Claire’s parents had left her home alone for the first time, aged 15. While they made her promise not to host any wild parties in their absence, they did agree that she could invite a few of her girlfriends round for a sleepover. Happy with this compromise, Claire invited a group of her friends, bought a freezer-full of pizza and ice cream, and rented a couple of the latest DVDs for the slumber party.

Eight of her friends arrived, sleeping bags in hand, along with a couple of other girls who were friends-of-friends. One of them, Imogen, quickly voiced her opinion that Claire’s get together was ‘a bit lame’, and suggested they should spice things up a little. Unpacking her rucksack, she produced two large bottles of Jack Daniels, and a bag of marijuana.

Imogen rolled several joints, and began passing them around the wide-eyed group of girls. Under pressure from her friends, Claire smoked some. At first, it had little effect, but after a couple of puffs, things changed. Her head began to spin, and combined with the effects of the alcohol, the drugs soon caused her to be physically sick in the middle of the room.

The mood of the party was ruined, and Claire was distraught. Imogen laughed at her for being a ‘lightweight’, and the rest of her friends teased her for giving in too easily to peer pressure. When her parents arrived home a few days later, they didn’t find any trace of drink, drugs or Claire’s regurgitated pizza. Still, their daughter was overcome with feelings of guilt, and desperately wished she’d been stronger.

·         What are your views on drug use? What’s ok to take, and what’s not? Does it matter how old you are?

·         Who do you think you are most like in the story – Claire, Imogen, or one of the other friends? Explain your answer.

·         Do you think Claire was too hard on herself? Why or why not?