I was angry, out of control and only cared about getting high until overdosing finally pushed me to get clean.
I used to be this polite girl—so nice people would take advantage of me. After I started using meth I completely changed. Every day I was fighting people (mostly guys). My knuckles were always bloody. I also wasn’t taking care of myself. I wasn’t eating. I was really skinny. I was like an empty skeleton roaming the world, just taking up space.
Lia, 16, says recognizing our prejudices will help us eliminate them.
Before Daisy's favorite teacher died, he challenged her to think for herself and encouraged her to pursue her dreams.
Francisco Sandoval, 16, of Nogales HS created this comic about joining the cross country team.
Wendy, 16, used to hate having diabetes, but she's grown to accept her disease.
Staying close to home and taking the bus are ways L.A. Youth writers survived gas prices.
Sam, 15, took a figure drawing class.
L.A. Youth wants to know about your experiences with violence in your school and community.
It was worth the struggle for Ernesto, 16, to make friends, even though he still likes spending time alone.
Kevin and his friends found ways to have fun in their small town. WITH PHOTO GALLERY.
Shannon, 18, used to hate reading, but once she found books that she was interested in, she realized that there are fascinating new worlds to explore.
A teen spent four years on skid row, just blocks away from and in the shadows of high-rise buildings and prosperity. Reprinted from 2006 as part of L.A. Youth's 20th anniversary highlighting our best stories.
Visiting the Grand Canyon was a great escape from 14-year-old Jabbar’s South L.A. neighborhood.
L.A. Youth staff writers create playlists to help us enjoy the summer.