We came across the www.checkyourself.org site after seeing advertisements for it on TV. It's a good "mirror" to look into. There are short quizzes one can take related to alcohol, marijuana and other drug uses and the answer, based on your responses, comes back as you soon as you click the submit button.

The Moments of Truth section of the site is a forum for visitors to read what others have posted and add their own comments to it. The site is meant for teens to log on and interact though we saw a post from a 32 year old in there. As with all forums, beware when you participate. Don't use your own name or post in any way that would identify yourself (i.e., place you live, school you go to, etc). The stories are a kaleidoscope, instances where drug/alcohol use changed a life, in some cases permanently. "I went swimming with my friends that were all messed up and this girl didn't really know what she was doing cause she was high... she jumped off the tire swing and broke her neck... now she goes around in a wheelchair."

The Games section offers different scenarios with decisions you can make during each. Your choices determine the next slide that comes up, the results of your actions. Realistically scripted these scenarios would provide excellent conversation starters between teens and hopefully between them and their parents.

The Stories section of the site is excellent. There are short vignettes to watch, stories to read and, movies to watch. The words from "In Their Shoes," hit hard, especially if you or anyone you know has been involved in drug and/or alcohol abuse. They ring true. They are true:

• "It's a weird feeling to see how your best friends walk on the other side of the street when they see you coming."
• "It's really sad, to see my brother in the state he's in...last time I saw him he was in a state of paranoia...it was just horrible to see...brought home to me this problem. It's taken over a part of his mind. He's addicted."
• "From today on I want to be somebody who my younger brother can look up to, that my mom can be proud of."

The site offers a resource section more information available on various drugs, a glossary of drug and alcohol related terms and links to finding treatment centers and further question and answer section.

You can also tell others about the site using the e-cards, stickers, web-banners and posters available online.

CheckYourself.com is "a unique resource. It’s a place for older teens to think in a focused way about their relationship with drugs and alcohol, and invites them to consider whether their substance use risks turning into a problem for them." The Partnership for a Drug-Free America provides support for the site.