BeAboveDrugs.