Young people are often drawn to the dangerous and illicit. But many of those same people don't know of a place where they can openly discuss their concerns regarding the social and medical risks they are thrusting upon themselves. This void in communication is where CEASE is chipping away at the stigma and aims to create an environment where every question is important.

The Creating Empowerment through Alcohol and Substance Abuse Education program, better known as CEASE, held their 8th annual Blurred Lines discussion, an informational panel talk on Monday, March 9 in the Richard Oakes Community Center in the Caesar Chavez Center.

Approximately 50 people attended the taboo-driven discussion. Bita Shooshani, a director in the CEASE program, opened the event by introducing the five panelists and discussing the focus of the gathering.

Attendees participated an interactive game labeled Drug Jeopardy. Questions ranged from drug facts and classification to campus rules. Groups worked together to answer the question and the teamwork paid off -- most of the responses from the teams were correct.

One such question posed to the audience was whether medical marijuana is allowed on SF State's campus. The answer is no -- even medicinal cannabis is not permitted on property.

Each of the panelists, all of which were current SF State students, openly discussed the arc of their struggle with drugs and anecdotes on the effects drugs had on their lives.

Paul Sladek was among several people that shared their drug history. Sladek spoke about his experience with Oxycontin and how he went through several types of rehabilitation to finally achieve sobriety today.

"I think it's most important to note how people who have overcome don't use it anymore and how they deal with, that's something that needs to be educated to people. How to live sober," Sladek said.

The panelists went on to discuss how their peers' actions affected them and their addiction. Taryn Cook's was greatly affected by the death of her parents who were killed by a drunk driver. Another panelist who wished to keep his last name out of publication, Steve, was misled into using ecstasy by a long-time partner.

"What I learned was, don't believe what you're told, you know, find out for yourself. I mean how do you know what you know?" said Steve.

"I think in this group especially, I was moved by people sharing their personal experiences," Shooshani said, "I liked to see the room full and people standing. It makes me feel really good to know that there is interest."