My name is Kalieyah. I'm 18 and a high school senior in Seattle. I am interested in pursuing a career in psychology and social work; I will counsel children and teens with mental illness and substance use disorders. I plan to open a series of national community centers to help get kids off the streets and give them somewhere to go. I hold a strong belief that there needs to be more education on substance use and how to both avoid it and assist others in their recovery. Unfortunately, many young people start using and abusing drugs to cope with life stressors or trauma and are never able to break the cycle they have entered. Substance use disorder is a serious condition and education about it in school curriculums would help to normalize the issue and draw awareness to it. It not only affects the people struggling but ripples out to everyone around them and those in the communities. I have many friends that I've watched become addicted to various substances. The fentanyl epidemic in Washinton state has taken a toll on youth here. Many people have either gotten laced or knowingly begun using or taking "blues" or fake per costs. Unfortunately, many students have become hooked on various drugs and developed addictive tendencies that caused many people around me to change or stop progressing positively. One of my friends that lost his battle took his own life and his sisters while using. I have seen the good in people struggling as well as the bad that tries to kill them. It is heartbreaking to watch someone you once knew to be so successful, beautiful, and/ or bright fall into substance use and lose themselves completely. I hate to watch people I know or love fall down or throw away their hard work so I aim to help them find care or treatment, and progress and recover. Education on substances, substance use and other options to replace drug use is extremely important as people are dying every day and youth are normalizing substance dependence. I want to help people recover by teaching about the use of substances and substance disorder, as well as addiction and breaking the cycle of both addiction and dependency on drugs from all aspects. This plan starts with education on what's going on, why encouraging this behavior is wrong, how to help others you see struggling, where to find resources for you or those around you and more. I hope to make a positive impact on others and society as a whole by helping to aid in recovery and present other coping options for those struggling with substance use disorders.