LYNN – The constant battle to veer teens away from the allure of drugs and alcohol is one that peer leaders from Girls Inc. fight every day.Whether it’s coaxing their friends to stand up to peer pressures, or taking a stand against drugs and alcohol, the teens shared their stories with area leaders on Tuesday, and spoke about the importance of brainstorming creative strategies to ward off substance abuse.”I have a friend who smoked marijuana, did prescription drugs and became pregnant while intoxicated,” said peer leader Carissa Sacherski. “Now she has a baby and is still smoking marijuana. This is the reason I get so antsy about doing outreach because teens need to know about situations like this.”Several of those outreach programs include, “Friendly PEERsuasion,” “La Verdad” (The Truth), and “HALT” (Harmony Among Lynn Teens), which aim to provide information and develop girls’ skills to resist pressure to use alcohol, tobacco, household chemicals and other drugs.”I think they definitely listen to us as peer leaders,” Sacherski said. “They have the perception that everyone’s doing it, and the thing is, everyone’s not doing it.”In an effort to get their message out, the group has worked closely with the Lynn police department and the city’s Licensing Board through “sticker shock” and “shoulder tap” initiatives, where peer leaders have educated residents and liquor store owners about the laws and consequences of selling or buying alcohol to those under 21.As a result, Lynn police chief Kevin Coppinger said the department is grateful for their help and continued involvement.”Look at substance abusers of alcohol or drugs? there aren’t a lot of old addicts out there. Most of them die young for a number of reasons,” he said. “Because of that, we are firm believers in prevention. We’re trying to get school resource officers back in the schools next year and we have to start targeting kids at younger and younger ages.”The need for additional resources at the school level frequently popped up in conversation during the meeting, with the peer leaders expressing frustration that not enough is being taught in health classes regarding substance abuse.”I’m taking health classes now and I haven’t learned anything about drugs, alcohol or sex,” said peer leader Arantza Guillen. “Teens don’t get educated enough and that is why they are doing these (substance abuse) things. Resources are what we need.”The teens are currently collaborating with the Lynn public schools and others in the city on the Prom Initiative 2011, which provides reduced-price prom tickets to parents who attend a workshop to learn about the social host liability law, post-prom alternative activities and tips to talk with their children about underage drinking and substance abuse.